Kell Brook v Shawn Porter Live – Special K gets World title shot

It’s been a long time coming, but this weekend sees Kell Brook get his eagerly awaited welterweight world title shot against the IBF belt holder, Shawn Porter.

Live from Carson, California on Sky Sports 1 from 02:00 Sunday morning, and including a plethora of attractive fights, it’s sure to be great night of boxing.

Ezekiel Brinsly Reid Brook

Born and raised in the Steel City of Sheffield, Ezekiel Brinsly Reid “Kell” Brook turned pro in 2004 and has since amassed a 32-0 (22 KO) record. In terms of titles won, the Yorkshire man has held the British welterweight crown, along with minor titles such as the WBA and WBO Intercontinental belts and IBF International bauble.

Britain’s Young Boxer of the Year

September 2009 saw Kell ‘Special K’ Brook named as Britain’s Young Boxer of the Year, winning by just one vote – a record. Within this year, Brook twice defended his British title with impressive, early stoppages.

Brook did what Ricky Hatton couldn’t

After two brutally tough fights with Carson Jones, Brook recorded his biggest victory yet when stopping former WBA champion Vyacheslav Senchenko in the 4th round. Senchenko, famously, had earlier ended Ricky Hatton’s career with a body shot – the same punch that ‘The Hitman’ thrived off using.

Rivalry with Amir Khan

Having entered the pro ranks around the same time, and adjudging himself to be a better fighter that’s more deserving of the opportunities and limelight that Amir Khan has received, Kell Brook called the Bolton man out on several occasions – as of yet to no avail. Should this fight happen down the line, though, it’s sure to be big business on TV, particularly if Brook can defeat Porter for the IBF title.

‘Showtime’ Shawn Porter

Shawn Porter compiled an impressive 276-14 record as an ametuer, winning the 2007 World Golden Gloves Championship, but was sensationally knocked out in the PanAm Games and failed to qualify for the 2008 US Olympic team.

Sparring with Pacman

Known for being Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao’s sparring partner, Porter has now established his own reputation and is undefeated in the pro ranks with a 24-0-1 (15 KO) record.

Alexander and the Magic Man

Having fought at light middleweight for more than half of his career, Porter showed that he has real punching power at welterweight when knocking the then IBF welterweight kingpin Devon Alexander down en route to a comprehensive points victory, to win his version of the world title.

In his next bout, ‘Showtime’ stopped Paulie ‘Magic Man’ Malignaggi in four rounds. Considering that the talkative Italian-American had survived 12 rounds with a broken jaw against Miguel Cotto and had only been stopped twice in a career in which he fought pretty much every elite fighter of his generation, this was impressive.

Don’t expect this to go the distance

Both champion and challenger carry decent power, and although Brook will likely try to feel his opponent out and win the first few rounds by using his boxing skills, Porter likes to stay on the outside and lunge in from Mike Tyson-like positions. Crucially, the American throws some ‘big bombs’ and Brook – who is probably the more powerful man – is a proven hard-hitter.

Somebody’s O has got to go!

Well, technically that’s not true as the bout could be ruled a draw, but unless Brook is perceived to have done enough to win on points and the contest is declared level to ensure that the home fighter stays undefeated, somebody’s O has got to go.

Porter v Brook Betting

Porter is currently best priced at 4/9 with Ladbrokes, the draw is 25/1 with BetVictor and Brook is 2/1 with the same firm. In terms of method of victory, Paddy Power offers 11/10 on a Porter KO/TKO or 3/1 on points, with Brook priced up at 10/3 to win on the scorecards and 9/2 by KO/TKO.

All in all, it’s not easy picking a winner in this bout and fight not to go the distance looks like the smartest bet on offer. However, yet to be priced up and likely to be around 4/9, we look elsewhere for our recommendation.

Indeed, Brook winning the early rounds before Porter lands a few big shots to stop the Sheffield man is a plausible outcome and the betting favourite, but we think that while the first part of that equation is how it’ll play out, Brook’s superior power and Porter’s need to stop his opponent by that stage will lead to the champion walking straight into one of the challengers biggest shots.