Kell Brook has been here before. Six years ago, the Sheffield sharpshooter travelled to America and upset the formbook to dethrone IBF champion Shawn Porter in Carson, California.
On Saturday, Brook faces an even tougher task as he faces pound-for-pound star and WBO king Terence Crawford with more miles on the clock since that glory night against Porter [W12] in August 2014.
But Brook (39-2, 27 KOs) says he feels rejuvenated since moving back down to welterweight after a mixed campaign at 154lbs and a massive upset is on the cards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“I stop him or he quits on the stool. I’m fully focused. I’ve never been ready for a fight like this before. Looking forward to whatever Terence brings because I can match him. I’m ready for a war,” insisted Brook.
“I’ve been here before. I’ve been on this stage. I’ve been in there with pound-for-pound top fighters like [Gennady] Golovkin and Errol Spence. I took the title away from Shawn Porter in America. I know what it takes to be champion.
“He’s going to have a rude awakening, I’ll tell you that. He’s going to have a rude awakening Saturday night when he gets in there. I hope he’s [overlooking me]. I hope he is because I’m coming with force. Trust me.
“I’m in a great, great place in my mind, and my weight is fantastic for this fight. Forget the weight. The weight’s made. I think [beating Crawford] would rank above Shawn Porter given everything I’ve been through, everyone writing me off. I think you’ve got to put it up there because this is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. You’ve got to put him as number one. Nobody has done that in history from Britain, and I’m glad that all the fans will be able to see it on Premier Sports. They’re going to stay up and enjoy me become two-time world champion.
“My body clock has adjusted to the Vegas time now, so everything is on point. The sleeping, my body clock is there. Everything’s there that’s needed to win this fight.”
Crawford-Brook will air live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes at 10pm ET in the US on Saturday. UK fans can watch all the action on Premier Sports 1, starting at 12am Sunday morning.