The Sheffield star has finally got the chance he's waited for
Thursday 3 July 2014 12:59, UK
The time and place aren't your biggest concern when you are fighting for a world title. Who and what you are fighting for are!
So Carson, Califiornia on August 16 are not disastrous at all for Kell Brook. It doesn't really matter.
When you look at the welteweight division beating the IBF champion Porter is actually the easiest way of winning a world title, right now! Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao? I know who I would rather take on!
The simple fact that he is facing Shawn Porter is the biggest concern of the lot. I have been ringside and seen this lad develop and he is good. Very good.
He has a bit of everything about him. He is a very good all-rounder and that in itself means Brook has a tough, tough fight on his hands.
The venue is not really a big disadvantage for Brook but is certainly a big home advange for Porter. If it was in Sheffield it would be a tough place for the champion to go because the home crowd will be right behind their man.
Porter isn't a Californian and this is not in his own backyard and even if it was - he's from Ohio - the American crowd would not be in the visiting fighter's face.
But, America expects and that puts a bit of pressure on the champion - and might even bring more out of him.
It is only six weeks away so there isn't enough time for Kell to get worried about things like that. I think August 9 was a date that was mentioned first of all so he will have been in the gym anyway, even if it was going to be in September.
It is strange for a manditory to be announced at such short notice but that is the way boxing goes sometimes. And given the frustrarting, drawn-out wait for him to fight for a world title, Brook will at last have something to focus on. Now the countdown can finally begin.
Fighting for a world title is never going to be easy. We have seen certain fighters given a shot in the dark from nowhere and we rarely expect them to pull it off, but this is a tough, tough ask.
But when you look at the welteweight division, beating the IBF champion Porter is actually the easiest way of winning a world title, right now! Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao or Porter? I know who I would rather take on!
I rate Kell Brook. He is very good and I think he can get better as well. I hope he does the business in California because he has finally got his chance and it is one he has to jump all over.
