KELL BROOK will attempt the impossible once again by challenging unbeaten Terence Crawford.
Brook raised eyebrows in 2016 when he stepped up to middleweight to face Gennady Golovkin before moving back down to welterweight a year after to fight Errol Spence Jr.
He lost both times, despite drawing up early success, and will dare to be great once more by boxing Crawford on November 14 in Las Vegas.
While it could be Brook’s last chance saloon, Crawford is looking to break out as the sport’s pound-for-pound No1.
Here SunSport takes a look at the pair ahead of their crossroads clash next month.
Terence Crawford
Crawford fought 70 times as an amateur, but turned pro in 2008 after losing out on a spot to represent America in Beijing.
He would go on an unbeaten but unrecognised run in America – until Timothy Bradley helped elevate his career.
Bradley knew Crawford’s ability was too great to go under the radar and helped his sparring partner get a deal with Bob Arum’s Top Rank.
Crawford then won the lightweight title in 2014, beating Scot Ricky Burns, before moving up in weight.
He became light-welterweight champion in 2015 and within two years won all four belts to become undisputed.
Crawford next moved up to welterweight to challenge Jeff Horn – who had just beaten Manny Pacquiao – in a fight he won in nine rounds.
The 33-year-old has made three defences of the WBO belt, including a stoppage over Brook’s old rival Amir Khan.
Crawford is one of the best switch-hitters in boxing, equally as comfortable in both southpaw and orthodox, depending on who he is fighting.
The three-weight champion also has excellent timing in his punches to control range as well as a slick defence.
His 27 knockouts in 36 fights also proves he carries power in his hands, which Crawford has taken from lightweight to welterweight.
Kell Brook
Brook grew up under the guidance of Brendan Ingle at his iconic Wincobank gym in Sheffield, where Prince Naseem Hamed trained.
The welterweight debuted in 2004 and would go on to win the British belt while building his run up to a world title shot.
After climbing the IBF ranks, in 2014 he travelled to America where he dethroned Shawn Porter in a narrow majority decision verdict.
Brook made three defences of his titles – without facing a star challenger – before making the shock move up to middleweight.
Golovkin would beat the Brit in five rounds, and despite calls to move to super-welter, Brook boiled back down to welterweight to defend his title.
He made a good start against Spence, but the American would come on strong late to stop the fight in round 11.
Brook has since fought at super-welterweight, winning three straight as his career looked to be at a standstill.
His move back to 147lb marks the opportunity he has been waiting for, following failed talks to face Khan.
It remains to be seen whether Brook still carries his trademark power, and if he still has the miles on the clock to stand with Crawford.
But with one more crack to turn his fortunes around, the 34-year-old must hope this is his chance to roll back the clock.
Fight outcome
Crawford can be expected to start cautiously as he figures out his range and tries to work out Brook’s timing.
Brook is also a fighter who likes to build a rhythm, behind a solid jab, but going in as underdog he may look to make an early statement and come out fast.
Crawford was able to quickly suss out Khan in New York, cutting off angles and firing in combinations.
Brook may be able to withstand the attacks early on due to his size, but Crawford is a ruthless finisher, especially later on when his opponents tire.
And Brook failed to maintain the early lead he built up against GGG and then Spence, as he slowed down under pressure both times.
Despite Crawford stopping Khan in six rounds, he may get taken into the second half of the contest – where he has his finished his last four fights.
A stoppage around the later stages for Crawford can be expected, and not because of Brook’s shortcoming.
But he is facing a fresher, unbeaten P4P contender, who has gone far less rounds and spent four less years in the sport, despite being a year younger.
