KELL Brook mixes his metaphors almost as much as he varies his punches.
"I am ready, I am chiselled, I am a racing snake," he announces on the eve of tomorrow's British title challenge.
"I am a stallion," he sheepishly grins, knowing, perhaps, that he's now going a tad too far in his pre-fight self-description.
Yet looking at this latest starlet off Sheffield's boxing production line, you can easily forgive his over-exhuberence.
Because Brook is indeed in his prime.
Not for him the fast-food lifestyle of his past which saw him sometimes struggle to make weight.
The Kell Brook who takes on Welshman Barrie Jones for the British welterweight title at London's Bethnal Green is honed both physically and mentally.
At 22, Kell has grown up.
"When I was younger, I was always into boxing, but I'd do only what I thought was necessary and would cut corners," he admits.
"I was messing about, had food problems, problems with a girlfriend, but I've got rid of them all now.
"If you are eating burgers all the time it is like putting diesel in a petrol car.
"My head is switched on and I recognise that boxers cannot win anything unless they are completely dedicated" added the Hillsborough fighter.
There is no finer role model to follow in sport than his stable-mate, Ryan Rhodes, who won his own British title, at middleweight, in April.
"When I was younger at Brendan Ingle's gym, Ryan and Naz (Naseem Hamed) were my inspiration," Brook added.
"Now in a matter of months I have got a chance of achieving what Ryan has done. For me, that's unbelievable.
"Ryan will walk with me into the ring tomorrow 'bigging me up'.
"He has been through it all himself and I will use some of his advice and experience to win my own title."
Brook (16-0-0) boxes Rhondda southpaw Jones (15-1-0) on a Setanta TV show.
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categories
The full article contains 370 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.