Kell Brook v Frankie Gavin: The Panel give their predictions
Friday 29 May 2015 12:04, UK
Kell Brook puts his undefeated record and IBF welterweight title on the line this Saturday night when he faces Frankie Gavin in an all-British affair, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Brook defeated Romanian Jo Jo Dan on his return to the ring in March - a bout which came just months after the Sheffield-born fighter suffered a life-threatening stab wound to his left leg whilst on holiday with his family.
As Brook prepares to make the second defence of his world title, The Panel share their thoughts ahead of fight night at the O2 Arena in London.
Carl Froch
I can only see Kell getting better and better now he's got that self-belief and that means there won't be any sort of uspet on Saturday night. Frankie is just out of his league. He will try and mess things up, make things awkward for a few rounds but I don't think he's got it in him to upset the world champion.
I can only see Brook knocking Gavin out in the end, probably around the middle rounds.
I do think Gavin will make things awkward and mess him around for the first few rounds but I think it's a matter of time. Don't forget Kell can be awkward as well and once he's worked it out, I can only see Brook knocking Gavin out in the end, probably around the middle rounds.
Jamie Moore
It'll be a bit of a chess match. Both guys are very technical boxers. Kell will have to make the fight because I don't think Frankie will force the issue. He's the type of guy to let you walk onto shots and counter-punch off the back foot, so Kell will have to try and push on him.
Brook is used to awkward fighters though and the southpaw stance will not bother him.
I had Frankie sparring down in my gym last week and he looks really sharp on the back foot. Brook is used to awkward fighters though and the southpaw stance will not bother him. I'll go for Kell on points, but it's going to be really nip and tuck and it wouldn't surprise me at all if Frankie nicked it.
Glenn McCrory
Gavin has got great talent but for me, he's never quite lived up to that wonderful amateur form. He looks a little bit fleshy and never in the physical shape that he can be. It could be a tough night for Kell if he doesn't take it completely seriously, because Gavin is very talented.
Brook seems rejuvenated after that horrific machete attack and has looked so good lately. He might look a bit laboured against Gavin, who's a great defensive boxer, but I think he'll eventually find the punches to stop him when his sheer size and power starts to tell, late on.
Paul Smith
Frankie has not been performing to his level and high standards. And he has got very high standards. I feel sorry for Frankie because ever since he turned pro, he has been up against it. He was the first British amateur champion and he has had to live up to that billing. But on his day, Frankie Gavin can beat anyone in the world.
On his day Frankie can beat Brook, but Brook is firing on all cylinders at this moment and looks a real quality fighte
He has been sparring in our gym and he looks sharp. On his day, Frankie can beat Brook, but Brook is firing on all cylinders at this moment and looks a real quality fighter. So I am struggling to look past a Brook win. But Gavin is a tough lad with a good chin, so I think Brook wins on points.
Johnny Nelson
Gavin will give Brook all the trouble in the world because he'll not go to fight - he'll go to box him. If he does that, Brook has problems because Gavin is an outstanding technician. Brook needs the fear of god put into him because if Gavin is hitting him and not hurting him, there's a possibility he can lose on points especially if he doesn't have that urgency.
Brook needs the fear of god put into him because if Gavin is hitting him and not hurting him, there's a possibility he can lose on points especially if he doesn't have that urgency.
But Gavin is not a welterweight and that's his problem. Although Gavin will step up to the plate and box to the best of his ability, I still have to go with Brook to stop him late. In those championship rounds, the weight and the power will make a massive difference.
Jim Watt
Brook has proven himself at world level and he blasted his way through domestic level in second gear if you like, whereas the same cannot be said of Gavin. He’s tough and you cannot discount the fact that he was a world amateur champion but I don’t think he is quite ready for Brook yet.
Brook has proven himself at world level and he blasted his way through domestic level in second gear if you like, whereas the same cannot be said of Gavin
He’s good defensively but I just see Brook in a higher league. I think Frankie boxes at the wrong pace to trouble Brook; he’s a thinking fighter. I think the speed and power, everything that Brook brings, is going to give him trouble. Gavin could have some success in the early rounds but I think Brook can win with a late stoppage.
Book Brook v Gavin, featuring Joshua, Mitchell and Selby, live and exclusive on Sky Sports Box Office, May 30, via your phone or online now. If you want to record the event, book via your Sky remote. skysports.com/brookgavin
