Kell Brook will aim to win a Lonsdale belt outright on July 18 when he defends his British welterweight title against Michael Lomax. The Sheffield prospect – who has already picked the nickname “Special K” in building up a 19-fight unbeaten record – will form part of the huge undercard to Amir Khan’s WBA light-welterweight title challenge against Andreas Kotelnik. And the 23-year-old is aiming to win a Lonsdale belt inside 14 months, having taken just seven completed rounds to win three British title fights already. After stopping Barrie Jones in the seventh, he put former British champion Kevin McIntyre on the floor three times in the first before bombing out Stuart Elwell in two..
But Brook could find the going a lot tougher against Lomax, who won a recent Prizefighter tournament and trains out of the same camp as British Super-Featherweight Champion Kevin Mitchell and former WBO World Super-Featherweight Champion Nick Cook.
The Essex southpaw, 30, has a 15-1-1 record and will also enjoy a significant height and reach advantage over Brook.
“This is the toughest fight of my career,” said Brook, who has stopped 12 of 19 foes.
“Lomax is a quality operater, but once he tastes my power there will only be one winner.
“I’ve had an early bath in all my British title fights, and I’m planning another one on July 14.
“It’s a great buzz when you are knocking people out, and I’m aiming for an electric display next month.”
Brook, now fighting out of the world famous Brendan Ingle gym, also has his sights set on European and world glory.
“I’m the real deal and I want to be fighting for a world title by this time next year,” he added.
But experienced Lomax hit back by saying: “Brook hasn’t fought anyone in my class, and he’s in for a shock when we meet.
“That British title is coming back to Essex, and Kell’s only keeping it warm for me. I’m the better boxer and everyone will see that on July 18.”
Tickets priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £150, £200, £300 & £500 are available from:
M.E.N Arena Box Office: 0844 847 8000 or online at www.men-arena.com
See Tickets: 0871 220 0260 or online at www.seetickets.co.uk
Khan Boxing: 01204 535 332 or online at www.amirkhan-boxing.com
DAZZLER’S TEN DAY DOUBLE
DARREN SUTHERLAND plans to steal a march on his Olympic rivals with two wins in ten days.
Ireland’s Beijing bronze medallist bids for his fourth straight win at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Tuesday (30/6) when he boxes Ukraine’s Gennadiy Rasalev (2-1) in a super-middleweight six rounder.
Provided he comes through the test unscathed, ‘Dazzler’ will appear on the same card as possible future opponent Tony Jeffries at Sunderland’s Seaburn Centre on Friday June 10.
Sutherland, 27, is now based in Bromley and promoter Frank Maloney is backing him to impress on his London debut.
He said: “The York Hall crowd is one of the most knowledgeable in the world and they know a good fighter when they see one.
“I firmly believe that they will take to Darren and his popularity will quickly gain momentum in England.
“Every time I speak to Darren’s trainer Brian Lawrence he talks about the non-stop improvement.
“You improve most from ring action and two fights in ten days will bring Darren on no end. I’m proud to say there has been no Olympian busier than him and Tony Jeffries this year.
“I can’t believe that the two real Olympians are part of the FTM team.”
Maloney is also excited about Chatham heavyweight Tom ‘The Bomb’ Dallas (5-0) who boxes on the talent stacked York Hall bill.
Dallas, 24, meets another Ukrainian Stas Belekon (3-1) and Maloney added: “Tom is hitting harder and within 18 months the British title will be within his grasp.”
Top of the bill at York Hall is Jason Booth’s (32-5) British super-bantamweight title defence against Rocky Dean (14-10-2).
The action packed card also features a fierce British featherweight title eliminator between Harrow’s Sikh slugger Akaash Bhatia (14-0) and Welshman Jamie Arthur (14-2).
Tickets for ‘Back from the Brink’ are available at £80 (ringside) and £40 from all fighters and 0871 226 1508. To obtain a discount on all ticket prices buy from www.frankmaloney.com
O’Meara tickled pink by title talk
Steve O’Meara admits he’s tickled pink at the thought of getting himself into title contention. The unbeaten Londoner has become easily identifiable to fight fans courtesy of his pink boxing shorts and a string of impressive performances that have seen him record 8 straight wins.
O’Meara will have his ninth pro fight at the York Hall, Bethnal Green on July 18th in what will be his first scheduled 8 rounder as he builds towards a planned Southern Area title fight in the Autumn.
The Hennessy Sports event is live on ITV4 and headlined by the British Light Heavyweight title fight between Danny McIntosh and Nathan Cleverly with O’Meara in action on the undercard.
The Wembley based fighter however has revealed that he may not be decked out in pink this time around! “I’m thinking of getting new shorts made up for this fight,” said O’Meara. “The pink ones have certainly got me noticed but I’m getting a bit of stick from my mates over them so we’ll see. They’ve brought me good luck so far though so maybe I should stick with them!”
O’Meara is hopeful that an impressive win next month could catapult him into a Southern Area title shot. “Every boxer gets into this sport to fight for titles and I’m no different. The Southern Area title is a great stepping stone title and can lead on to bigger and better things so I’d love to fight for it.
“I make light middleweight comfortably and I think I could do welterweight as well so I’d take a shot at either weight if it came my way. That’s definitely something I want on my record in the next few fights but I need to get over July 18th first.”
The 25-year-old is also eyeing a possible Irish title shot courtesy of his Irish roots. “My parents are Irish so I’m eligible to fight for the Irish title and I know it would make my family really proud if I won that belt so that’s another option for me.”
O’Meara who has previously worked as a model has given up his job as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor to concentrate fully on his boxing career.
“I was spending all my time in a gym either through work or boxing and I think it meant I wasn’t as focused as I could be. I’m training full time now so when I’m in the gym I’m there for my boxing and nothing else and I can really notice the difference.”
A clash of unbeaten fighters tops the bill at the York Hall on July 18th with Danny McIntosh and Nathan Cleverly squaring off for the British Light Heavyweight title. The undercard features former British and European Champion Jon Thaxton alongside unbeaten Heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury and Ireland’s European Union Lightweight Champion Andy Murray.
Hot prospects Steve O’Meara, Dwayne Lewis, Bradley Evans, Del Rogers and Bobby Ward also feature on an action packed night of championship boxing. Tickets (£35 Unreserved and £70 Ringside) are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.