Brook - Golovkin: What does North East boxing predict?

This Saturday, September 10th, sees one of the biggest fights on these shores in recent memory, as Gennady “GGG” Golovkin visits our shores to defend his Middleweight world titles against Britain’s own unbeaten Welterweight world champion, Kell “Special K” Brook, who will be jumping up two weights to face the Kazakh warrior.

We here at British Boxing Blog have asked a host of figures from North East boxing, from promoters to trainers, to fighters for their opinions and predictions ahead of Saturday night’s bout.

Troy Williamson – Former GB amateur star and new MGM signing. Scheduled to make pro debut on October 29th.

Personally I think people are really underestimating Kell Brook. Brook is a better fighter than any of GGG’s previous opponents and I think we will see GGG being exposed numerous times. Unfortunately however, I do see Golovkin winning the fight but I can’t see him knocking Brook out. I think it'll go the distance.

I do believe however we'll see the best of Kell Brook at this weight and I’d love to see him at 154lbs in the future, I think he’ll be a real force at that weight!

Phil Jeffries – Sunderland’s chief boxing promoter, head of Pro Box Promotions

I’m predicting a 7th round KO victory for GGG.

Andrew “El Canon” Buchanan – retired Newcastle based Middleweight contender – now commentates on Made TV live boxing shows.

I think Brook may make it awkward for GGG early on, but I think after a few rounds of pressure GGG will stop him inside 6 rounds.

Anthony Hardy – 8-2 super lightweight from Co. Durham. Scheduled to fight an English title eliminator on 24th September.

I think Kell looks fantastic at the weight. He looks really sharp and full of energy in training which is great... However, I can't look past GGG for this one. He is the best in the business right now. I'm predicting a GGG stoppage between rounds 7-9.

Peter Cope – 13-3 Hartlepool’s former Northern Area champion and English title challenger. Scheduled to fight in Morpeth on September 24th.

I'd like to see Brook do it and he looks well at the new weight but I think GGG will win in about 10 rounds. However I think Brook makes it really difficult for him during the first 6 rounds

Tom Dallas – Operations Manager of Gateshead’s Fighting Chance Promotions. FC Promotions have two pro boxing shows scheduled for September.

I predict Golovkin to win by stoppage rounds 7-9. When the fight was first announced I thought the value bet would be with Brook. I think he needs to get on his bike, circle Golovkin and use his excellent timing to land a flurry of quick shots and get back out of there. I think he could benefit from switch-hitting and use all his tricks to confuse GGG. However, I get the impression that won't be Brook's tactics and he may try and make a fight of it. And I can't see him holding up to GGG's power. Even if Brook does employ the tactics of dancing around the ring and boxing on the back foot, there’s no one better at cutting the ring off like Golovkin. Of course I'd love to see Brook win, and I do think there's a slight possibility of him out boxing Golovkin... However, I can see it being a stoppage win for GGG

Karl Greenwood – British Boxing Board of Control – Northern Area representative

Hopefully Brook puts in a career best performance and shocks the world; I’m predicting a Kell points victory!

I’ll be there so would it would be nice to see Kell win. People don’t understand how big Kell is, size won’t be an issue here, it’ll come down to who's the better man on the night

Steve Wraith – Newcastle based boxing promoter – owner of Wraith Promotions. Next show, Showdown at St James Park is on September 25th.

I can’t see past GGG, KO in round 5!

Daniel Cope – Hartlepool Welterweight. Faces Tom Whitfield for the Northern Area Welterweight title on 24th September.

I saw Kell Brook when I was down at the Ingle Gym sparring for my upcoming Northern Area title fight and he looked to be in good shape. I would like to see him win but he's got a big task in front of him. I think GGG will win. Although I’d love to see brook get the win

Mark Clauzel – Former pro boxer, now boxing trainer at Vision Gym in Swalwell and head of Ringstar Promotions.

I would love to see Brook pull off a massive upset; however I just can't see it happening. I think GGG will be too strong, his ring craft and power shots will wear Brook down and I think he will stop him.

Tom Whitfield – (4-0) unbeaten Welterweight prospect, training out of the Gates gym in South Shields. Faces Daniel Cope for the Northern Area Welterweight title on the 24th September.

I can’t look past a Golovkin win. I can see a stoppage victory coming in rounds 6-8.

Mal Gates – Chief trainer at Pro Box Gates gym in South Shields. Has trained Area, English and Commonwealth champions.

I have to fancy Golovkin to win this one. Once he gets to Kell and starts to wear him down I think it’ll be all over. I’ll go for an 8th or 9th round stoppage win for GGG.

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