Kell Brook knocks down and stops Kevin Bizier in the second round during his victory in the IBF World Welterweight Championship between Kell Brook and Kevin Bizier at Sheffield Arena on March 26, 2016 in Sheffield, England. (Photo : Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Reigning International Boxing Federation welterweight champion Kell Brook will move up to the middleweight division to face Gennady Golovkin. Veteran boxer Juan Manuel Marquez believes the Sept. 10 showdown will be a mismatch in favor of Golovkin.
Marquez said that while Brook is a good fighter, the weight difference will be a big factor on fight night. The Mexican boxing warrior is convinced that Golovkin's power will be too much to handle for the British superstar.
"They are two divisions apart, and he is not facing an easy opponent, as GGG is a fighter who comes forward and throws punches with a lot of power," Marquez told ESPN Deportes via BoxingScene. "It is a tough fight for Kell Brook."
Brook is also known for his speed, but Marquez thinks it is not enough to withstand Golovkin's power punches. He also added that the welterweight superstar needs to be in perfect shape in order to sustain his speed in the event the bout go the distance.
Marquez also dismissed the idea that Brook has a slight advantage because the fight will be held in London. The 42-year-old former world champion said that fans will give Brook extra energy but does not necessarily mean it will be a factor in the match. It could have an effect if the fight goes to 12 rounds, which he thinks is unlikely to happen.
Brook unfazed by Golovkin's power
But while Marquez is quite convinced that Golovkin is too big and too strong for Brook, the 30-year-old Briton is unfazed. Brook said that he is actually looking forward to feeling Golovkin's power.
"As crazy as it sounds, I'm looking forward to feeling his power," Brook told Sky Sports. "I just can't wait to get in."
Brook also played down doubts about his ability to fight at a high level as a middleweight fighter. He said that he is actually having a difficult time moving down to 147 pounds every fight, reiterating that he will be a different beast at 160. "When I get down to that natural weight of 160lbs, I'm a beast. I'm a different animal," he said.
Brook owns a perfect 36-0 record with 25 knockout victories. The Sheffield native is coming off a second-round knockout victory over Kevin Bizier in March in Yorkshire.
Watch the highlights for Brook's recent win against Bizier below.
