Tuesday 30 August 2016 21:59, UK
Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard says Kell Brook will have to be in the best shape of his life if he is to cause an upset and defeat Gennady Golovkin.
Brook is the IBF welterweight champion but is boldly stepping up to middleweight to take on world champion Golovkin in an eagerly-awaited showdown at the O2 on 10 September.
And Leonard knows all about the task facing Brook, because the five-weight world champion secured one of his most memorable victories when he stepped up to middleweight and managed to defeat Marvin Hagler.
Leonard was a huge underdog that night and Brook will be in the same situation but Leonard told Sky Sports News HQ that it could work in the Brit's favour.
"The general consensus is that he does not have a chance, he can't win, but he has to believe in himself," said Leonard.
"For me, I fought at my best when I was the underdog. I was more focused and determined.
"For Brook, if he feels the same way, that is a plus.
"He also has to be in the best shape ever, capital E, to maintain the tempo and the pace of Golovkin.
"He has to be mobile, in and out, and try to confuse triple-G.
"He has to do what he does best and be himself, but faster, quicker, smarter, more economical."
And Leonard added that there are lessons Brook can learn from his 1987 Vegas clash with Hagler.
"To maintain the weight was quite difficult, I was kind of a natural welterweight," said Leonard.
"My weight would not go beyond 155 so it was very difficult trying to maintain 160.
"I was trying to figure out what weight I should be. As the fight got closer, I weighed in at 158, which didn't take away from my speed and didn't take away from my mobility.
"Brook has to understand what weight is he most comfortable at, what weight won't take away his speed or his movement.
"I kept moving, I could not stand toe-to-toe with Marvin Hagler. The times I did, was just to release my combinations, and then get back out.
"I could not be a stationary target because it wears you down against a bigger guy, a heavier opponent."
The unbeaten Golovkin is third in The Ring magazine's top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the world and Leonard could not hide his regard for the man from Kazakhstan.
"Golovkin has so much power," said Leonard. "He has such a foundation when he delivers his body shots.
"I love his body shots, that is something that has been missing in boxing for so long.
"Throwing body shots, I slowed a lot of my opponents down. Tommy Hearns, (Roberto) Duran, what have you."
However, Leonard clearly thinks Brook has some sort of chance, and he would not be drawn when asked for a prediction.
"That is what makes these fights so remarkable," he said. "Both guys believe they can win, at any cost."
Watch Gennady Golovkin v Kell Brook, live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2, September 10. Book the event online here.
