As WBN exclusively reported yesterday, Purdy entered immediate talks with Alexander’s people after number three contender Kevin Bizier spurned the opportunity to replace original mandatory challenger Kell Brook.
Brook, who is also part of Hearn’s stable, suffered an injury in training last week and is unable to fulfil his obligation, although Purdy could now set up an all-British world title clash if he can pull off what would be an massive upset against the American next month.
“It is funny how things turn out as Lee Purdy will challenge Devon Alexander for the IBF world title on May 18 in Atlantic City,” said Hearn.
“And Kell Brook will remain number one mandatory challenger with the IBF, so who fancies Purdy v Brook in September for the IBF strap!”
25 year-old Purdy has been defeated in three of his 24 outings so far, losing to Peter McDonagh, Denton Vassell and more recently Colin Lynes, but has stopped his last four in a row to gain recognition within the IBF.
The Colchester man will go into the contest at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City as a huge underdog though, with Hearn now ironically set to carry out the pre-fight duties that were meant for Kell Brook – in a strange twist to the eventful Alexander v Brook saga.
