Kell Brook says he knows what he needs to do to beat welterweight titleholder Terence Crawford and has the ability to pull it off Saturday in Las Vegas.
The 34-year-old from England has been a professional boxer for more than 16 years. He has been in six world title fights, winning four of them. He has been in three major fights – against Shawn Porter, Gennadiy Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr. – and won one of them.
Most observers would agree that Crawford has never faced anyone as good as the three fighters Brook mentioned, although he, too, is an experienced champion.
“I’ve been on this stage,” Brook told Sky Sports. “I’ve been in with pound-for-pound top fighters in Gennadiy Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr. I’ve ripped the title from Shawn Porter in America. I know what it takes.
“This is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, so you have to put it as No 1. Nobody has done that in history from Britain.”
Brook (39-2, 27 KOs) continued to sing his own praises, adding that Crawford (36-0, 27 KOs) will be surprised by his versatility and size. The Sheffield product will be coming down from 154 pounds to 147 for the fight.
“He will get a rude awakening on Saturday,” Brook said. “He’ll know really fast that he shouldn’t have put me on top of his list. I can box orthodox, southpaw, I have balance and timing, I’m a big welterweight.
“I’m a scary fighter, I’m dangerous for any fighter in any weight division. You will see me, from round one, take control of this fight.”
Of course, Brook didn’t mention his liabilities, brutal knockout losses to Triple-G and Spence in 2016 and 2017, his relative inactivity the past few years, the difficult move down in weight and the fact he won’t have longtime trainer Dominic Ingle in his corner.
His principal cornerman will be Spaniard Carlos Formento, a trainer based in the town of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. The two met on Instagram.
Still, Brook sounds as if he’s bursting with confidence going into a fight that could resurrect his floundering career. He’s a 7½-1 underdog, according to BetMGM.
“The job will get done regardless,” said Brook, referring to his change of trainers. “I’m with a super top trainer who will be one of the best after I beat Crawford. We know what we’ve got to do.
“I’ve been in this sport for 25 years. I know what I need to do.”
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