Tuesday 22 March 2016 15:05, UK
Kell Brook admits he still wants Amir Khan ahead of facing Kevin Bizier but the history books are littered with tales of boxers coming unstuck in looking too far ahead, writes Isaac Robinson.
IBF world welterweight champion Brook (35-0-KO24) has been open over his frustration in failing to secure a bout with his domestic rival. Talk of a prestigious and lucrative summer clash between the pair at Wembley is out the window after Khan (31-3-KO19) surprised the boxing world by challenging Saul Alvarez up at middleweight.
Brook's good friend, Sky Sports pundit Johnny Nelson, has already stressed the need for the champion to refocus his sights exclusively on his mandatory challenger Bizier (25-2-KO17). On paper, with Bizier's two defeats coming at the hands of Jo Jo Dan - another Canadian Brook stopped inside four rounds, this should be a routine defence.
We have seen bigger upsets than this in the past, though, and the circumstances of another prospective opponent looming in the thoughts of the favourite have undoubtedly played a part, so here are some cautionary tales for the champion...
February 15, 1978, Las Vegas
The distractions: Ken Norton/Larry Holmes
There is no doubt Muhammad Ali was well past his best by the time he defended his WBC and WBA world heavyweight titles against the inexperienced Leon Spinks, but the challenger still heard the opening bell as a 10-1 underdog and received just a 10th of Ali's purse.
After proving himself all but physically superhuman in defying George Foreman's power in the 'Rumble in the Jungle' four years previously, there is a chance Ali was already looking ahead to a fourth bout with mandatory-in-waiting Ken Norton or an equally-lucrative clash with rising star Larry Holmes.
In the event, Ali was outworked by the enthusiastic Spinks and lost a split decision. He returned to become the first man to win the world heavyweight title three times in a rematch before losing to Holmes and ending his career with another defeat to Trevor Berbick.
September 4, 1982, Detroit
The distraction: Tony Ayala Jr
When Duran stepped in with relative-unknown Laing, the legendary Panamanian had lost just twice - to world champions Sugar Ray Leonard and Wilfred Benitez. After Laing, he was due to face heavy-handed Texan Tony Ayala Jr.
Laing, of course, had other plans. The Jamaica-born Brit had suffered two stoppage defeats at the hands of British welterweight champion Colin Jones but on his big night in America, he fought the fight of his life - his constant movement confusing the favourite early on.
A meaningful right in the seventh round rubber-stamped Laing's superiority and he ended up winning a split decision - denying Duran his clash with Ayala Jr.
September 27, 1986, Atlantic City
The distraction: Weight issues
Although London resident Honeyghan travelled to America as the WBC's number one contender, some bookmakers saw the bout as such a mismatch that they refused to offer prices. Honeyghan thought differently, obviously, and managed to find somewhere to place a $5,000 bet on himself at 5-1.
Curry - unbeaten at the time and in possession of the WBC, WBA and IBF world welterweight titles - had looked imperious prior to this but was experiencing his fair share of issues outside of the ring. Management changes, weight issues and a bereavement all troubled his preparation.
Honeyghan was not about to let this conspiracy of circumstances pass him by and he came out like a steam train - clocking Curry in the second with a right having already won the first. The champion was not helped by a nasty gash from a clash of heads but Honeyghan took a deserved upset when the American failed to emerge for the seventh.
February 11, 1990, Tokyo
The distraction: Evander Holyfield
Perhaps the most destructive fighter boxing has ever seen, only James 'Bonecrusher' Smith and Tony Tucker had taken 'Iron' Mike the distance since he first blasted his way to a world title against Trevor Berbick in 1986. Douglas was a massive 42-1 underdog.
With the unbeaten Holyfield having recently stepped up and the newly-created WBO title in the possession of Francesco Damiani, the consensus is that Tyson under-trained having underestimated Douglas, who had already been stopped three times in his career.
Working behind a smart jab, Douglas was in control from the off and Tyson appeared curiously out of sorts. In the 10th round, the champion was felled for the first time in his career and the referee waved it off soon after as the air of invincibility surrounding the New Yorker was shattered.
September 10, 2005, Los Angeles
The distraction: Manny Pacquiao
With a spectacular trilogy of fights with Marco Antonio Barrera behind him, Morales began his next rivalry by beating Pacquiao in Las Vegas just six months prior to getting in with Philadelphia's Raheem, who'd been outclassed by Rocky Juarez the previous year.
At the time, Pacquiao was one of the biggest draws in boxing and Morales had ensured some future earnings by inflicting a rare defeat on the Filipino. Now, stepping up to lightweight, the Mexican was expected to dispose of Raheem and earn himself the chance of a world title shot in his new division.
Raheem's movement impressed from the opening bell and he even rocked Morales in the fifth; surviving a scare himself late on to record a cosy points win. Morales went on to lose his next two bouts to Pacquiao.
Brook v Bizier is part of a stellar night of boxing in Sheffield that includes Luke Campbell v Gary Sykes and Richard Towers v David Allen.
