Kell Brook (39-2, 27 KOs) looked as good as new on Saturday night in returning from a 14 month layoff to crush his over-matched opponent Mark DeLuca (24-2, 13 KOs) in stopping him in the 7th round at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield, England.
Brook wore the 31-year-old American DeLuca down slowl before flattening him with a big left in the 7th. The 33-year-old Brook dominated DeLuca from start to finish in systematically breaking him down with heavy power shots in close.
DeLuca made Brook’s job a lot easier by fighting with his back against the ropes, and not letting his hands go the wy he needed to. Obviously, DeLuca was well chosen by Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn to make sure that he wasn’t a big threat, as Kell had been out of the ring for 14 months coming into tonight’s contest.
Hearn proclaims Brook a “changed man”
“Brook is a different person, he was spiteful,” said Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn after the fight. “Brook showed he’s still got everything left, now he’s got the mind, brain and engine. He can become a two-weight world champion. If Brook and [Liam] Smith fight, that would be a final eliminator for the WBO world title.”
Kid Galahad obliterates Claudio Marrero
Former featherweight world title challenger Kid Galahad (27-1, 16 KOs) beat Claudio Marrero (24-4, 17 KOs) by an 8th round knockout in an IBF 126-lb title eliminator on Saturday night at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. The contest was halted by Marrero’s corner after the round ended.
The victory for Galahad, 29, makes him the mandatory for IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington, who beat him last June by a 12 round split decision. It’s fortunate for Galahad that he’s now in position for a quick rematch.
“I’m over the moon, I knew I had to bring my A-game, he could do everything,” said Galahad to Sky Sports after his win. “After last time against Warrington, I couldn’t leave anything to the judges.”
David Allen crushes Dorian Darch
In a nice little bounce back fight, domestic level heavyweight David Allen (18-5-2, 15 KOs) had too much power for journeyman Dorian Darch (12-12-1, 1 KO) in stopping him in the 3rd round.
Allen, 27, hurt Darch with a right hand followed by a left hook that put him down hard on the canvas. After Darch got up, Allen knocked him down with another booming left hand. The fight was then mercifully stopped.
“This means the world to me, I’ve waited for this moment for a long time. I’ve come back because I love the game.” said Allen. “Whatever I have is because of boxing.”
Other results:
Martin J Ward UD 10 Jesus Amparan
