By Joshua Modaberi
Kell Brook is ready to begin a new chapter in his career when he takes on Australian boxer Lovemore N’Dou in his hometown of Sheffield on Saturday night.
Brook will be looking to add the vacant WBA International Welterweight title to his British Welterweight and WBO Inter-continental crowns by defeating N’Dou.
The ‘Steel City’ boxer, who boasts an unbeaten professional record from 23 fights with 16 of those coming by way of knockout, says his preparations have been going well ahead of Saturday’s clash.
“I’ve had a good training camp,” he revealed. “I’ve been away training in Tenerife and sparred a lot of rounds. I’ve run and trained hard for this fight and feel well prepared.
“Junior Witter, who fought Lovemore a few years back, was over in Tenerife and I sparred a few rounds with him, but he was sparring differently because he was taking part in the Prizefighter.
“I was able to talk to Junior about when he took on Lovemore,” Brook added. “He told me he’s very tough, has a hard head and he comes to win. Junior told me I have to prepare hard for him as he’s been in with the best and he brings it when he comes, so that is exactly what I’ve done.
“I’m expecting a tough fight from Lovemore on Saturday and I’ve trained for a tough fight, so whatever he brings I’ve got the antidote.”
Brook is looking forward to returning to Sheffield for the fight and feels it will be an incredible atmosphere inside the Hillsborough Leisure Centre.
“It’s a sell out crowd, everyone I know is going to go on Saturday,” Brook stated. “Even my old school teachers are going and all my fans will be there.
“But I have to be professional about the game, I’ve got to keep composed and calm. I’ve just to go about my business and do what I’ve been training for and that is to destroy Lovemore N’Dou.”
Brook, known as ‘Special K’, has an eye on the bigger picture and his sights are firmly set on a world title shot.
A domestic showdown with Amir Khan, who is defending his WBA crown against Zab Judah in the next few weeks, could be on the cards and Brook has previously suggested he would like to take on pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.
“Eddie Hearn has some big things lined up for me,” Brook said. “Maybe a world title fight is next for me, but who knows? I’m very happy with Eddie and Matchroom so it’s onwards and upwards after this fight.
“I’ve got Lovemore N’Dou stood in front of me on Saturday night, but stepping aside for a minute, I know Eddie Hearn can produce world title fights.
“He got Darren Barker a world title fight, and he’s signed Carl Froch, who is one of the best in the game. I’m in a good place and I know Eddie Hearn is 100% behind me and I am him, so I know both of us together will do very well.”
The 25-year-old boxer is looking to follow in the footsteps of some great British world champions. In 2009, Brook beat Nathan Cleverly by one vote to win the prestigious Britain’s Young Boxer of the Year award, an accolade that inevitably leads to world title opportunities.
“Winning that award meant the world to me,” he continued. “I looked down the list of the people that have previously won that award and everyone who’s won it has gone on to win a world title.
“To be amongst them makes me very proud. To have beaten Nathan Cleverly, who is a world champion the year after he won the same award, surely means the writing’s on the wall.”
Kell Brook takes on Lovemore N'Dou for the vacant WBA International Welterweight title on Saturday 25th June at the Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield. Call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359 900 to book tickets.
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