Kell Brook v Mark DeLuca: boxing tips and verdict for the showdown in Sheffield

Free boxing tips and predictions for Kell Brook v Mark DeLuca at the Sheffield Arena.

When to watch

Sky Sports Action, from 7pm Saturday

Best bet

Kell Brook to win in rounds seven to 12
1pt 2-1 Coral, Ladbrokes

Brook v DeLuca preview

Kell Brook needs an eye-catching performance to save his career and stay relevant at world level after 14 months out of the ring.

His promoter Eddie Hearn has said: "Ill discipline has cost him in his career, now he's got to the stage where he knows he's got to make it count." Brook can afford no slip-ups against unknown American Mark DeLuca in front of his hometown fans in Sheffield.

If he can return to form a world-title shot or a megabucks all-British showdown against either Amir Khan or Liam Smith could be next.

Bazooka DeLuca has lost only once in 25 fights but there is nothing on his record to suggest he is capable of beating a switched-on Brook and a modest KO ratio of 52 per cent shouldn't worry the Brit if he has prepared properly.

There is no point in Brook looking for an early finish as he needs rounds under his belt, but he is under pressure to put in a good performance. With that in mind, odds of 2-1 for Brook to stop DeLuca in the second half of the fight look worth snapping up.

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