Brook vs Spence Jr: Boxing's top trainers explain how Kell Brook must approach Errol Spence Jr bout
Friday 26 May 2017 12:26, UK
Rough him up? Nullify the southpaw left hand? Boxing's finest trainers explain how Kell Brook can defeat Errol Spence Jr...
Kenny Porter
I would get Brook to use a few things he has done in different fights, especially tie up and control Errol - like he did against Shawn. I would definitely try and get Kell to keep him on the end of the jab and if it does get too rough, he is experienced when it comes to shutting people down.
I would definitely try and get Kell to keep him on the end of the jab.
But I do think it is a bad idea trying to get close and have a brawl with him. Kell did some good things against Golovkin and he has the ability to do that as well. But as I always say, I can take the horse to water but I can't make him drink.
Dan Birmingham
I think Brook needs to put lots of pressure on from the start. Spence is very athletic so Brook needs to make sure he doesn't get into his own style.
[Brook] is always thinking ahead, and that makes him so dangerous. I think that is the big thing but he has to stop Spence growing into it.
The one thing I like about Brook he is very calm and calculated and picks his shots very, very well. He is a real thinking fighter and is always thinking ahead, and that makes him so dangerous. I think that is the big thing but he has to stop Spence growing into the fight.
Abel Sanchez
Kell needs to make sure that Spence understands who the champion is. Kell needs to go at him and try to not only out-muscle him, but make sure he takes away Spence Jr's confidence. If Kell sits back and allows this kid to box from the outside, it's going to be a long night.
Make sure it's a rough fight. For Kell, its better if it's a rough fight.
He needs to get in there and show that he is the champion and hit him the way he wants to hit him. Make sure it's a rough fight. For Kell, it is better if it's a rough fight.
Adam Booth
Kell has got to get him into a dogfight, rough him up and unbalance him. He can't afford to give him too much thinking time because I do think he is the quicker of the two and he's a southpaw as well, of course.
Kell has got to get him into a dogfight, rough him up and unbalance him.
We know Kell is a strong, tough welterweight with decent power and has to use that physicality. But that is not just about being more aggressive and on the front foot because Brook is an at-range fighter, not a sharp-shooter that starts from outside.
Dave Coldwell
Brook has got to make sure Spence Jr doesn't get his southpaw jab or his body shots off.
[Brook] needs to make sure he exits, and doesn't get caught by Spence Jr underneath.
Kell's always had success getting his sharp right hand off against southpaws. He needs to make sure he exits, and doesn't get caught by Spence Jr underneath.
Jamie Moore
I'd tell him to stamp his authority on the fight, straight away. I wouldn't want to allow Spence Jr to gain any momentum, or feel like he's in control. Kell should take the centre of the ring with a solid jab, and control the pace of the fight.
Kell should take the centre of the ring with a solid jab, and control the pace of the fight.
Let's have this right - Spence Jr is a great prospect who looks a million dollars but he hasn't been in the ring with anyone as good as Kell Brook. I'd want him to feel that straight away.
Joe Gallagher
Spence Jr is a very talented fighter but this is the first time he's been on the big stage, away from home, so if it was me, I would get Kell to land early. It will remind Spence who the man is and that is what Kell did in the US when he beat Shawn Porter.
I would get Kell to land early. It will remind Spence who the man is.
We know Brook can land good shots, even against Golovkin, and that is what I would get him to do, the sooner the better. He can show Spence he belongs on a different level and commands his respect. I don't mean go out and go wild, just show him what he's up against.
Jim McDonnell
Brook has everything you need to be a world champion, so I wouldn't really try and do anything different. Yes, he lost to Golovkin but he surpassed many people's expectations and he should still feel invincible. That is a dangerous game because Spence Jr is good, but his mindset should be perfect.
Moving back down to welterweight could play a big part so I would have Kell at a steady pace and not wasting any shots.
Moving back down to welterweight could play a big part so I would have Kell at a steady pace and not wasting any shots, especially if Spence Jr comes out flying - which I think he will. It's too easy to say Kell can do what he wants but as long as he's got those two things right, this fight will suit him down to the ground.
Watch Brook vs Spence Jr, from Bramall Lane, Sheffield, May 27, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event online here or via your Sky remote.
