KELL BROOK must say “Bah, humbug” to Christmas if Santa is to bring him a shiny world title in the New Year.
The Sheffield welterweight - due to take on world champ Devon Alexander on January 19 in the USA - will fly out to a Canary Islands training camp for three weeks over the Christmas period.
He leaves Sheffield on December 16 and will be away from his partner and child until January 6.
More importantly, from a preparation point of view, he will be away from the temptations of the festive dinner table.
Trainer Dominic Ingle confirmed families had been excluded from the trip to Fuerteventura.
“This is going to be a boot camp,” he said. “Kell has the chance of a lifetime, a world title is something he’s always dreamed of. That means sacrifices have to be made by him and his team: three weeks away from all distractions including loved ones.
“He must have nothing on his mind other than giving 100 per cent to every session.”
So far training has followed the successful blueprint set in place prior to October’s win over Hector Saldivia.
“All his goals are being met; everything we wanted at this stage and beyond is being put into place,” said Ingle.
The trainer fears the fight will be held in California where, he says, there will be no judges from neutral countries.
n Trainer Mick Wale has urged his fighter Matthew Mallin not to write off Dave Fidler - even if he has come in as a replacement for Sheffield stablemate Sam Sheedy.
Stairfoot’s Mallin had bargained for a Central Area title fight with Sheedy at Barnsley Metrodome tonight but Sheedy withdrew injured.
Wale has warned Mallin, 22, that Fidler will be dangerous in their British Masters light-middleweight clash.
He said: “Just because it’s not the champion he’s facing does not mean it’s not going to be a hard night for Buster. Fidler has nothing to lose and will be coming to cause an upset.
“It is by no means a walkover for my lad and he will have to be at his best.”
Lee Connelly, a Sheffield-based traveller, will debut.
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