‘Yorkshire is behind you’

CHAMPIONS: Reece Cartwright and Kell Brook have been sparring ahead of Brook’s mega-fight with Gennady Golovkin this weekend

Cartwright drafted in as Brook prepares for super fight clash with Golovkin

Sheffield's Kell Brook steps up to fight Pound for Pound best Middleweight fighter in the world at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday 10th September.  

Golovkin is a renowned puncher with a unbeaten record of 35 fights of which 32 have been won by knockout.  While Kell Brook also boasts a unbeaten record of 36 fights and 25 by a way of a knockout.  Golovkin is the bookies favourite however as under dog Brook believes he can cause one of the biggest British and World boxing history upsets by getting defeating the man Khalistan.

Kell Brooks' preparation/training consisting of top quality sparing and called a series of elite sparring partners; including recently crown IBF Youth World Middleweight Champion Reece Cartwright from Leeds.   

Cartwright said: “When I got the call to help Kell to prepare for the Triple G fight I was mixed with emotions, I was nervous and excited all at once.  

“Being fresh of winning by IBF Youth World Title and him calling for me; I knew I had to be on my game and the best I can be.  

“To spar with Kell was a fantastic and dangerous experience, and to be honest over the three weeks of sparing with him it was more like a world title challenge.  

“Every single time we sparred we both went at it and went to war. His power and timing in awesome and not to be under estimated.  

“Every spar was competitive.  To share the ring with such an elite pound-for-pound World Championship fighter was a real buzz for me.

“I realised I was doing well as I was called back for more work, as many had come to the sparing and not called back.  

“Head coach Dominic Ingle, Kell Brooks' trainer, was pleased with my contribution and said some kind words of encouragement.  This has given me so much confidence.

“Kell also told me after the last day of sparring keep training hard, focus and be patient and your opportunities will come.”

Cartwright will make his first defence of the IBF youth world middleweight championship on 18th November at the Royal armouries museum Clarence Dock, in Leeds.

Speaking of the Leeds star’s sparring with Brook, Dominic Ingle said: “It's been a great camp for Kell.  

“He's had some great sparring with WBO Light Middleweight World Champion Liam Smith, British Light Middleweight Champion Liam Williams and top Middleweight prospect Tommy Langford.  

“But some of Brooks' most difficult spars were with IBF Youth Middleweight Champion Reece Cartwright.   

“I think sparring with Kell Brook has taken Reece up to a new level.  Rick Manners has done a great job with Reece and I'm sure he's got a great future ahead of him.”

Brook himself added: “The shots were coming in from every angle, four and five at a time.  

“He's [Reece Cartwright] fit, strong and full of ambition and wasn't daunted by the task ahead of him.  He's definitely got the talent and dedication to get to the top.”

Battle of champions

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED: Kell Brook says he ‘can’t wait’ to step into the ring with Gennady Golovkin later this year

Brook and Golovkin to face off in Middleweight megafight

It is not the all-British encounter many fight fans have been holding out for, yet a Golovkin-Brook face-off has certainly got the boxing world shaking with anticipation for their September showdown.

For years, Kell Brook has been the rising name in the welterweight division and has threatened to cross paths with former world champ, Amir Khan, on countless occasions.

However, after being turned down, time and time again, the Sheffield boxer, known as ‘Special K’, has now landed himself the blockbuster fight of a lifetime as he goes toe-to-toe with the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer, Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin.

Brook (36-0) and his Kazakhstani opponent (35-0) are both unbeaten in their careers and are ranked top of their weight divisions respectively.

For the September bout, set to be staged at London’s O2 Arena, the Brit will have to move up two weight categories as the pair fight off as middleweights.

Speaking after announcing the fight, Brook said he was more than prepared for the contest and was ready to ‘run’ at the revered world champ.

POUND-FOR-POUND: Gennady Golovkin has been labelled the best boxer on the planet

“This is the fight and the moment I have been waiting for for some time,” he said.

“We've tried and tried to lure the best to come and fight me and now we've got the best of the best – the number one pound for pound fighter in the world is coming to the UK.

“When this fight got offered to me, I accepted within minutes and I can't wait. Everyone knows I'm a huge welterweight and I know I will carry my speed and accuracy and even more power through the weights.”

He added: “This is the ultimate fight, one of the biggest international fights the country has seen in many years - you have seen some huge names run from GGG but I'm running to him. I'm a ‘Special’ fighter and I will show the World on 10th September.”

FACE OFF: Brook and Golovkin go toe-to-toe in London’s O2 Arena on 10th September

After the official announcement was made, Golovkin’s promoter, Tom Loffler, praised the Yorkshire boxer for stepping up the fight.

“We’re very excited to have Gennady fight for the first time in the UK,” declared Loffler.

“We have a great deal of respect for Kell Brook for stepping up and facing Gennady when so many have been reluctant to do so.”

Golovkin has won each of his 19 title defences by knockout in what has been a dominant run of results.

His last fight, against Dominic Wade, lasted little over one round.

Matchroom boss, Eddie Hearn, said: “I cannot tell you how excited I am for this mega fight.

“I've worked hard with Tom over the years to bring GGG to the UK and now we do it as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

“Right here you have the number one Welterweight in the world against the number one Middleweight in the world – 36-0 vs. 35-0, two of the best on the planet, it's what big time boxing is all about.

“I couldn't be happier for Kell. We have pushed for that big name for a long time with many reluctant to step into the ring with him and now this is the ultimate challenge, the biggest fight of 2016.”