20.09.06 – By James Slater: I know he has been guilty of more than his fair share of negative and boring performances. I know too, that he’s looked unmotivated and lazy at times. Yet for some reason, at the back of my mind, I have a hunch that Calvin Brock just might soon develop into the most dominant and successful heavyweight in the world. In some ways Brock reminds me of a young Larry Holmes, before he won the world crown. As with “The Easton Assassin”, who wasn’t considered anywhere near formidable until after he won, and then held onto, the heavyweight championship, Brock hits me as a fighter who will both grow and improve immeasurably once he gets to the top of the division.
Of course, the chances are he may well fail to do so. Certainly Wladimir Klitschko’s fans will never believe Calvin is going to dethrone “Doctor Steel Hammer” in November. And they may well be correct in their assertions.
To my mind, winning the title will prove to be the hardest obstacle to overcome for the man from The U.S. If and when he does become champ, however, I feel he will find his groove and, his confidence at an altogether new and higher level, hold onto his number one position for quite some time. I admit, all this is just a gut feeling. But I have to go along with it, even if it may be a gut feeling inspired by nothing more than wishful thinking. Let’s face it, we ALL want a dominant and all-conquering big man to clean up the current lacklustre heavyweight scene. Why can’t the very athlete we are looking for be Brock?
With his impressive 29-0 with 22 KO’s record, the thirty-one year old obviously looks the part on paper. And at his current age he is not too much older than the aforementioned Holmes was when he won the title. Remember, before he beat Ken Norton Holmes had many doubters. Doubters who felt he was lacking in a good many things, things that would prevent him from becoming the great he grew to be. “He isn’t in good enough condition”, they claimed. “He has struggled with average opposition.”
“He has been hurt and knocked down by a no-name fighter.” “His heart’s not really in it.” Larry had to listen to such negative talk for some time. But then, next thing you know, he wins the title and slowly but surely beats every single contender put in front of him. I’m not suggesting Brock will become as great as Holmes did. I just hesitate to write off the possibility that his career could go on to mirror Holmes’ to some degree.
Calvin’s jab, for one, is a fine weapon in his arsenal. His punching power too has to be given respect. The eye popping lights out job he did on Zuri Lawrence in February proves as much. Aside from Sam Peter, no current top ten rated heavyweight has despatched a recent opponent in such stunning fashion. Yes, the fight was a bore-snore before the sixth round KO, but Brock got the job done in style in the end – which is the most important thing.
But therein lies the problem for the majority of fight fans. Brock IS guilty of being too tentative and just content with shading rounds in fights at times. He is rarely as spectacular as he was against Lawrence. His last fight, for example, against one Timor Ibragimov, was excruciatingly dull. Calvin will definitely have to up the ante somewhat when he tangles with Klitschko. But that’s the thing. I believe he will do so. I think he will beat Wladimir, and afterwards go on to become the best heavyweight in the world. But as I’ve said, my prediction is just a hunch, for now anyway.