‘No stone unturned’ by Brook in big fight preparation

The Sheffield fighter tipped the scales at 10 stone 6lbs, the same as his South American rival yesterday and looked in supreme physical condition.

Brook, 26, faces Saldivia, 28, to become the mandatory challenger for the IBF world welterweight title, in the aptly named, ‘This is it’ bill at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena.

After a hard-fought points win over American Carson Jones in his last outing raised questions over his fitness levels, Brook warned the South American earlier this week that “no stone has been left unturned” in his preparations for the fight.

“I want to make a statement in this fight,” said Brook. “Last time out that wasn’t me, so in this one you’re going to see the real me, I’m going to see the real me and what I can do.

“No stone has been left unturned with my preparation, so you’re going to see the best Kell Brook and I’m sure that’s going to be good enough to take care of Hector Saldivia. If you see me in the gym you can see I have the eye of the tiger for this fight.”

Saldivia is ranked in the top five in the IBF rankings and boasts more knockout victories than Brook has had fights and the Sheffield man will certainly need the to be at his best when he meets the South American known as ‘El Tigre.’

With a record of 41-2 with 32 knockouts to Brook’s perfect 28-0 record with 18 by stoppage, the hard-hitting Saldivia, who is undefeated in his last eight contests, will not be easy as he looks to humiliate Brook in his own backyard.

“I am at the best form in my life, I’ve been waiting for this fight for a long time,” said Saldivia.

“I’m ready and I’m going to give a very good show for everybody in Sheffield. I feel that we’re going to have a very good fight. It’s going to be very, very hard for him.”

With a prospective world title shot next and future clashes with the likes of Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton in the offing, tonight could be a defining moment for Brook.

The undercard includes Brook’s fellow Yorkshireman Jamie McDonnell, as he faces Argentina’s Darwin Zamora in an IBF bantamweight eliminator.

Former world champion Robin Reid is also in action, meeting Scotland’s Kenny Anderson for the vacant British super-middleweight title.