Golovkin vs Brook: Gennady Golovkin is not ill, insists Abel Sanchez
Friday 9 September 2016 16:58, UK
Gennady Golovkin is not suffering from any illness and is simply in 'fight mode,' insists his trainer Abel Sanchez.
The WBA Super, WBC and IBF world middleweight champion faces welterweight graduate Kell Brook at The O2 on Saturday night - live on Sky Sports Box Office but has seemed jaded at both the final press conference and Friday's weigh-in.
Sanchez, however, was quick to refute claims his fighter is under the weather or suffering from jet lag and insists the decision to forego interviews is born out of psychological preparation.
When asked if there was any substance to the rumours, Sanchez told Sky Sports: "Absolutely no truth. He's just in fight mode. He's focused and ready to do what he's got to do.
Once Kell gets in there, he's going to discover that Golovkin is a special breed.
"He's not in a hostile environment but it's an environment in which he's the bad guy because Kell is from here. He just wants to get to work and he's looking forward to tomorrow and putting on a show.
"He had 350 amateur fights. He's seen everything and now it's time to go to work. When the British Boxing Board of Control weighed him the other day, I could see the change in him.
"I'm sure the Ingles believe Kell is going to do what he's been doing as a welterweight and he looks fantastic. It's just whether he can handle the punching power of Golovkin.
"Once Kell gets in there, he's going to discover that Golovkin is a special breed. Once Golovkin touches him there'll be a change of plans in the corner and in his mind.
"I hope the fight is as good as I think it's going to be. Kell is a warrior but Golovkin is a step above."
Brook outweighed Golovkin on the scales - 159.4lbs to 158.6lbs.
Watch Gennady Golovkin v Kell Brook, live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2, on September 10. Book the event via your Sky remote or online here.