Kell Brook came through the biggest test of his career with flying colours after claiming an impressive points victory over Lovemore N’dou in Sheffield.
The 25 year-old was roared into the ring by the packed out crowd in the Hillsborough Leisure Centre and as promised, he dazzled his hometown crowd with a fine display against the teak tough Australian-based South African to claim the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Inter-Continental Welterweight title.
Brook took control of the fight from the third round and never looked in trouble against the 39 year-old, and as the fight moved into the closing stages, he had his followers on their feet as he got closer to becoming the first man to stop N’dou in 63 fights.
But N’dou showed great heart and strength, holding on to deny Brook a 17th stoppage win in his career but he was awarded the fight by all three judges (118-111, 119-110, 119-110). Aside from the victory, Brook showed his full repertoire of punches, proved he could take a punch after absorbing N’dou’s best flurries and also went the distance for the first time in his career – a remarkable achievement after six months out of the ring.
“I expected it to go 12 – I said I wanted to stop him to hype it up and get people interested but in the back of my mind, I knew it was going to go the distance,” said Brook. “It’s a big learning curve in my career going the full 12 for the first time. Maybe I held a few things back and there were certain things that I did wrong but I know what they were. He’s very tough and keeps coming for the whole 12 rounds.
“I wanted to float about and try different things because I’ve never been 12 rounds. He threw some good shots but I think I took them well and always knew where I was in the fight. He knows every single trick in the book and he knows his way around the ring and how to survive.”
“All the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up when I walked out there. I loved every minute of it. Eddie wants to get me out again maybe in October and I want to be more active because I have been a bit stagnant. With the sort of crowd we had here tonight, I’ll be asking Eddie to keep me in Sheffield because it was buzzing in there. Everyone in Sheffield loves their boxing and we’ll be looking for an even bigger show next time.”
Elsewhere on the bill, there were mixed fortunes for the locals. Sheffield heavyweight Richard Towers claimed a points win over Ismail Abdoul but Wayne Reed was stopped by former World Champion Robin Reid in the fourth. Paul David saw off a spirited Billy Boyle, Liverpool’s Lee Jennings was impressive in taking out Chris Truman in the opening round and Ryan Aston had a victorious debut against Iain Jackson.
Quigg vs. Varela on July 23 in WBA title eliminator
SCOTT QUIGG’S showdown against Franklin Varela next month will be a World Boxing Association (WBA) world title eliminator.
The 22-year-old will also risk WBA intercontinental super-bantamweight title against the Venezuelan in his hometown at Bury’s Castle Leisure Centre on Saturday July 23.
But crucially the prestigious governing body have made the bout an eliminator for Japanese star Akifumi Shimoda’s WBA world crown.
In the organisation’s latest published rankings Scott is ranked seventh, with Varela just behind him at number 11.
Whoever wins the Bury brawl will be elevated higher and closing in on the winner of Shimoda’s defence next month against number one contender Rico Ramos.
Quigg who is also due to meet British champion Jason Booth in October has won all 21 pro fights.
He said after receiving the news from Hatton Promotions agent Philippe Fondu: “I am buzzing about the news and Hatton Promotions have delivered yet again.”
Varela has won 19 of his 24 contests and Hatton Promotions President Ricky Hatton added: “We have moved Scot along steadily, but now he is in world class and will prove it against Varela.”
The last few for show which will not be televised are priced £75(VIP Ringside), £55 (Ringside) and £35 General admission and available from www.brandhatton.com /0844 847 2500/ 01925 755222
Coyne Still Wants Jones
World Boxing Council (WBC) USNBC cruiserweight champion Ryan “The Irish Outlaw” Coyne (17-0, 6KOs) added the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedelatin title to his collection when he defeated David McNemar (13-1, 10KOs) via unanimous decision Saturday night at the Family Arena in his hometown of St. Charles, Missouri.
The previously unbeaten McNemar was a last minute replacement for WBA cruiserweight champion Guillermo Jones and despite of the short notice, put up a game fight.
Coyne acknowledged that it was tough to go from preparing for Jones to preparing for McNemar whom he didn’t have tape on, “It was tough to adjust to McNemar’s style on short notice. We trained very hard in camp for Guillermo Jones and we didn’t even have film of McNemar. His style is completely different than Jones. He had film on me but I didn’t have any on him.”
The “Irish Outlaw” hopes that Jones will honor his contract and face him next. No matter what Jones decides to do, Coyne hopes to be back in the ring very soon.
“I would like to say thanks to all my loyal fans who showed up to support me on fight night,” Coyne stated. “I am going to keep working hard and I will be fighting for my first world title sooner rather than later.”