Kell Brook Defeats Rafal Jackiewicz

Brook’s WBA Inter-Continental title was on the line against Jackiewicz, but more importantly the fight doubled up as an eliminator for a shot at the WBA ruler Viacheslav Senchenko.

Brook, who now boasts a perfect record of 25 wins and no losses, could not have sent a more definitive message to the rest of the welterweight division in front of a sold-out hometown crowd at the Ponds Forge Arena.

Jackiewicz (38-10-1) had never previously failed to hear the final bell in his 48-fight career, but was outclassed from the off.

At the conclusion the Minsk man looked a shadow of the respected world-level campaigner he has become in recent years and, although he did not look in significant danger when the stoppage came, referee Howard Foster stepped in after six rounds of incessant punishment.

As Amir Khan prepares to step up to 147lbs in 2012, a mouth-watering all-British clash with Brook has been mooted, and the 24-year-old undoubtedly looks like a man ready to rub shoulders at boxing’s top table.

Brook began confidently, his jab regularly finding its way through Jackiewicz’s guard to leave the former European champion with reddened features at the end of the opener.

It was a similar story in the second and when Jackiewicz finally slipped Brook’s slick range-finder to get inside, he received a right hook to the temple for his troubles.

Unfortunately for the 34-year-old Pole, Brook started to bring out his full array of shots through rounds three and four.

A double jab into a left-hook dished out further damage to the head, while a rapid combination to the body had Jackiewicz gasping for air.

A small cut above the left eye and increased swelling meant the challenger’s corner were earning their purse and Brook ramped up the intent in five, repeatedly crashing home right crosses off the left lead.

The end came in the next session as Brook rounded off a clinical display in style.

After raining down the punches on the ropes, the champion beckoned his beleaguered opponent back towards the centre of the ring where a concussive left stiffened Jackiewicz’s legs, and as further rights came in Foster decided he had seen enough.

Kell Brook

The Sky Sports cameras will be in attendance when Brook tops the bill in a sold out hometown show at Ponds Forge Arena against Poland’s Rafal Jackiewicz.

The bout is nominally for Brook’s WBA Inter-Continental belt, but also doubles up as an eliminator for a shot at the WBA title proper, currently held by Ukrainian Viacheslav Senchenko.

Jackiewicz, 34, has won 23 of his last 24 contests, but the 25-year-old Brook is confident that with a crowd-pleasing style and youth on his side he can claim a victory that is expected to lead to some stellar nights in 2012.

“This guy has never been stopped and he’s boxed at world level, so he should be my toughest opponent,” said Brook after he and Jackiewicz weighed in comfortably inside the 147lb-limit.

“But he’s never been in with me and I’m going to show him the youth side, the power and the angles.

“That’s the X-factor. I’m younger, fresher, stronger and he’s going to feel it on Saturday night.”

Brook, who boasts a perfect record of 24 wins, is seen by many good judges as the next star of British boxing.

If a world title follows a triumph over Jackiewicz, a lucrative showdown with Amir Khan is mooted with the Bolton fighter set to step up to welterweight after his clash with Lamont Peterson in December.

Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn knows such well-laid plans seldom fall into place against the strain of boxing politics, but revealed that a Stateside meeting with Florida’s IBF ruler Andre Berto is a possibility if his charge lives up to his “Special K” nickname in Sheffield.

“The offers are coming in because he’s a superstar,” said Hearn.

“I’ve already been in discussions with (Berto’s promoter) Lou DiBella about the Berto fight. What I’m looking to see tomorrow night is how ready Kell is for those kind of fights.

“In my opinion, he might need one more fight before he’s ready for someone like Berto. But if he goes out there and blows Jackiewicz away in a devastating performance, we may take the punt on Berto.”

With the gauntlet thrown down, Brook is certainly not lacking in the confidence required to hold Hearn to his word.

“Whoever they put up, whoever’s the champion I’ll fight and I’ll win,” he added.

“People are also saying the Khan fight could happen next year, so let’s make it happen.”

Frankie Gavin

The unbeaten Birmingham star (11-0, 8 KOs), who headlines the card at Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester, will be fighting for the first time since leaving trainer Anthony Farnell and relocating to East London to team up with brothers Jimmy and Mark Tibbs.

Gavin, 26, is keen to put on a show but expects a tough challenge against the 31-year-old Frenchman, who has never been stopped in his 39 fights so far.

