In his latest blog post for the Boxing News, promoter Dennis Hobson reflects on Kell Brook’s fight with Australian Michael Zerafa, and also takes a look at the upcoming fights between Carl Frampton and Josh Warrington, and Dereck Chisora and Dillian Whyte.
I was at the Kell Brook fight against Michael Zerafa at the weekend.
I thought Kell was a little flat, but when a fighter gets in his 30s and only has maybe a few fights left, then people start to say, ‘Is he done?’
He’s had flat performances before though – if you look at his first fight with Carson Jones he got hurt, but then did a number on him in the rematch; which shows how flat he can be, and also how on top of his game he can be too.
There was pressure on him for the Zerafa fight, he’d changed trainers, he looked like he was trying to force things, and he maybe couldn’t get motivated for the opponent or didn’t have the fear factor. If he’s in with a name, and there’s a bit more motivation, then he’ll be fine. I don’t think you can read too much into it. Just look at Tyson Fury’s two fights before he fought Deontay Wilder, and then he puts in a performance like he did.
People have mentioned the trainer situation, but you can tell he likes [new trainer] John Fewkes. At this stage of his career, you’re not going to teach him a lot more; it’s the motivational side, and getting him up for fights. Obviously, they’ll be working on tactics to a degree but you’re not going to change him technically. I thought some of the criticism was unjustified, he won every round in an eliminator for a world title. People are quick to criticise, but he totally outboxed the kid and is now in line for a shot at the world title, or the Khan fight. He’s now placed nicely, and I think he’ll go from strength to strength.
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