Brook v McIntyre Preview

There could be fireworks in Glasgow on Friday night when one of the most eagerly anticipated fights of the autumn season takes place at Kelvin Hall.

Kell Brook defends his British welterweight title as the "away" man against Kevin McIntyre, and with little love lost between the two the atmospheric venue seems a perfect setting.

McIntyre believes that Brook should be coming to Scotland as the challenger, not the champion, and hasn't been slow to let his views be known.

In the summer, the Paisley postman was twice due to defend his Lonsdale belt against Brook, but on each occasion was forced out with an injury.

Rather than allow a postponement, the Board of Control stripped McIntyre and handed Brook the chance to challenge for the vacant title.

Although they belated installed McIntyre as mandatory challenger after Brook beat Barrie Jones to lift the belt, it did little to allay the Scotsman's understandable upset.

The pair have since swapped insults in the press - although both insist they respect the other - which has helped hype an already intriguing fight.

McIntyre's rise to British champion was one of the boxing stories of 2007: seemingly no more than a gatekeeper to domestic class, the 30-year-old first upset unbeaten Tony Doherty in Cardiff, then floored and widely out-pointed touted champion Kevin Anderson in Scotland.

A rematch against Anderson was closer but went the same way, and McIntyre's unexpected and later career surge was complete.

But can he maintain the momentum against a young and hungry fighter in the form of Brook?

The bookies don't seem to think so, with the Sheffield tyro - unbeaten in 17 and impressing with a seventh round stoppage of Jones to win the belt - installed as a wide favourite.

Brook is relatively untested at championship level, but is an awkward, concussive puncher who now fights out of an resurgent Brendan Ingle stable having recently rejoined the experienced Irishman, the man who first nurtured his talent.

The links with Ingle have prompted some to compare the 23-year-old to Naseem Hamed, and there are similarities in both looks and style, although Brook is more orthodox than Sheffield's most famous fighter.

The clash with McIntyre is undoubtedly his toughest, especially as the challenger has plenty of experience - he first fought for the British title as long ago as December 2003 against David Barnes - while Brook, quite frankly, does not.

In fact, the Jones fight aside, Brook has mainly met journeymen and because of that is still a relative an unknown quantity.

Yet he seems to have something about him, and impressed with the way in which he picked his punches and kept his calm against Jones.

Much-avoided by his fellow prospects - the boxers who have pulled out of fights with him form a long and impressive list - rumour has it that Brook looks a million dollars in the gym, and he seemed to confirm some of that gossip against Jones.

Although he has his two wins over Anderson, McIntyre was stopped against Barnes, and he has been halted on three other occasions, albeit his two most recent KO defeats were at light-welterweight.

He could give Brook some awkward moments, and fueled by a sense of injustice - and a passionate, sell-out crowd - he can't be ruled out entirely.

But Brook, ready to step into the limelight, looks the pick for a late stoppage having worn down his gritty opponent in an absorbing contest.

Sky Sports televise live.