Brook ready for step-up in class and is confident that he will deliver in California…
Ahead of the biggest night of his boxing career, Kell Brook is confident that he can take the IBF welterweight world title from unbeaten American Shawn “Showtime” Porter on Saturday night.
Brook (32-0-0) has been in supremely confident mood all week in California and has insisted that he will produce the best performance of his career when it matters most.
The 28-year-old has been forced to bide his time for a title shot after various injuries curtailed a possible meeting with Devon Alexander last year, but his time has now arrived and the Sheffield-born fighter is adamant that he will not let it pass him by.
After the scare against Carson Jones in their first meeting, Brook has been emphatic since and appears to be in fantastic shape for his clash with Porter, but it will be vital that he gets off to good start in the fight and doesn’t allow his opponent to settle into his rhythm early on.
Much has been made of Porter’s strength and power, particularly after his stunning four-round demolition of Paulie Malignaggi last time out, and his bullying tactics with which he pounces on his opponents and rushes them could cause any boxer problems.
However, Brook is arguably technically more gifted in the sense that he is more than capable of out-boxing Porter, and given that he is also fit, has speed and can move, he has all the tools required to cause the American problems.
Provided he isn’t drawn into a dog-fight, something that he insists he will be comfortable with, Brook must move around the ring and produce a smart display which will ultimately secure him a points win. Nevertheless, that is of course easier said than done, and if Porter lands some big shots early, then the complexion of the fight could drastically change.
There is also the pressure factor given that Brook hasn’t performed at this level, in America, before. He believes that he will relish the atmosphere and occasion and it will bring out the best in him, and it is vital that is the case as if he freezes on the night, he could be in trouble.
Porter is an improving fighter that will be in the mix with the likes of Floyd Mayweather in years to come if he continues on his current trajectory and looks equally as good as in his last two fights. However, Brook has promised to “go through gears that the fans haven’t seen before” and it is very much a possibility that there will be another British world champion come Saturday night.
Prediction: Kell Brook to win on points.
Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 at 2am, with the undercard also featuring the likes of Deontay Wilder, Callum Smith, Luke Campbell and the WBC super-middleweight bout between Sakio Bika and Anthony Dirrell.
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