Kell Brook must avoid frustration against Frankie Gavin
We look at what may lie ahead for Sheffield's world champ
Wednesday 27 May 2015 17:27, UK
Kell Brook may have to summon all his powers of patience when he defends his IBF welterweight title against the technically-gifted Frankie Gavin.
When Brook seized the belt in Carson, California in July 2014, he edged a split decision over American Shawn Porter, one of boxing's most hectic pressure fighters.
On Saturday at London's 02 Arena - live on Sky Sports Box Office - he'll face completely tactics.
Porter was unbeaten before that defeat and many, including two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi just four months previously, had wilted in the face of Porter's relentless work and the sheer volume of punches.
The underdog Brook knew what was coming. As soon as the first bell rang, Porter hared towards his opponent, shots flying in almost as if the home fighter was a windmill in fast-forward. Brook did brilliantly in those opening rounds to weather a heavy storm and avoid being caught cleanly.
By the middle rounds, Brook had discovered the key to scoring himself - fainting back to invite Porter in and then darting forward to land lightning counters, often adding the surprise element of the right hand. The champion, finally seeming human in his motion, began to tire and slow with Brook doubtlessly the more accurate with his shots throughout.
It was a decision that not everyone agreed with. Ringside Sky Sports pundit Jim Watt had the champion retaining his belt by a single point - but the stats were telling. Porter had thrown close to 200 punches more than Brook yet had landed four fewer. Brook had pulled off a masterclass of back-foot boxing to become a world champion.
It could not be a more different proposition to what he'll face when he fights Gavin.
Contrast
First, let's focus on what will be easier against Gavin. Primarily, physicality. Porter is a supreme athlete - strong, fast and aggressive. Conversely, Gavin won his World Amateur Championship gold medal at lightweight and many feel he would be best served chancing his arm at light-welterweight in the professional game. His strength and tenacity will be a step down from Porter for Brook.
One man who expects Brook to enjoy a relatively easy night courtesy of his natural ability and superior punching power is three-time world super-middleweight champion Carl Froch.
The Cobra told Sky Sports: "Frankie Gavin might make things awkward for Kell Brook but that's about it. I just have Kell down as a great fighter, simple as that.
"Don't get me wrong, I think Frankie will make things awkward for a few rounds, so fair play to him.
Frankie Gavin might make things awkward for Kell Brook but that's about it. I just have Kell down as a great fighter, simple as that.
"He is the only British fighter to have won the World Amateur Championships, which is almost as good as winning the Olympics, it's just we all hoped he'd have done more as a pro."
That's probably most of the good news gone for the champion because in Gavin, he faces someone arguably technically superior to any of his previous opponents. His world amateur title and his status as the only Briton ever to earn one suggests so, too. He is also hoping to disprove some critics..
Despite being the naturally smaller man, Gavin can drag Brook into a place where he is prone to become frustrated. Sky Sports' pundit Jamie Moore said that Gavin looked "really sharp on the back foot" during sparring a fortnight before the fight. After a routine first defence against Jo Jo Dan via fourth-round stoppage, will Brook be fighting his (and most of the crowd's) expectations as much as fighting his opponent?
Brook seems enthusiastic over the idea of meeting in the middle of the ring, but Gavin is unlikely to grant his wish. At his public workout in Sheffield, Brook said of his opponent: "He sees things in me he wants to exploit and he can bring it on. He's very classy, won the worlds and when he's up for a fight he always performs. If he performs like he says and believe me I've trained hard, fans are in for a treat."
Headlining such a star-studded night of boxing - with Kevin Mitchell and Lee Selby going for world titles plus Anthony Joshua's biggest test - must come with its own pressure and Brook may be conscious of the perception that in order to become a great champion, he must look good in defending against someone like Gavin. That, however, is to underestimate the challenger.
Worst-case scenario for Brook is ...
Mitchell and Selby have become world champions and Joshua has dispatched Kevin Johnson early on in emphatic style. The crowd are buzzing and baying for more action.
Gavin is at his elusive best in the first few rounds and is impossible to catch cleanly. Just as Brook sets his feet to try and follow up the range-finding jabs with meaningful shots, the challenger dances out of range.
By the middle rounds, the energy in the crowd has dissipated and as the bout plods on at an actionless pace, the frustration begins to creep in with Brook throwing increasingly ambitious hooks and Gavin beginning to look the classier with well-timed counter-punches.
The crowd realise that they may be about to witness a real upset and Brook is furious at his own failure to do himself justice on what was supposed to be another night of celebration. He starts pulling out all the stops in a bid for victory and plays further into the hands of Gavin, who lands heavier and heavier counters. The decision comes and Gavin has nicked it.
Alternatively, Brook could be patient and wait for his moments.
Watch the headline fight live and exclusive on Sky Sports Box Office on May 30, with Kevin Mitchell, Lee Selby and Anthony Joshua also on. Book via your phone or online now. If you want to record the event, book via your Sky remote. skysports.com/brookgavin
