Kell Brook v Gennady Golovkin: Make a Friend of Fear. Britain’s Kell Brook aims to beat Gennady Golovkin when he challenges the middleweight king at London’s O2 on Saturday. Brook, who is the current IBF welterweight champion, is jumping two weight divisions to take on the undefeated powerhouse Golovkin. In this post, we will examine how Brook utilises fear as a catalyst for developing a positive outlook.

“I want to do what Leonard did with Hagler – use my speed, my footwork and box the perfect fight,” said Brook.

Kell Brook aims to emulate welterweight great Sugar Ray Leonard when he challenges middleweight king Gennady Golovkin. Leonard came out of retirement in 1987 to beat world middleweight champion, Marvin Hagler in one of boxing’s most controversial decisions.

Brook on Golovkin –

“I do fear him. Of course I do. I know he’s a big puncher and that nobody wants to fight him for a reason.”

Turning Negatives into Positives: Reframing

Reframing allows us to put a positive spin on events and turn apparent problems into opportunities. We interpret events and experiences based on our beliefs and values. Therefore, the meaning we attach to an event depends on these filters we use unconsciously to interpret it.

If we can consistently put a positive ‘Spin’ on events, the chances are that we will have a much more positive outlook.

Let’s take a closer look at Kell Brook’s reframing of fear. In his first statement, Brook acknowledges his fear and rationalises why. “I do fear him. Of course I do. I know he’s a big puncher and that nobody wants to fight him for a reason.” 

In the next sentence, he starts with ‘but’. But acts as a delete button ignoring what was said before it, and follows up with reframing fear as being positive. Brook then uses the conjunction ‘because’ to explain why it is positive. This is cause and effect.

• Cause – Fear, reframed as – “the fear is positive”
• Effect -” It’s going to make me super-sharp with cat-like reactions!”

“But the fear is positive because it’s going to make me super-sharp with cat-like reactions!”

Brook then uses an example to validate his belief. This example from the past (Leonard vs. Hagler) forms a big part of Kell Brook’s belief that fear is a positive.

“You could see the fear in Leonard’s eyes when he was in with Hagler – that’s why he was so sharp and zoomed in.”

Seeing is believing – again Brook takes inspiration from the classic fight (Leonard Vs. Hagler) to further strengthen his belief of ‘fear being positive.’

“I want to do what Leonard did with Hagler – use my speed, my footwork and box the perfect fight,” said Brook.

Make a Friend of Fear in a nutshell

• Accept that you are fearful
• Think of the positive aspect of your fear ‘reframe’
• Use a because statement to give it validation
• See if you can find others who have ‘reframed’ fear in similar situations – use this to strengthen your belief