By Gav Duthie: ‘The Special One’ Kell Brook 34-0 (23) is finally becoming a big name in the sport after years trying to get into the limelight. Brook is part of the long running Ingle stable that have been creating world champions for decades. This article evaluates the success of the Ingle philosophy as well as Brook’s place in the pack.

The Ingle Philosophy

The Brendan Ingle style is relatively unique. Back in the early 90s the process was displayed by Herol Graham when there were very few fighters who fought this way. It is quite an unorthodox counter punching yet aggressive style that has became more popular since Naseem Hamed brought it to ultimate prominence in the UK. The most successful names in the group are Herol Graham, Johnny Nelson, Naseem Hamed and Junior Witter. Son Dominic Ingle has taken on the main responsibilities for the current crop lead by Kell Brook and young Kid Galahad.

Here are the main cliff notes:

Footwork – There is a high emphasis on how your feet are planted. Usually quite wide apart to deliver fast and accurate counter punches with either hand from unorthodox angles.

Accuracy/Low punch output – They generally don’t have a high punch output. They concentrate on making punches count. Hooks are often a signature shot. It can be quite frustrating as you often think they should be working harder but the process is calm. The fighters are generally fast but don’t throw a huge amount of combinations generally looking for one big shot.

Switch hitting – To keep the opponent guessing they often switch stance between orthodox and southpaw. Brook did it a few times to land right hands against Jo Jo Dan on saturday but he generally fights orthodox. Junior Witter probably more than anyone could switch half a dozen times in a round.

Inside Fighting – This is a key weakness area. With the wide stance and countering the fighters are often unsuited to punching at close quarters. Many complained about Brook’s holding in the Porter fight and that is possibly due to Ingle fighters generally trying to control the pace and range of the fight. As a result it can be difficult to grind out wins if things are not going there way.

Low guard – The defence is based highly on footwork and reflexes. The likes of Hamed would lean back to avoid punches and counter. This tactic is quite good for landing lead hooks and uppercuts but good straight punches can find it easier to tag you. Most boxing trainers wouldn’t ask you to work in this way but it can bring success.

Power – As with any top boxer jabs are important but these fighters often throw lead punches as power shots. Traditional training suggests the jab sets up everything but on Saturday you could see Brook throwing lead right hands because Dan couldn’t deal with them. Hamed and Witter sometimes didn’t throw jabs at all.

Herol Graham

Many who boxed around this time say Graham is one of the best boxers never to win a world title. Chris Eubank stated he would never consider defending his title against him because he didn’t feel he could beat him. Graham’s defining career moment came when he was brutally stopped by Julian Jackson (worth a watch if never seen) who was one of the hardest punchers of all time when he was looking extremely comfortable.

Graham was possibly the most elusive and quickest of all Ingles fighters but does not compare to Brook in terms of his jab and his timing. Brook also has a better chin and seems to be improving in the uglier side of the game after the Carson Jones lesson.

Johnny Nelson

Without a doubt the crowning glory of the Ingle’s Sheffield boxing club. Nelson used to get laughed at by boxers and trainers alike at the gym. 3 wins from 13 amateur fights and lost his first 3 as a pro. From that they shaped and moulded a 7 year WBO Cruiserweight champion, with a joint equal record of 13 defences alongside Marco Huck. Nelson had determination and they instilled killer instinct and power. Brook is comparable with his power and uses the jab better to keep his range, something that Nelson improved dramatically as champion.

Naseem Hamed

Naseem Hamed was box office his counter punching but aggressive style destroyed both tentative and aggressive boxers but he struggled with Barrera’s composed pressure, jab and counter punching. Naseem was accused in the latter stages of his career of coasting in training and lacking dedication and motivation. He retired at only 28 years of age, Brook has been accused in the past of similar training lapses, over eating and partying. The stabbing incident seems to have given him a new found respect for the sport and himself as an athlete. I feel along with Naz he is the most naturally talented of the Ingle stable and only if he lacks 100% motivation will he fail.

Junior Witter

Many found Witter boring despite going 15-0 (15) in the prime of his career but his work rate was often low and he was finally exposed when he fought a young Tim Bradley. Witter had power with both hands and was often difficult to tag clean. The key was frustrating him and working at a higher tempo. Brook seems to have both composure and a greater sense of urgency when needed so shouldn’t suffer from the same issues.

Kid Galahad

An emerging talent in the super bantamweight division, undefeated and looking for fights against Quigg and Frampton. A present he has been a bit hamstrung by promoter Barry Hennessey and channel 5 boxing but has been on boxnation of late. He openly credits Prince Naseem Hamed for him taking up boxing and he will learn a lot from working alongside Brook. Like Kell, Galahad is fighting in one of the hottest divisions in boxing and will need to beat a top fighter to become champion.

The Ingle stable has produced champions and will continue to do so but for me in time I think Kell Brook will prove to be the best of the lot.