Brook thrives on fear as he steps up to challenge Golovkin

Brook and Golovkin top a blockbuster night of action in London with two more mouth-watering World title clashes as Lee Haskins defending his IBF World Bantamweight title in a rematch with bitter rival Stuart Hall, who he met for the European strap in July 2012, and Charlie Edwards challenging for a World title in his ninth pro fight against two-weight IBF Flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero. It’s Brook who looks drained to me. “They scuttled off after and didn’t want to talk to any of the media”.

“We all know what Prince Naseem Hamed did”. The Kazakh Golovkin – or “triple G” as he is commonly referred to – is famed for being one of the hardest hitting boxers (relatively speaking, taking weight into account) ever. I’m betting the odds are going to change when he steps on the scales on Friday when people see how he’s built his physique. “I think when the fight was first made they thought it was going to be an easy knock-over job”.

“(Golovkin is) the most feared man in boxing”, Brook said. He has certainly taken steps in his training to attempt to address the threat by sparring with much larger and more powerful fighters than himself.

Hearn said: “Kell was the same when he fought Shawn Porter”. It should make this event a gift for boxing in the United Kingdom, for boxing all over the world….and for me’. He’s talking fast, his eyes shifting constantly, as if looking for Golovkin to pounce on him at any moment. I believe it’s written and I really do believe this is my time.

“Maybe I’m clutching at straws but I’m going to clutch at them because we need to”. Of course, I’m an expert at seeing though the false confidence bit that I see from fighters. I’m going to put it all together.

“I have a different plan and a more serious plan”. Hearn obviously can’t see through it, but I can. Tyson went to Germany, a huge underdog against one of the longest-reigning world heavyweight champions in history, Wladimir has an off night and suddenly Tyson is the world champion.

He has spent numerous hours in the company of a charming fighter as popular for his baby-faced appearance, smile and good manners as his exciting style.

Golovkin vs Brook could be the greatest boxing match of the last 20 years, claim some, but on the other side of the coin is the very real threat that the fight could be the sequel to the Amir Khan vs. Canelo weight mismatch.