At last night’s annual British Boxing Board of Control awards dinner in London – run in association with Boxing News magazine – unbeaten current IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook was named as fighter of the year.
Last year’s award went to former super middleweight world champion Carl Froch, and recognises the period August 1 2014 – July 31, 2015, just encompassing the month of Brook’s career best and title winning triumph over Shawn Porter in Carson, California last year – a fantastic achievement.
Since that time “The Special One” has had a relatively lukewarm 2015, returning in February after a machete attack on holiday in Tenerife, to fight over-matched mandatory challenger JoJo Dan whom he blew away in just 4 one sided rounds. After promoter Eddie Hearn’s promises of setting up a “massive summer fight,” Brook was signed to defend against former world amateur champion Frankie Gavin, who has arguably failed to fulfill his former potential in the professional ranks.
One fighter who some may feel could have also been a worthy winner is Doncaster’s WBA (reg) bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell, who defended his title twice in the eligible period, stopping late notice former world title challenger Javier Chacon [November 2014 in admitted controversial fashion] before himself heading to America and defending again, this time edging out a thriller against the dangerous and world class Tomoki Kameda, in Texas, in May.
Hearing of his win, Brook, who was not at the event as is in training for an October 24th defence against Diego Chaves, tweeted.
“Just heard I won the BBBofC boxer of the year..wow! Thanks to the fans @skysports @matchroomboxing Lets do this Oct 24@SheffieldArena.”
Twitter @Undilutedpoison