When Sheffield’s Kell Brook  climbs through the ropes at the StubHub Center in Carson City California tonight to face unbeaten IBF world welterweight champion Shawn Porter, he will no doubt have already reflected on a journey in search of a world title that began in 2004, when he made his professional debut in a six-round undercard contest against Peter Buckley at the Don Valley Stadium in his home town.

No-one who followed Brook’s (pictured right) progress in those early years would have predicted it would take 10 years and 32 fights before he would fight for a world title and certainly not in an era where fighters take half that time and half those fights before they are fastening world title belts around their waists. 

But Kell Brook’s career has been nothing if not eventful, involving more twists and turns than your average US daytime soap. 

Injuries, fights postponed or cancelled and various issues outside the squared circle have conspired to make the Sheffield fighter’s climb to the peak of a world title shot a tortuous one. 

However, now that he’s made it this far, any thoughts of allowing himself to breathe a sigh of relief will be mightily suppressed with the knowledge that the man standing between him and greatness is no paper champion. 

On the contrary, Cleveland’s Porter is a fighter with the kind of juice in his hands responsible for a record 15 KOs from 25 fights and 1 draw. 

His aggressive, come forward style ensures that Brook will not have to send out search parties to find him in the ring. 

When they do close the distance it will be more gunfight than chess match given that Brook is no slouch in the KO department either, registering 22 KOs from 32 fights.

At 28, the Matchroom fighter doesn’t have time on his side, which will either prove an added burden to the considerable pressure he is already under as a result of fighting in the champion’s backyard, or inject more motivation and concentration into his performance.

Kell Brook can win this fight. He has the tools, skills and undoubtedly the experience. The question is: does he have the belief?

New side of boxing  as Kellie is born

When former boxing promoter and manager Frank Maloney went public with his new life as a woman named Kellie, the initial reaction was a wince in anticipation of the abuse and ridicule she was bound to receive within a sport that is often perceived as putting the dark into dark ages.

Frank Maloney’s career in boxing, which included managing and promoting the career of world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, guaranteed that his transition into Kellie would not go unnoticed. 

The courage in doing so, and doing so in public, has to be immeasurable. 

The years of personal turmoil and angst that must have tortured the erstwhile promoter, as he struggled with his gender, must have been hellish. 

Hopefully, the relief she is experiencing now that the world knows has in some way compensated for it.

The decision to come out as Kellie has been greeted with kindness and encouragement,rather than abuse and slander, 

Lennox Lewis sent out a tweet that was nothing if not gracious in his affection for the person responsible for steering his career to the heights, while on social media and in boxing forums the overwhelming consensus has been positive. 

Not too shoddy for a sport whose social mores have always been adjudged to lie somewhere between Neanderthal and primitive.

Respect among the greats is nice to see

One of the great traditions in boxing is the veneration in which ex-champions and top contenders are held decades after they hang up the gloves.

The plethora of dinners, events and awards ceremonies that are held around the world in tribute to the sport’s living legends is testimony to the enduring esteem in which they are held. 

The sight of a Marvellous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Robinson, Tommy Hearns or Roberto Duran being treated with respect and adulation is something to treasure.

What makes it even more heartwarming is seeing these former warriors — heavier, older and wiser — so relaxed, able to enjoy the plaudits without the pressure of preparing for a fight. 

They appear human today in ways they never could when in their pomp, defying the laws of nature again and again with superhuman feats of courage, endurance and skill in the ring.

The sight of an ageing Duran laughing and joking in the company of Sugar Ray Leonard as the Panamanian was being recognised by the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame recently was hard to reconcile with the deep enmity that existed between them in the eighties, when they fought three times.  

It is a product of time and the understanding that what they gave one another is far more powerful and enduring from anything they ever took.