Kell Brook is just 34-years-old, but many are questioning whether or not the former IBF welterweight champion is close to cashing out ahead of his fight against Terence Crawford Saturday night on ESPN.
The 16-year-veteran Brook (39-2, 27 KOs) made his best attempt to calm any qualms observers may have heading into his daunting task ahead one of the sport’s pound for pound best in Crawford (36-0, 27 KOs).
“You’re going to see what I’ve got left, and trust me, I’ve got plenty left,” Brook told Brian Campbell on the CBS Sports show “Morning Kombat.” “I’m ready to rock and roll.
“I hope so because if [Crawford] takes me lightly, he’s in for a rude awakening on the 14th, trust me, because I’m coming to bring it. I’m bringing it heavily. I’ve done everything asked of me in training. I’m ready, super-fit, and super strong, and I’m ready to dethrone the pound-for-pound king in boxing. I’m ready.”
There are many changes happening all at once for Brook during the twilight of his career.
In addition to parting ways with promoter Eddie Hearn in an ugly spat that spilled into the headlines, Carlos Pimento has replaced Dominic Ingle as the trainer for the fight. Ingle refused to work with Brook because he was wary of travel risk related to the pandemic, and due to a lack of notice.
Pimento will be tasked with helping Brook drop down in weight. Brook’s last fight was contested at 154 pounds, a KO win over Mark Deluca in February.
Brook said he would retire if he lost to Deluca, but he’s not making any such overtures for Crawford, as he hopes to hand the Nebraska native his first career loss, and perhaps land the upset of the year.
Brook will have a one-inch height advantage but give up five inches in reach. The 33-year-old, WBO welterweight champion should surely show superior speed as well once they meet in the ring.
“I can’t put it into words what it’ll be like — to beat the pound-for-pound fighter, the best fighter in the world, to become a two-time world champion,” said Brook.
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist and member of the Boxing Writers Assn. of America since 2011. He has written for the likes of the LA Times, Guardian, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Men’s Health and NFL.com. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan or via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com.
