Brook vs Bizier: Challenger Kevin Bizier looking to make Kell Brook fight inside

Kevin Bizier can't be concerned with whether or not people see him as a truly worthy challenger when he faces IBF welterweight titleholder Kell Brook on March 26. The Canadian fighter, who is the mandatory challenger for the belt, says he's got a plan to get inside and make Brook uncomfortable in his bid for an upset win in Sheffield, England.

Bizier (25-2, 17 KO) respects Brook's skills and power, and believes that forcing the fight into close quarters will give him the best shot to win:

"To win rounds and spoil Brook's party, I'll have to apply constant pressure to him and get in his face. I've worked a lot on my inside work as I cannot stay at the end of his jab. Brook is a big hitter who manages distance well, I'll have to get into the pocket. Boxing inside will give me a better chance to win."

The 31-year-old Bizier has won two straight fights since a 2014 loss to Jo Jo Dan, including a win over previously unbeaten Fredrick Lawson in the IBF eliminator last November. Brook (35-0, 24 KO) will be making the third defense of the belt he won from Shawn Porter in the summer of 2014.

In 2015, Brook beat Dan (RTD-4) and Frankie Gavin (TKO-6), but he'll have been out of the ring for 10 months by the time he fights Bizier. He and his team at Matchroom Boxing put a lot of effort into trying to secure a big money fight with Amir Khan, which went up in smoke when Khan signed to face Canelo Alvarez instead.