British Boxing News
Joshua was back in action after five months out of the ring with a stress fracture of the back, and opposing him was the ebullient Gavern, fighting for the 50th time in the paid ranks.
Gavern started well as Joshua eased his way back into the swing of things, but the American was floored twice in the second round as Joshua found his groove – but Gavern raised his hand in defiance as he heard the bell and headed back to his corner.
British boxing’s biggest rivals Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jnr. will joint-headline a massive fight card in separate fights at the SSE Wembley Arena on Saturday 9th May as they close in on a potential Autumn blockbuster rematch.
Undefeated Hatfield ace Saunders will feature in an International Middleweight Contest against an opponent to be announced, whilst Eubank Jnr. makes the first defence of his WBA Interim World title against tough Australian Les Sherrington.
A stress fracture of the back forced Joshua out of his January bout with Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson, and the Olympic gold medal hero said it was tough not to capitalise on his rapid progress following another brutal KO win over Michael Sprott in Liverpool in November, but the 25 year old says he will be back and better than ever in the north east.
“I was on a roll and there was great momentum, but I think I can pick that up again,” said Joshua.
Kell Brook returned home to Sheffield tonight to successfully defend his IBF World welterweight belt against Jo Jo Dan, with a 4th round stoppage.
Once more the undercard was packed with a host of live fighters, very much fixated on progression and eager to impress on such an important night.
Sergey Khomitsky KO4 Adam Etches
Brit basher and veteran Belarusian middleweight Sergey Khomitsky once more brought his bucket of water with him to Sheffield and gleefully doused the home faithful’s hopes once more, knocking out home favourite Adam Etches in the 4th round of their IBF international middleweight title fight.
Brook sent out a chilling message to the rest of the welterweight division by flooring Dan four times in front of a rapturous home support to finally consummate the championship he won superbly 7 months ago.
From the moment ‘All of the Lights’ erupted throughout the arena and the beloved champion rose from the bowels of his fortress, he looked up to the sky and you felt the weight of a tumultuous 6 months lift from his shoulders.
This was the Kell Brook from Carson City in August and Jo Jo Dan had absolutely no answer to him.
Brook came to the ring to a rapturous reception and rose to the occasion like an elite World ruler. The Sheffield star eased into the opening round and Dan felt the first of many right hands in the second half of the first stanza.
A sign of things to follow came in the second round as Dan hit the canvas early and then again after making the count, both from right uppercuts. The Romanian-Canadian was wobbled once more with a minute to go but gritted his teeth to hear the bell.
‘The Upsetter’ defied the odds once more to come on strong from the 6th round to turn the tide on the challenger who had built up a substantial lead through the first 5 sessions – certainly in my opinion at least.
Askin started the better, controlling the 1st round with sharp movement to keep the stalking McKenzie off balance, popping a stiff left jab catching his static looking foe.
It will be Brook’s first defence of his crown, won in hostile territory when outpointing the feared American Shawn Porter in August of 2014.
Yorkshire above most, if not all, UK regions embodies the Ricky Hatton-esque spirit of the British boxing fan. You know what I’m talking about, that intangible connection between fan and fighter, which remains the envy of world boxing.
One look at the shows undercard further illustrates Eddie Hearn’s commitment to his value for money model that gives some of Britain’s most exciting fighters a platform to grow and earn in the public eye.
Here we will review the highlights of an undercard stacked in significance and local interest, which will see a raucous atmosphere assured.
Kell Brook says he’s ready to prove he’s an elite level fighter when he defends his IBF World Welterweight title against number one mandatory challenger Jo Jo Dan tomorrow night at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, live on Sky Sports.
Brook is back in action following a rollercoaster ride in the last eight months, ripping the title from Shawn Porter in Los Angeles in August before a life-threatening attack on holiday in Spain just weeks later.
‘The Special One’ recovered from the attack and was told he would not only walk again but would be able to resume his career, and the Sheffield star has been on fire in the gym knowing that he’s back in the groove and at the top table of the lucrative Welterweight division.