by Will Humphries: On 17th March Kell Brook will continue on his quest for a 2012 world title shot when he steps into the ring against Matthew Hatton. ‘The War of the Roses’ clash was greeted with a mixed reception following its announcement earlier this week however, with many fight fans disappointed in the choice of opponent for the undefeated Yorkshireman. But whilst a relatively unglamorous selection, Hatton offers a great platform for Brook to build upon in what he and promoters Matchroom Sport hope is his breakout year.
Looking sharp in stopping Luis Galarza on his American debut on the Andre Ward-Carl Froch undercard on 17th December, Brook faces the toughest test of his career to date when he steps into the ring at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena. Too frequently bound by the shackles of inactivity and over-matched opponents in his early career, this big arena homecoming provides Brook with an ideal opportunity to showcase his world title credentials. Brook certainly appears to have the skills to match this ambition but with a pro record relatively thin on recognised opponents he needs to prove that this potential translates to an impressive reality against some similarly able and determined opponents. And the man he will meet in the centre of the ring in March certainly has the ability to test Brook’s mettle.
More than simply an ‘opponent’, Hatton is a capable and hungry fighter in his own right. Once-beaten in nearly and in this instance a survivor of the full twelve rounds against Mexican sensation Saul Alvarez, Ricky’s younger brother will be a far from simple challenge for ‘Special K’. In fact his recent form cements his position as a proven and quality European level fighter, something that the relatively untested Brook has yet to do. But for all Hatton’s experience and top level know-how, the 42-5-2 fighter looks set to come up short against the more eye-catching talents of Brook.
Hatton’s consistent but ordinary skill set is likely to push Brook more than many of his previous opponents but may fall short of his younger foe’s quicker, slicker and more powerful combinations. From this perspective then, Hatton may indeed prove to be the perfect stepping stone for Brook’s ascendant boxing star. If, as many of this match-up’s critics expect, Brook overwhelms, outclasses and perhaps even stops the durable Mancunian, when the likes of ‘Canelo’ could not, then he deserves the significant praise and world title momentum that would ensue. But should Hatton take Brook into previously unchartered deeper waters and the unbeaten fighter still come out with his ‘0’ intact, Brook will have had to put in a performance to match the hype and in turn cement his position as a legitimate world level contender. Perhaps this envisaged win-win situation for Brook does a disservice to Hatton’s respectable career, but whatever happens this fight is an appealing domestic dust-up and a worthy precursor to the bigger fights on the 2012 horizon.