Filed under: Boxing
Kell Brook was once tipped to become a boxing sensation and eclipse the flashy Naseem Hamed by none other than renowned coach Brendan Ingle.That was just before the Sheffield welterweight claimed the British title in 2008 and the fighter now nicknamed 'Special K' looked set to be a superstar just like Hamed was back in the 90's under the tutelage of Ingle.
But despite holding the British crown for almost three years, Brook failed to really catapult himself onto the world stage as his career seemed to stall at domestic level.
Not that the Sheffield fighter hadn't been impressing. Brook was blowing away any below-par fighter that was put in front of him with ease and even answered some critics' questions when he stopped domestic rival Michael Jennings last year.
But doubts still remained over Brook despite his impressive showings as the standard of his opponents was always questionable.
That changed when the 25-year-old outclassed former world champion Lovemore N'dou in front of his home fans in Sheffield in June of this year.
Brook totally controlled the 12 rounds on his way to a very comfortable points victory over a fighter who has given plenty of well-known names a tough night in the ring.
But that will count for nothing if Brook cannot shine again when he takes on another world-level operator on October 8 in former European champion and world-title challenger Rafal Jackiewicz in a world-title eliminator.
For too long the talented welterweight has been cruising past journeymen and washed up fighters - now after dispatching N'dou with ease, he's facing a fighter in Jackiewicz who has only lost one fight in almost six years.
"Jackiewicz is a tough opponent who has held the European belt and challenged for a world title so he will provide a great test for me," claims Brook.
Talk of a possible match-up with Amir Khan in the past have been outrageously premature as Brook is still lagging well behind the IBF and WBA light-welterweight champion despite being seven months his senior and having just three less professional contests.
But that doesn't mean there isn't a bright future for Brook and if he can impress against Jackiewicz there will be plenty of options on the table for the Sheffield man as his promoter Eddie Hearn outlined.
"Rafal provides the next step up in terms of tests for Kell and with both fighters knowing they are on the verge of a World title shot, a slip up here can destroy any dreams so you can expect an explosive fight," explained Hearn.
"Kell is on the threshold of a world title shot and victory against Jackiewicz could set up an early 2012 shot with WBA champion Vyacheslav Senchenko."
A home crowd behind him in Sheffield for his clash with Jackiewicz will certainly help Brook perform and he must do so.
For too long he has been knocking out journeymen and now his chance is here to claim a world title shot, he has to grab it with both hands.
It's going to be an interesting test for a fighter who was once regarded so highly.
Being compared to a superstar of Hamed's level by such an educated coach as Ingle is flattering for any up-and-coming talent.
There's no doubting Brook has got the skills in his locker and when he is on form he is a joy to watch as he picks apart opponents with ease.
The 25-year-old's cocksure attitude has cost him a few followers who find the brazen Brook just too arrogant for their liking.
But that could all change should he finally prove that he is not all talk and that he can back up the praise he received from Ingle.
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