By Edward Chaykovsky
Manchester legend Ricky Hatton believes IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (36-0, 25KOs) has taken a step too far when it comes to his upcoming fight.
Brook will move up by thirteen pounds to challenge IBF/WBC/WBA/IBO middleweight world champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs) at the O2 Arena in London.
Hatton remembers his own short-comings when it comes to moving up in weight to face a pound-for-pound talent, when he jumped from junior welterweight to welterweight and got knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007.
Brook has missed out on the big fights in recent years. He's watched fighters like Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman brush his advances to the side - so Hatton doesn't blame him for moving up in weight for a very handsome payday.
Hatton will support him from ringside, but feels it's too much for the Sheffield fighter.
Hatton told The Sun: “You have to give Kell credit for taking such a big fight. A lot of people would probably turn it down but he’s gone for it.
“I hope he does it, but Golovkin is a punching machine. Kell will have some success, he’s a big hitter and a good boxer, but you think size will tell. He has to use his boxing ability. He has to use a lot of movement and has to hit GGG hard. If you pitter-patter, pitter-patter he’s gonna get you. It will be a very tough ask.”
"People have wanted him to fight the Amir Khans, the big names, and now one of the biggest in boxing has come forward so why wouldn’t he take it? Kell has been watching the parade go by a little bit. Khan hasn’t come off, Manny Pacquaio or Floyd Mayweather didn’t happen either. Once you become a champion, you get a few quid in the bank and want to test yourself.
