Eddie Hearn: 'Kell Brook can become global star if he defeats Gennady Golovkin'

Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn has claimed that Kell Brook can become the number one boxer in the world if he defeats Gennady Golovkin in tonight's world middleweight title clash in London's O2 Arena.

The 30-year-old Yorkshireman has gone up two weight divisions to compete against Golovkin, who is widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter following the retirement of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The Kazakhstani professional has an unbeaten 35-fight record, with 32 knockout wins, while Brook has won all of his 36 bouts so far.

"Golovkin is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world," Hearn told Sky Sports News. "Some agree some don't. The majority agree. Therefore if Kell beats him, he's number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

"That's why we're taking this fight - to make that step, to become that global star. To become a global star, you've got to take risks.

"You can't just wake up in the morning, beat some bloke who is 26-5 and become the greatest fighter in the world. You've got to go and do something out of the ordinary and that is beating Gennady Golovkin."

Brook has registered 25 knockouts in his career so far.