by James Slater – Ask a British fight fan or expert who the best and most promising would be star of the future is right now, and chances are high they will reply with the name Kell Brook. The unbeaten 22-year-old who has already been compared to the amazing Naseem Hamed is a fast and powerful talent who has streaked to an impressive nineteen straight wins as a pro, with 12 of these victories coming inside the distance. Brook, who is friends with “Naz” really came to prominence when he won the British welterweight title, stopping Barrie Jones in seven rounds back in June of last year..
Since then, the Sheffield man has defended his belt twice in just seven months (both wins coming inside 2 rounds) and next up he faces the tough and experienced Young Mutley at The York Hall, in London. Victory over the 32-year-old former British champ who has a good win over Michael Jennings to his name would ensure Brook keeps the coveted Lonsdale belt for life.
Speaking on promoter Frank Warren’s web site, the confident Brook spoke about his upcoming May 22nd fight, his desire to “clean up” at British level, and how he then plans to move up to European and ultimately world level.
“Mutley is definitely a hard fight for me,” Brook said. “It’s a step in the right direction, especially as I want to be fighting for bigger belts by the end of the year. I know I’ve got the potential to become a world champion, but at the moment all I’m concentrating on is my next fight against Mutley.
“When I turned professional, my first ambition was to win a British title, Then when I did that I said to myself I wanted a Lonsdale belt outright. Next on my agenda will be cleaning up domestically, getting the Commonwealth and European titles, and then moving onto the world scene.”
At the moment, though it is still somewhat early days despite all he has achieved in just under five years as a pro, there looks to be no stopping the gifted fighter who goes by the nickname of “Kid.”
A stoppage win over Mutley (real name Lee Woodley), a fighter who is rarely stopped, will only add to Brook’s massive potential. Since losing by 8th round TKO to Colin Lynes back in July of 2007 in a bout that contested the British and European 140-pound titles, Mutley has won four in a row. It’s possible he may box a tune-up before he goes in with Brook, and it’s safe to say the decade older man will give his all in what will likely be his last chance to get back to the top.
Look for a determined Mutley to push Brook for a few rounds, before the possible star of the future makes his advantages in speed and power work for him. I go for Brook to stop Mutley some time in the second half of the fight.