Kell Brook, A Man Among Boyz
By Ralph Rimpell
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 14 Jul 2016
On or about the first week of February 2016, British fighter and former world champion Amir Kahn announced he had signed to fight Canelo Alvarez on May 7, 2016. It definitely surprised the boxing world because Kahn fights in the welterweight (147lb) division and Canelo who at that time was the WBC (160lb) middle weight champion. It was no secret that Kahn had been openly campaigning for a mega fight with Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao for the past couple of years to no avail. So when the Canelo fight was offered to Kahn he accepted. Before the fight one could calculate that Kahn?s keys to victory would be to box, good movement, speed, and add as much muscle to his frame prior to the match. Much the same way Michael Spinks did when he moved from light heavyweight heavy weight to challenge Larry Holmes back in 1985, which Spinks won. Sad to say, Kahn lost by 6 round brutal KO to Canelo. Much like Kahn, IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook was also looking for a mega fight. There were no known offers to fight Mayweather or Pacquiao. Brook?s people reached to Kahn?s camp, but instead Kahn opted to fight Canelo for reportedly less money than fight Brook who like Kahn is also from the UK. Who is Kell Brook?
Kell Brook is the welterweight champion of the world (147lbs) for the IBF. His counterparts are WBC champion Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman is the WBA Champion, and Jessie Vargas represents the WBO. Brook came to prominence when he defeated former champion Shawn Porter back in 2014. Since then he has defended his crown 3 times while looking for that elusive super fight. Brook is currently undefeated and boasts a record of 36-0, 25KOs. Give credit to Brook, a man among boyz in the sport of boxing! He could have stayed across the pond in England and continued to defend his crown against ?no names? until one of his fellow welterweight champions chose to unify against him. Brook surprises everyone by taking this fight against Gennady ?Easy Work? * Golovkin, the feared middleweight champion of the world. Not since the days of Marvelous Marvin Hagler has any middleweight champion evoked as much fear as Golovkin has. Most fighters that are willing to fight Golovkin are ?no name? fighters trying to become champion/looking for a payday. As you begin to analyze this fight even deeper, thus far there is no mention of the always annoying ?catchweight? as a condition to this fight being made. Star fighters fight guys like Golovkin if they agree to come in at lower weight so they can gain any type of advantage. Brook merely cites that he is a ?big welterweight?, which is indicative that he is not concerned with Golovkin?s size. According to this writer?s sources over in the UK, Brook spars with supermiddleweights (168lbs) and light heavyweights (175lbs) and performs well against bigger men.
Gennady Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs) is the man to beat in the middleweight division. He holds 3 (WBC, WBA, IBF) of the 4 major titles in his weight class. He was supposed to fight Canelo Alvarez, but Canelo gave up his WBC belt rather than face Golovkin. While this is a mega fight for Golovkin, this is also a high risk fight. He must win this fight if he wants more mega fights. There is no puzzle as to how Golovkin fights. He comes straight forward and takes his opponent apart. For the first time in Golovkin?s career, this writer says he is vulnerable to receive his first loss. Why?
The O2 Arena in London is:
1. Brook?s backyard
2. Brook is not afraid of Golovkin (like other fighters are).
3. Brook describes himself as ?big welterweight?.
4) No matter how many Russian fighters come to the O2 Arena to support Golovkin, they will not outnumber the British fan supporting Brook.
These factors will be against Golovkin. Golovkin has to block these factors out of his mind and stay focused if he is to win this fight. Golovkin is a star in America. Brook is a star in the UK. This fight is for For all the marbles! Whoever comes out victorious will be a ?Superstar?. They will have greater recognition, bigger paydays, and consideration for moving up on the Pound for Pound list. Brook has ballz of steel! If he can defeat Golovkin he will also be bigger than any fighter that has come out of the UK and that includes Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis, and Naseem Hamed. If Golovkin wins, crtics will likely say he beat up on a little weltwerweight but his myth of invincibility will continue to grow. The loser will be labeled overrated and will have to go to the back of the proverbial line to rebuild his career. This is a high risk fight with a big reward for both fighters. This writer picks Kell Brook by split decision in the upset of year type fight.
Contact Writer: RLuvsboxing@aol.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ralph Rimpell.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 11 Feb 2026