Tonight in the 02 Arena, Kell Brook will enter the ring against Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan, attempting to replicate the feats of such boxing greats as Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard. The announcement of the fight was met with universal incredulity, and not without cause. Yet those pouring scorn on Brook’s vaulting ambition must acknowledge that such an exploit does not lack precedent. While it is tempting to consider this as symptomatic of an era where the best avoid one another, leaving the public to content themselves withmismatches masquerading as proper contests, we should bear in mind the past. Challenging Golovkin is supremely audacious, but not unique in boxing history. But is the challenger’s apparently thorough self belief well justified? Is this another Leonard v Hagler with the same outcome?
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