Kell Brook v Gennady Golovkin: Carl Froch and Matthew Macklin explain how Brit could cause a shock at London’s O2 Arena
KELL BROOK has been given TWO masterplans to help him pull off one of the greatest shocks in boxing history.
The only problem is they are completely different.
Britain’s IBF welterweight champ, 30, is jumping up two divisions to tackle awesome undefeated world middleweight king Gennady Golovkin at London’s O2 Arena tonight.
Kazakhstan-born Golovkin, 34, boasts a frightening 32 KOs from 35 fights as he puts his WBC and IBF belts on the line.
However, Britain’s former world super-middleweight champ Carl Froch and three-time world-title challenger Matthew Macklin both hope Brook can win.
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But while Macklin, who was KO’d in three rounds by Golovkin in June 2013, insists Brook’s best chance is to have a six-round tear-up, Froch claims staying out of trouble during the 12 rounds and winning on points is the only way.
Retired Macklin, 34, said: “You have to change things up and give a different look in each round. Kell has good variety and can switch, he’s a very good fighter. Whether he can do it effectively for long enough remains to be seen.
“If I was in his corner, I’d say it was a six-round fight and go for it. That’s probably his best chance of gaining real success.
“He’s got the edge in speed and has good power. He also hasn’t had to worry as much about cutting weight, so can really throw the kitchen sink in without worrying about hitting a wall or pacing it.
“Usually fast fighters have the advantage early on because speed can be a bit mesmerising until you get used to it.
“As the rounds go on, that real speed leaves them a little bit, the sting goes a bit and the opponent starts to get the timing. That’s when physical strength becomes more of an advantage.
“I wouldn’t look at it as a 12-round fight and would tell him to absolutely go for it.
“I would be shocked if he can outbox Gennady and sustain it for 12 rounds.”
In contrast, Froch, 39, reckons Brook should keep moving in the hope of winning on points.
He said: “Kell is going to have to box and move, not get involved.
“He’s got to be awkward, use his range, speed, feet — it’s basically smash and grab.
“In a six-round swing up, you’re getting hit on the chin. If you employ those tactics, you’re going to get caught by a monster puncher and it’s going to end in tears.
“It’s difficult to look past Kell getting knocked out but you can see what he could do to win.
“He’s a big lad. If he takes a bit of power up, he could pull it off if he’s able to withstand Golovkin’s assaults.
“Kell’s an unbeaten fighter, a world champion and is very classy, skilful and talented. I’ve sparred him before and can testify he has a lot of natural ability.
“It’s not all about power because he is a very, very good boxer, a good technician, has a great jab and great distance and timing.
“I think he’ll rise to the occasion. I believe he’ll look across that ring and think ‘Right, I’ve nowhere to go now but forward. I’ve got to go and try to win this’.
“He’s got as good a chance as anybody going up from welterweight to middleweight.”
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