Brook Remains on Course for World Title as He Dreams of Khan Showdown

Kell Brook is finally on the threshold of earning his first world title shot as he looks to prove his class on October 8 when he puts his WBA Inter-Continental title on the line against durable Polish fighter Rafael Jackiewicz.

It has been a long and often frustrating road for the Sheffield fighter with injuries halting his progress. Brook has been relatively inactive for a fighter who has been blessed with blistering hand speed, a natural swagger and power in both hands.

From the moment he walked into Brendan Ingle’s gym in Wincobank, Sheffield at just nine-years-old, Brook has been dreaming of emulating his hero Prince Naseem Hamed and becoming a multiple time world champion.

Like Hamed, Brook showcases the same mixture of arrogance and ability inside the ring. Outside there is a vast difference. The 25-year-old is softly spoken and while he is certainly confident, there is not a single hint of brashness. In his strong Sheffield accent he quietly tells me his plan to face Amir Khan next year.

“When Amir moves up to welterweight I want to have a title waiting for him. My goal is to keep winning and to keep putting good fights on for the fans,” declares Brook at the Matchroom Offices in Brentwood before his bout with Jackiewicz was announced. “I want to capture a world title and hopefully that fight will then happen next year.”

Khan, the current WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion, plans to make the move up to 147lbs after his fight with Lamont Peterson on December 10 and Brook has been mentioned as a possible opponent. The pair have previously been embroiled in a war of words on social networking site Twitter, but Brook explains that he is not solely focused on challenging the Bolton fighter.

“I am desperate to win a world title so I am keeping a close eye on the [Andre] Berto and [Jan] Zaveck] fight,” he said. “To be honest I am looking at everyone in the division so if the opportunity is there and Eddie [Hearn] thinks it’s the right move then I am ready.

“I am not ruling out anyone and to be honest with you even [Manny] Pacquiao is on the radar. Whoever has that title I am ready to fight and I am ready to win.”

The welterweight division is universally regarded as one of the toughest in boxing with the likes of Berto, Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto and Victor Ortiz all vying for the title of the undisputed champion. The problem for Brook is that despite his impressive 24-0 record, he is yet to face any of the top names.

Khan and Ortiz are a year younger than ‘Special K’, but the pair are already mixing it at world level. Both fighters have already won world title belts and Brook is desperate to prove that he is in the same league.

First he must navigate his way past the dangerous Jackiewicz. The 34-year-old has never been stopped in his 48-fight professional career and is considered the step up in class that the Brit needs. Should Brook once again prevail then he becomes the mandatory challenger to WBA champion Vyacheslav Senchenko and moves one step closer to winning a world title.

“I can’t wait to fight in Sheffield again,” Brook told the Daily Mail. “The atmosphere at the Lovermore N’dou fight was incredible and I’m sure it’s going to be even better at Ponds Forge.”

“Jackiewicz is a tough opponent who has held the European belt and challenged for a world title so he will provide a great test for me.”

Brook has received plenty of recognition in England for his impressive performances, such as picking up the young boxer of the year award in 2009, but he is yet to showcase his talents to a worldwide audience. With his next fight once again in his hometown of Sheffield, does he believe he can appeal to the American market and earn the biggest fights?

“I have been told that the American fans love my style,” he stated. “So when I move over, hopefully they will welcome me with open arms and I think they will enjoy watching me box.

“I think I will go over to the States at some point to do some sparring but I think the fight with Khan has to happen in the UK as that is where we belong,” Brook added. “We are both British fighters and I think the public would want to see it. I’m sure the Americans would want to tune in so hopefully we can do a deal with HBO and send it global.”

While Khan is clearly the fight that Brook and promoter Eddie Hearn want, a world title is certainly the priority. The Olympic silver medallist is a household name in America and knows that his earning power is far improved by fighting in the boxing mecca that is Las Vegas. Brook needs a bargaining chip to tempt Khan away from the bright lights and the glimmer of a world title belt may be enough to catch the eye of the ‘King’.

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