By James Slater: Tonight in his native Sheffield, unbeaten emerging welterweight star Kell Brook pounded out a wide, exciting 12-round UD over the teak-tough Lovemore N’dou. The 25-year-old predicted his becoming the first man to stop the seasoned South African, and he came close on a couple of occasions. Only the 39-year-old’s famous chin saved him at times, as Brook really went for it.
The final scores were 119-110 twice and 118-111 all for Brook, who is now 24-0(16). N’dou falls to 48-13-2(31).
Brook showed great concentration in the opening round, as he fired in lots of accurate left jabs. N’dou showed how dangerous he could be as he slung in some lefts and rights to the head, and an fine, engrossing fight was on. Brook took the initial three minutes.
N’dou scored with a left hook upstairs in the 2nd, and Brook whipped in a combination; his two right hands really catching the eye. “The Black Panther” showed he is still fast of hand at age 39, and I shaded the round for him.
There was good to-and-fro action in the 3rd, with some good body work by the older man. Brook scored with a tasty right hand lead to the head and he also opened up with both hands. N’dou was right there with him, though, letting his own hands go. Brook, as was the case pretty much all night, did more work to take the round.
Brook, known as “Special K,” really went through the gears in the 4th, landing to body and head. The tough old warhorse took it all, however, showing that great chin. N’dou launched his own assault, with a right hand to the head getting home. Brook fired back at the end of the round in a good spell of trading between the two.
N’dou’s cheekbones were showing signs of swelling by the 5th, yet he unleashed an attack to the head. Brook, showing his own defiance, shook his head. They traded right hands to the head, but Brook was outworking the veteran. N’dou showed he was still dangerous, though, with some nice countering.
The 6th was a big round for Brook, as he landed with a right hand and an uppercut to the head. N’dou countered with a left hook to the jaw. The visiting fighter looked shaky at the end of the round, as Brook pealed off some right hands and another uppercut. This was N’dou’s worst round so far.
There was more trading in the 7th, and a good fight was being enjoyed by the fans. Brook again put his fast left jab to work. There was a burst by N’dou at the bell.
The 8th was a quiet session, and both guys were feeling the pace; with a fair amount of wrestling on both sides. Brook won the round, though.
The 9th was arguably N’dou’s best of the night, as he scored with a left hand to the head. Brook appeared to be tired, although he came back with a right hand of his own near the bell.
The 10th, and Brook came as close as anyone ever has to halting N’dou. A right hand, right uppercut combo to the head pierced N’dou’s defences, and only that amazing chin saw him through. Brook went for it, but “The Panther” fought back in an exciting round.
By the 11th it looked like Brook would fail to get his KO, even though he was still trying to get it. A step ahead pretty much all night and ahead on points, Brook still put everything into the last two rounds; the last especially. Still full of energy in the 12th, Brook landed a right hand lead, followed by a right uppercut to the head. N’dou was so tired yet he still managed to fire back some shots and hold on to the final bell.
A very good, if one-sided fight (on the cards anyway), tonight’s win by Brook showed he is a matured, talented world championship prospect. Brook also picked up the vacant WBA intercontinental belt tonight.