Kell Brook fights for the first time under the Matchroom banner when he meets South Africa's Lovemore N'dou at Hillsborough leisure centre, Sheffield on June 25. Brook, 25, has not boxed in 'The Steel City' since posting a point's win over the late Ernie Smith on 15th May 2005. 'Special K' told me that his homecoming fight has lit a fire under him, news that the WBA have moved him up to number six and placed their International welterweight title on the line has further boosted Kell, birth name Ezekiel.
“I haven't boxed in Sheffield since 2005 and can't wait to box there again, it will be amazing. Lovemore has never been stopped, he's durable and tough but I aim to stop him and am looking forward to it,” beamed Brook.
“I am over the moon with things. I'm number six with the WBA and have a tough step up on my hands. Regardless of whether I get the stoppage, this will be the best performance of my career in front of my screaming Sheffield fans.”
The former British and WBO Inter-Continental titlist has never been beyond seven rounds. Brook
wants to hand Lovemore his first stoppage reverse in 62 fights, 48-12-2 (31); he thinks the Australia-based 'Black Panther' will present him with the perfect opportunity to showcase his talents.
“I'd like to get it in the last minute of the twelfth so the fans get a great fight. But if the stoppage comes early then I'll take it. He's an ex-world champion himself and has been in with the best, he brings a lot to the table,” says Brook, who is happy to leave the pre-fight homework to his knowledgeable trainer Dominic Ingle.
He said, “I don't watch the tapes. Dominic looks at them and of course Junior Witter has fought Lovemore [a point's win in 2005] so we'll look at it as a team. I might watch an odd round but we know all about him. Other than that, once you get in that ring with me I'll soon figure you out. I will have the fitness to stop him late. If I need the twelve rounds I'll do what I have to do to get them.”
Brook has stopped 16 of his 23 opponents, telling me that he works hard ahead of every fight and takes his opponents seriously. “No,” he answered to my question of whether he has ever taken his eye off the ball, “because I train for twelve rounds for every fight. When I get in there I seem to play with guys with ease and dominate. When I've got a challenge in front of me you'll see the best of Kell Brook.
“All this stuff about the WBA and world titles is music to my ears because I've wanted a world title for a while and know that [promoter] Eddie [Hearn] can deliver. He's only young himself, it would be good for him and Matchroom to get me to the world belts so I know he'll endeavour to do it.”
Light-welterweight WBA titlist Amir Khan is currently engaged in a Twitter war with IBF boss Zab Judah. 'Super' Zab dismissed 'King' Khan earlier this week; the Brooklyner wanted Manny Pacquiao but may now opt for Amir as Manny looks to have secured a third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Kell, though, feels that Amir is destined for 147lbs and that he has the tools to replicate Breidis Prescott's chilling KO win over his Lancashire rival.
“If I hit Amir, let me tell you, he's getting knocked out, no doubt. I need to be a world champion when he comes up in weight so we can have a big British showdown in England. That is what the fans would love. I want it so let's hope it happen,” mused Brook.
“Honestly, Amir's a very talented fighter with fast hands, decent power and a good engine but I believe I've got his number. My accuracy and power would eventually catch up with him – I'd tag him and knock him out.”
Brook snubbed the advances of Golden Boy to sign with Matchroom. Indeed, Oscar De La Hoya has told the Hearns that he is keen to work with Kell should they take their new charge over to the US. Kell feels that his new team will provide him the titles he craves, telling me that he intends to move through the weights, picking up belts as he goes along.
“I am staying at 147 for a while to make my name but once I've mopped up here I can go to light-middle, middle, wherever there's an opportunity to get belts and fights that Matchroom can make for me. I am not hunting Khan down but if he moves up in weight I'm there for him, hopefully as a world champion – I want it,” he reiterated.
Eddie Hearn echoed Kell's optimism, citing the WBA ranking and International title chance as a vital step on Kell's path to the world title. “Kell is now number six with the WBA, that is an avenue we're looking at and I'm very pleased to have signed Kell Brook,” he enthused.
“I am over the moon because when you take on a fighter you want to show them you've got the power to do things for them. We've shown Kell that we can make things happen. The WBA is one of the most long-standing bodies in the sport. Hopefully a win over Lovemore can push Kell further up their rankings.”
Hearn shares Brook's views on Khan. Claiming that Amir will move up in weight and that Brook will have a title, a Sheffield buzz and a busy schedule in his favour should the two clash. Saying, “We know Amir will come up in weight so when he does we want Kell as world champion and waiting for him. Kell will be out in Sheffield and then out again in October or November, hopefully for a world championship.
“It is common sense to put Kell on in Sheffield, he is from there and the people love him – it is not rocket science. This is a test, a buzz for him and a chance to show things to people. This guy [N'dou] is not a Muppet so Kell can't go out there looking for a KO. But when N'dou does feel the power he'll realise that no one punches quite like Kell Brook does.”
Rob McCracken knows a thing or two about boxing talent. The Birmingham-based trainer was a clever boxer in his day; he brought home British and Commonwealth titles, at light-middle and middleweight respectively, and unsuccessfully challenged Keith Holmes for the WBC 160lb title in 2000. McCracken coaches Carl 'The Cobra' Froch; he believes that Brook ranks amongst the most talented pugilists he has seen.
“Kell is the best talent I've seen in British boxing,” revealed McCracken. “I don't know Kell but I'll say to him if he lives the life then the sky is the limit for him as he's a tremendous talent and will go onto great things.
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