On Saturday, Kell Brook (35-0-K024) defends his IBF welterweight belt against mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier (25-2-K017) in front of his hometown crowd in Sheffield; it’s a test Brook is expected to come through with relative ease.
Brook’s third title defence should have been against the rugged Diego Chaves, however, an injury sustained to Brook’s ribs during preparations saw Bizier fill the void. The kudos he will earn for beating Bizier is questionable, nonetheless, Brook’s performance needs to reflect his ‘Special One’ nickname.
Bizier will be doing his best to upset the odds; hopefully the opportunity produces a fan-pleasing performance from the Canadian. Despite his credible record and an impressive victory over the previously unbeaten Fredrick Lawson last November, Bizier is a huge underdog with the bookmakers.
The Canadian doesn’t appear to possess anything the champion won’t have seen before. His accuracy, power, ring generalship and boxing IQ all are inferior to the man he’s facing. Both fighters share a common opponent, having both previously fought Jo Jo Dan, of whom Brook dealt with ease, dispatching him in just four rounds. Bizier, on the other hand, went the distance twice, losing split decisions.
If Bizier does come out aggressively, Brook’s first and best line of defence is his jab- it’s one of the best in the division. Should Bizier be able to get past Brook’s ramrod jab, he’s declared his intention to rough Brook up. Can he make it uncomfortable for Brook in there, grind him down and force the champion into a dark place? It’s not easy, just ask Shawn Porter.
The last fighter who successfully pressured Brook and made him look genuinely uncomfortable was Carson Jones. Again, the 2016 version of Brook is a far more experienced, better prepared and more accomplished fighter than the one that fought Jones.
If Brook senses early on that he can take Bizier’s power, he may choose to stay in the pocket. This may produce some entertaining action for the fans. More likely than not, however, he’ll stick to his basics, keep it long, sit on the back foot and neutralise his opponent at range.
Bizier will be looking to join the likes of fellow Canadian champions Bute, Stevenson, Pascal and Lemieux. How Brook deals with his opponent on Saturday night is important, however, just as important is what he and his promoter Eddie Hearn do next. It’s time for Brook to step up.
He deserves credit for going over to America to earn his title, not to mention having to recover to full fitness following a near fatal stabbing. But he must move on from here. Brook’s been doing his job, taking care of whoever is put in front of him. But as impressive as his victory was over Shawn Porter, that was back in 2014. There are massive unification bouts out there with the likes of Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman threatening to be much sterner opposition and push Brook in every department.
These are the sort of names Brook should be mixing it with. The IBF’s tolerance for fighters not taking mandatory defences is well known (just ask Tyson Fury) but Brook needs and deserves to be fighting the big names. If he wants to go down as one of Britain’s great fighters, then his choice of opponent needs to reflect that ambition. Brook does not inhabit a division devoid of world-class talent. He’s the champion of the world; now he needs to box like it.
Outside The Ropes 