I'm not a person who is afraid to fly in the face of conventional wisdom. So I am going to go out on a limb and predict that Kell Brook will defeat Gennady Golovkin at the London O2 Arena on Saturday.

For me all the stars are aligned...

History

Leonard/ Hagler

I've heard Brook himself compare this fight to Leonard/ Hagler. He needed worry that much. GGG is no Marvin Hagler. I expect youngsters to scoff.

"What middleweight could be as tough and awe-inspiring than GGG?!", they gasp.

I'll name one.Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Hagler was undefeated for 11 years when he succumb to the dazzling skill of Sugar Ray Leonard. Leonard used his fast and flashy hands to steal rounds in the closing 30 seconds of rounds to steal a split decision. I can easily see Brook employing a similar tactic successfully against Golovkin.

However Brook needn't look over the pond nor go back to the eighties for inspiration. He can look to events more recent and closer to home for inspiration.

Calzaghe/ Jeff Lacy

IBF Super Middleweight title holder, Jeff Lacy came to Machester in 2006 with great expectations of dethroning the then WBO title holder, Welsh wizard Joe Calzaghe. Many thought Calzaghe's rain as a 'protected' champion would come to and end. They were wrong and it was Lacy that was exposed as a fierce but limited pretender.

I see similarities between Lacy and GGG. Fearsome striker vs the slick boxer. GGG could easily see himself come unstuck against Brook.

Nigel Benn/ Gerald McClellan

In the words of Nigel Benn, McClellan was sent to the UK to "beat him up". I know people rave about Triple G, however it was the G-man who ranks to many as the hardest hitting and meanest Middleweight the world has known. Yet it was Benn who got off the floor (he was literally knocked out of the ring), to claim victory in the tenth round (unfortunately with tragic consequences for McClellan). I can see Brook however to weather an early onslaught to eek out a win against Golovkin.

Pedigree

Ingle Gym

Brook has been a product of the world-renowned Ingle Gym since his dad walked him through the gym doors at the age of nine. Brook has not only learned his craft under the tutelage of Brendan and Dominic Ingle, he has also be schooled under a who's who of British Boxing

Herol 'Bomber' Graham

generally acknowledged as one of the best British boxers of the post-war era to have never won a world title.

wiki

Johnny Nelson

Now known as a boxing pundit, Nelson was a cruiser-weight world champion for over 7 years.

Junior Witter

Known for his awkward style, 'The Hitter' was one of the most avoided fighters in the welterweight division. He was to Ricky Hatton what Brook is to Amir Khan.

Prince Naseem Hamed

THE most well known fighter from the Ingle Gym. 'Nas' dazzled the world with his unorthodox style, flamboyant entrances and devastating punching power.

Brook the best of the lot.

I'd argue Brook, the latest Ingle prodigy is probably the best of the lot. Speed, timing, devastating punching power, elusive defence, great footwork. Brook has it all. The only thing missing was that platform to showcase his talent. He has that platform tonight.

The perfect foe

In many ways, Golovkin is the ideal foe for Brook.

The hunter being hunted

In most of his fights Brook has had to hunt for his opponents. Brook can look forward to a confident, open Golovkin coming onto him. Golovkin will be confident that he can take Brooks shots. However it will be the punches he does see from Brooks fast hands that will be the Kazakhstani's undoing.

A scared man is a dangerous man

Brooks instincts will be razor sharp and he will be super-focussed against Golovkin. He will be scared. However that fear will fuel him. Fuel him to be the most alert and alive fighter he can be. Brook has an opportunity to rise to the occasion. And he will.

Motivation

A super-fight against Golovkin will prove the ultimate motivator for Brook. Despite being unbeaten it is common knowledge that most of Brooks opponents have not motivated him. When he had a chance to show what he was made of against Shaun Porter, the American's marauding style made for an ugly fight. This is Brook's time shine. On the biggest stage. Against the biggest name in boxing. Kell will be up for it.

Obvious threat

Brook knows what to expect from Golovkin. Heavy hands and hard punches. Golovkin has been so dominate in recently years that he has become predictable.

Brooks biggest asset may be HIS own unpredictability. Coming from the Ingle Gym, he'll have been breed with the ability to make angles, hit GGG with unpredictable shots. Kell could easily bamboozle a relatively static Golovkin with his speed, style and shot selection.

Home advantage

I don't care where Golovkin has fought in the World, nothing will prepare him for what he is about to experience in London tonight. I live just a stones throw away from the O2. The something in the air here. Coming to the UK and thinking you're going to be in for an easy night, can invariably lead to defeat.

Even if Golovkin is too seasoned to be affected by the hostile atmosphere, Brook is sure to be inspired by it. Despite being from "Up North", the Sheffield man is going to feel like he's fighting in his back garden when they ringwalk at 10pm local time. It should bring out the best Kell Brook.

Chance to be a Legend

Brook has a chance to catapult himself into greatness. He is speaking like a man that knows the magnitude of the occasion. For me, he has a shot.

He only has to beat Golovkin.

Of the the annuals of great fighters, he's not having to beat a peak Mike Tyson or Sugar Ray Robinson or Ray Leonard or Ali or Foreman or Marciano or Willie Pep or even Floyd Mayweather Jr...