EXCLUSIVE: British Star Brook Looks to Shine in the States

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Britain’s Carl Froch will be competing in the final of the Super Six Classic against Andre Ward with the WBC and WBA titles on the line in Atlantic City.

Froch will not be the only Brit in action at the Boardwalk Hall, as unbeaten Sheffield fighter Kell Brook (25-0-0) will be making his Stateside debut.

Brook recently teamed up with Matchroom Sport and Eddy Hearn, and since then he has had two impressive showings in his hometown of Sheffield, with victories against Lovemore N’dou and Rafal Jackiewicz.

“The N’dou bout was tough and it was a big step up from the fights I’ve had before,” he said. “I think I answered a lot of questions that night and showed that I can take a shot and I can go 12 rounds.

“That performance made it a lot easier when I took on Jackiewicz and I was a lot more relaxed and took care of business quite easily.

“I’m world ranked by all of the governing bodies now, and it has been great with Eddy and Matchroom. It’s like a tight family. Eddy gets us the fights and we just need to go in and get the wins.”

The welterweight fighter will be stepping in to the ring against Puerto Rican Luis Galarza (17-2-0) and Brook is looking to make an instant impact in the States.

“It should be a good night on Saturday with both Carl and myself in action,” the 25-year-old continued. “It is a great opportunity to show the Americans what us Brits can do.

“Carl has fought in America before but for me this is the first-time and I want it to be a good first impression. You always want to box in America, may it be in Madison Square Garden or Las Vegas, and I don’t think I’m a million miles away from there now.

“I’ve got an extra bounce in my step now that I’m fighting in America, I’m just looking forward to impressing the Americans.”

Another British boxer who has been welcomed in America with open arms is Amir Khan, and there has been a lot of talk about the Bolton fighter moving up to the same weight division as Brook, sparking murmurings about a possible domestic clash between the pair.

Brook feels this is a fight that will take place sooner rather than later, but he also has his sights on taking on the likes of Andre Berto, Victor Ortiz, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao, with the latter possibly taking place as early as May next year.

“I would like the Amir Khan fight,” ‘Special K’ continued. “At the moment he is the weight below me, but I think it is just a matter of time before our paths cross. I hope the fans just get what they deserve and it would be great if we have a mega fight in Britain that can be screened over to America.

“Heading into next year my aim is to start headlining shows in America against other top names like Berto and Ortiz, even Mayweather and Pacquiao you can’t rule out. I just need to carry on doing what I’m doing and that’s winning; it won’t be long before the big fights start coming.

“I didn’t come into this game to avoid fighters, and whilst I’m in this game I will put my head down and train super hard. I’ll go into these big fights believing I can win.”

Brook will be heading into Saturday’s bout against Galarza hoping to become the next British star to shine in America.

Catch Kell Brook in action on Sky Sports 1 this Sunday from 12am – you can follow Kell on twitter @SpecialKBrook