Fighting in the shadow of Kell Brook at Sheffield United's ground

Bramall Lane is the venue for the Summer's biggest boxing contest - but tonight it warms up for the Kell Brook v Errol Spence Jr world title event with a more modest show.
Kell Brook during a press conference at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Pic: Tim Goode/PA WireKell Brook during a press conference at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Pic: Tim Goode/PA Wire
Kell Brook during a press conference at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Pic: Tim Goode/PA Wire

Four local boxers fight on a card at Sheffield United, all of them at the other end of their careers compared with the city’s IBF world champion.

Ramzy Nassa is the most experience with eight fights under his belt, followed by Scott Westgarth, seven, Razaq Najib, six, and Christian Kinsiona four.

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Last but not least is Tommy Frank, who after two wins is hoping to make an impact at super flyweight.

While Brook hopes to be cheered on by 25,000 fans on the pitch and in three of the stands (the Kop, where Brook used to go as a young fan, will be closed) the relative green-horn boxers must make do with the Platinum Suite.

Frank will be up against Patrik Bartos, 25, from the Czech Republic (W9 L13) who has been TKO’d by Sheffield’s Waleed Din.

The 23-year-old Frank has been sparring with Din and says “a fight’s a fight, I have got to take him seriously. I am just going to get that win. I don’t care how it comes. I am not going out there to stop him. But if I can get him out of there I will.”

Kell Brook during a press conference at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Pic: Tim Goode/PA WireKell Brook during a press conference at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Pic: Tim Goode/PA Wire
Kell Brook during a press conference at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Pic: Tim Goode/PA Wire
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Frank recognises it is early days in his career. “I am in that gym every day even if I am not in full training I am ticking over. Boxing is a lifestyle and I definitely live that lifestyle and think that will bode well for me.”

Meanwhile, Brook has no hang-ups about boxing after breaking his eye socket in the Gennady Golovkin fight. He has a metal plate in his face as a result and has been given the assurances of his surgeon, who told him he was now “like Terminator”.

“It is good” Brook said. “My surgeon said ‘you can get hit on it, you can do what you want now - you are like Terminator, you have metal in your face now, so you’re stronger than ever’.”

He added: “The metal detector goes off (at the airport). It’s funny, isn’t it?”

Tommy Frank, starting out his boxing career. Pic: Bob WesterdaleTommy Frank, starting out his boxing career. Pic: Bob Westerdale
Tommy Frank, starting out his boxing career. Pic: Bob Westerdale
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Brook says people “wrote me off (for the Golovkin fight), but I went in there and showed what balls I had.

“He bust my eye in the second round, but I still stood there and had it out with him. I learned a lot from that.

“And with me making welterweight, I’m the biggest welterweight out there, so I believe I’ll be bullying these guys.

“When I do have to really grill myself to make that welterweight weight and then put the weight back on healthily, I’m like a beast in that ring the day after.

Kell Brook during a press conference at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Pic: Tim Goode/PA WireKell Brook during a press conference at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Pic: Tim Goode/PA Wire
Kell Brook during a press conference at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Pic: Tim Goode/PA Wire
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“He (Spence) is looking the part, but he’s never fought anything that has even come close to me.

“He has never fought an animal like me, who is so determined to become great and wipe out the division.”