By Tom Gray. We all know the process by now.

  A good fight gets mooted and everyone gets excited. Before a contract is drafted we need to consider the relationship between rival promoters, network issues, 50/50 splits and a partridge in a boxing ring.

  On Saturday Kell Brook iced a contender named Hector David Saldivia, with a jab no less, in an IBF welterweight title eliminator. The Sheffield star was impressive in the main event but didn’t show half of what he is capable of and barely required a shower.

  Still, regardless of Saldivia’s short comings the fight drew big numbers on Sky Sports and the venue, which holds roughly 14,000 people, was packed to capacity.

  Approximately five hours after Brook thumped Saldivia the IBF titlist, Randall Bailey, was getting ready to defend against talented southpaw, Devon Alexander.

  Bailey, thirty eight years old, forgot to bring his tools to the job, landed less than forty five punches (according to Compubox) and pissed off 99.9% of a Brooklyn crowd who booed incessantly for the twelve round duration.

  Alexander, the former junior welterweight champion, has probably endured tougher saunas but anyway, he relieved Bailey of his crown and is due to meet Brook in his first title defence.  

So what is the problem this time? What could be making the boxing fraternity throw their gloves out the pram?  

Is there an issue between promoters? Nope, Golden Boy (Alexander) and Matchroom (Brook) have worked together before.  

Is there a network problem? Nope, Brook has been shown exclusively in the UK and a deal could likely be struck with any US network.  

Is someone bitching about getting 50%? Nope, Alexander is due purse parity as he has what Brook wants.  

No the issue on this occasion is travel.

  Alexander’s trainer, Kevin Cunningham, has said that his man is open to fighting Brook but it must happen Stateside. Understandable, to a degree, as his fighter holds the belt but let’s look deeper here.  

Shout as loud as you can if you believe Devon Alexander is the best welterweight in the world.  

Silence!

  Alexander holds a title belt but is far from being top of The Welter Skelter. He is an excellent technician but the 147lb division boasts a plethora of elite level talent and the St. Louis native is lucky if he makes the top five.

Kell Brook is in the same position bur let’s take a look at the location choice from a common sense point of view before pulling rank.  

Brook is a huge star in the UK and Alexander isn’t in the US. The fight sells out a twenty thousand seat arena in in the UK and it doesn’t in the US. The fight is an event in the UK and it isn’t in the US. The fight generates big money in the UK and it doesn’t in the US.  

Ultimately, the fight is good for the sport if it’s held in the UK and it isn’t if it’s held in the US.  

Oh, but Devon is the champion!  

Diddums!  

There are those who say Brook must prove his worth by traveling overseas but how many times has Alexander swung a professional punch outside North America?  

I’ll give you a hint! Never!

SecondsOut.com to Doghouse Boxing.