16th March, 2012
Boxing chief Dave Coldwell believes he knows the tactics Matthew Hatton will employ against Kell Brook at Sheffield Arena tomorrow.
Hatton is the underdog against unbeaten Brook, whom Coldwell used to train.
But Coldwell, a promoter, thinks Hatton will try and smother Brook and take away his power shots from the close range.
“I think Hatton has been working on getting up close and mauling Kell,” said the Rotherham man. “He’ll be punching in clusters and tying Kell up. That’s the only way he can be competitive in this fight. If it’s fought at arm’s length, Kell’s left will control the fight and set Hatton up for his bombs.
“I see Hatton showing a lot of heart but taking a lot of punishment and start to look to survive with sporadic bursts of punches as he shows defiance. But Kell will stop him in the last quarter.”
Sheffield’s general boxing fraternity believes Brook will win. Former IBF world champion Clinton Woods said: “Kell is too fresh and has too much speed and power. He has a good chin too, he doesn’t get caught by a lot of shots but when he does he hardly flinches. Matthew is solid and underrated but he’s a bit ponderous and lacks spark. I can see Kell finishing it early.”
WBC contender Ryan Rhodes added: “Matthew is game but I can see Kell stopping it in the sixth or seventh round.”
Former English champion Ross Burkinshaw added: “Kell will finish it in six rounds. He is so sharp in such great shape. He is going to be a world champion.”