KELL Brook says he intends to “stand and fight” when he defends his IBF welterweight title at the Sheffield Arena on Saturday night against Kevin Bizier, live on Sky Sports.
Brook (35-0) has been out of action since May last year when he stopped Frankie Gavin, makes the third defence of his title against the mandatory challenger from Canada following an extended training camp as a result of the rib injury that forced him out of his October clash with Diego Chaves.
The unbeaten 29-year-old is plotting a major summer showdown, and wants to send a statement out to the welterweight division by impressing against 31-year-old Bizier in front of his home crowd.
“It feels like I’ve been training for an eternity and I just can’t wait to get in there and fight,” said Brook.
“The back end of last year was so frustrating. I was excited for the Chaves fight and to get injured with just over a week to go was heartbreaking.
“When we tried to reschedule the fight the IBF told us that we have to fight Bizier next so he’s in the saddle.
“I was a mandatory challenger once and know how hungry I was. I’ve seen him saying that he is going to try and pressure me on Saturday and that’s music to my ears.
“I want to stand and fight. I haven’t had that fight night feeling for nearly a year and it’s been killing me inside. “Saturday will be quite emotional for me and I feel a special performance coming on.
"Everyone is talking about a big summer fight and of course that’s on the agenda, but right now I’m going to soak up the atmosphere in the arena in my hometown and go on a seek and destroy mission Saturday night.”
Blackwell primed
TOUGH sparring sessions with George Groves have prepared British middleweight champion Nick Blackwell (19-3-1) for Saturday night’s showdown with Chris Eubank jnr (21-1).
The pair meet this weekend, live on Channel 5, and Blackwell says he’s ready for the challenge.
“I learnt a lot from George and got some decent sparring rounds in,” he said.
“I didn’t feel 110 per cent in all of the spars we had, but it was nice to know that George still had some nice things to say about me.
“I’ve had good sparring at my gym but sometimes you have to take yourself out of your comfort zone and get in with people who are world-class and have competed at a higher level. George Groves is world-class.
“He has boxed world-class fighters and he has been in some massive events. He has been there and done it. Eubank jnr hasn’t. He might like to pretend he has, but he really hasn’t.”
Groves’ spiteful jab has helped ‘Big Bang’ to get in shape for the fight.
“Mentally, it’s great,” he said.
“You feel good going into a fight like this knowing you’ve sparred countless rounds with a world-class guy from a weight class above.
“George’s jab is phenomenal. It’s probably the best jab I’ve ever come across. When you take one of his jabs, it’s like being hit by a right hand. It’s very sharp and he’s very strong.
“Eubank jnr doesn’t really use a jab that much, and he’s certainly not going to hit as hard as Groves. I’m in a great place. I’m ready.”
