Golovkin vs Brook: The panel offer their fight predictions
Selby, Harrison, Barker, Santa Cruz, Smith and the rest
Saturday 10 September 2016 23:32, UK
Can Kell Brook pull off a historical upset or will Gennady Golovkin reign supreme? We asked our panel to give their fight predictions.
The blockbuster middleweight unification world title clash will take place in London on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
World champions, upcoming stars and former fighters have all had their say on the big fight....
Jamie Moore
I've got a funny feeling that Kell's going to come out of the blocks, hold his feet and try to gain Golovkin's respect. It's a dangerous game but we really don't know what Brook is capable of as a middleweight.
I'm going to have to go off my initial instincts when the fight was announced and that's that Golovkin can put away any middleweight in the world - never mind a welterweight. I think Golovkin by stoppage in the fourth or fifth round.
Lee Selby
I have to favour Golovkin who is probably the biggest puncher pound-for-pound. Brook has the skills and is a massive welter, but 'GGG' is a beast.
Darren Barker
Everything favours Golovkin going into this fight; the odds, the weight, the past contests, former opponents and manner of which GGG has destroyed everyone. I have to say Golovkin, but something in me, I don't know whether it is patriotism or the fact that I know Kell, I'm just leaning towards putting money on Kell.
Some might think I'm absolutely crazy, I just think we're due a big upset and with Kell's style, courage and desire to take this fight, he must see chinks in Golovkin's armour. My gut is that Brook can do it on points.
Audley Harrison
Kell has nothing to lose and everything to gain in this fight. He is a champion stepping into the lion's den even though it is over here in the UK. Golovkin is no joke though. I haven't seen Brook go through all of his gears yet and I know he has a lot more in him - this is the opportunity to show those next gears. We know that Golovkin will come in with his usual arsenal.
On paper, Golovkin will be victorious but I'm not writing off Kell Brook because he has wanted this for so long, he wants to show himself as the man we all think he is. I want and am willing Brook to do it.
Matthew Macklin
I think Golovkin will get an early stoppage. You will be pushed to find anyone who honestly thinks Brook will win this - he is climbing Mount Everest. If Kell can get past six rounds then he has done well, but even that is unlikely.
Josh Warrington
Golovkin has knocked people out while he's been getting punched! He is a freak. Like most people, heart says Kell, and head says Golovkin, so it is hard to go against everyone else. Golovkin will win. Could well be a knockout but you just never know with Kell.
Kal Yafai
I would love to see Brook win, but I just can't see it because GGG has so much ability and has horrible power. I watched him box live against Willy Monroe Jr and I could hear every shot that he was landing - they were thumps. Monroe just couldn't take it.
Golovkin is naturally bigger though and I believe a good biggun always beats a good littlun. When people tell you how hard he punches and that he spars cruiserweights, you realise Golovkin is the real deal and he should win.
Martin Murray
The only way to beat Golovkin is to try and push him back and come forward. Even so, I don't think there is anyone out there at middleweight who can do that. Kell needs to bring something different to the table and despite his distance, range and timing being world class, I can't see him winning. Golovkin should be too good.
Leo Santa Cruz
To move up two weight divisions is crazy. Only he knows what he's doing - maybe he feels comfortable at 160lbs. Brook may think he could beat him but I don't think it's a good fight. Golovkin is way stronger than him. I think it will end up similar to Canelo v Khan. Brook may beat him to the punch the first couple of rounds but as soon as Golovkin catches him, he'll knock him out.
Tyrone Nurse
I think Golovkin is a better boxer than we've seen but Brook's boxing skills and style is capable of giving Golovkin nightmares in there. I think for the first four or five rounds, Kell will acquit himself well but then it's about how he copes with the continuous blows. It can take it out of you.
I'd love for Kell to do it but I can't see it happening so I'm going for a Golovkin stoppage in the second half of the fight. It's hard to pick but if I had to put money on it, that's where it would go.
Liam Smith
I give all the credit in the world to Kell. He's doing what many others won't do by fighting the feared middleweight. Kell is a massive welterweight but there's a difference. Being a massive light-middleweight, you could go to middleweight but he's going up there against the best fighter in the sport at the moment. I wish him all the best, but fancy Golovkin.
James DeGale
I honestly think it'll be a good scrap. It's hard to look past Golovkin and hard to think that a welterweight is going to beat him but Brook is a very big welterweight and there isn't much size difference. Brook has come from good pedigree, is unbeaten and confident. If he moves his feet and uses his speed then he could give him trouble. Hopefully he can pull it off but Golovkin is a beast.
You'd have to go with the favourite, Golovkin. I'm hoping Brook can pull off the shock though to become a two-time champion, 100 per cent.
Peter Sims
Taking nothing away from Kell Brook because I think he's a good champion as a welterweight but putting him in with Golovkin is a dangerous fight for him as I'm sure everyone has said. I can't see it going past the halfway stage to be honest because Golovkin is going to be too naturally big and strong.
Martin J Ward
It's the fight game and every fighter has a chance. Golovkin has two arms and two legs. He's a human being. I give Kell a chance but I'm favouring Golovkin to win. Who knows? It would be a big shock throughout the world. It wouldn't be such a shock in Britain because we know Kell can bang and he looked a unit at the work-out. We're all rooting for him.
Naseem Hamed
I think Brook can box a very clever fight and use straight shots to get the victory. He needs to watch Sugar Ray Leonard against Marvin Hagler because that fight is the key to him winning this one. GGG is a great fighter but he hasn't got the ability that Kell has - Brook is the far superior boxer
He needs to be ready for 12 rounds of relentless pressure and hard punches and be able to take and absorb it. More importantly, Kell Brook needs to avoid a lot of it and slow down the fight with his brilliant jab.
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