He said: “I’ve been working on new and different things in the gym with Jimmy and Mark and I’m looking forward to putting on a great show next month.

“This will also be my debut on the new fight channel BoxNation so I’m looking to make a big impression with the viewers as well.

“My trainers have been working me hard in the gym and now it’s up to me to perform on the night and show that I’m the best young talent out there.

“Horta looks likes a tough fighter, I’ve seen some clips of him on the internet, but I think that after a few rounds I’ll have his measure and take him out.

“He’s never been stopped in 39 fights so it’s a massive incentive for me to be the first to do, but I won’t be rushing in being careless to do it.”

Undefeated prospect Ronnie Heffron, 21, features as chief-support on the show and challenges for his first title when he takes on the Central Area welterweight champion Chris Johnson.

The undercard line-up features Luke Blackledge, D.T Price, Matthew Hall, Mark Evans and James Pirie.

Darren Barker

The Argentinian’s power eventually got to Barker after the 29-year-old had started the fight so well at the Boardwalk Hotel.

Both fighters used the early rounds to land jabs and Barker drew blood from Martinez’s nose in the fourth round with a good combination.

Barker got the blood flowing again in the next round when he landed a right but the champion put together a good combination in the sixth.

Martinez also finished the seventh strongly but Barker came back in the eighth.

Round nine saw Martinez again finish well and he shook Barker with two rights in the 10th which forced the Barnet fighter to rely on solid defence.

But as Barker looked to make up lost ground in the 11th he was rocked by a right which Martinez followed with another to the head which ended the contest.

Barker went to the canvas and although he tried to get back up he was counted out.

Martinez paid tribute to his opponent, saying on Sky Sports: “I wasn’t frustrated at all, it was a good job by Barker.

“I had to neutralise his attack, I had to break him down.”

Darren Barker v Sergio Martinez

The unbeaten Londoner (23-0, 14 KOs) has swept all before him so far on his way to domestic, Commonwealth and European honours but he’s now determined to establish himself on the world stage with a famous victory at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Barker goes into the fight as a big outsider against Martinez, who is ranked three on a number of P4P lists, and some would argue this could be a step too far too soon.

However, the 29-year-old believes he’s in the shape of his life to stun the Argentine and has vowed to make the most of this huge opportunity.

The European champion said: “The camp has been fantastic. It’s been a long, hard camp but I’m in fantastic condition and I can’t wait to get in the ring on Saturday night.

“Without a doubt it’s the biggest fight of my career so I’ve had to put that extra bit in and I feel fantastic for it.

“It’s a dream come true because it was the fight I really wanted and when it was finally announced I was over the moon. I always fancied the job against him so when it was signed and sealed I was buzzing.

“To get a fight like this is massive. I’ve dedicated my life to the sport since I was 12 so it’s been 17 years now and important for me to get these kinds of fights now and prove I’m the best out there. Get a bookmaker deposit bonus and have a free bet on the big fight!

“This is the start of a new chapter in my career and if I win this I’ll move on to the next. It’s exciting times for me.”

While a gutsy performance in defeat would still give him a firm platform to build on, Barker is only focused on seizing Martinez’s crown and becoming a new star of British boxing.

He said: “I haven’t thought about just turning up and putting in a good performance. It’s about me turning up, winning and grabbing that title – that’s all I’ve been thinking about. I’m here to do a job, I’m confident and I know I have what it takes to beat him.

“A win would propel me straight up the rankings – it will be my name they’re talking about and not his. Then I can be the one to push on and grab that number one spot.

“He’s 36 now and the time is right for me. I feel good, I’m young, I’m enthusiastic and I want this so badly. All these attributes put me in good stead for this fight and I think he’ll be able to feel how hungry I am on the night.

“Carl Froch has been sensational and he’s inspired me to do well. I’d love to emulate what he’s done and become another marquee name in British boxing.”

Barker doesn’t feel fazed about fighting in America for the first time and instead believes the new experience could work in his favour.

He said: “It’s a real buzz because it shows I’ve been doing everything right in my career. I haven’t put a step wrong yet and look where I am now – headlining Atlantic City against one of the best boxers in the world.

“If anything I’m excited about it and I’ll be buzzing on the night and feeling so proud for getting this far. But I won’t rest until I’ve won that fight and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez

The red-headed Mexican sensation, seen by many as the successor to Oscar De La Hoya as boxing’s biggest draw, exploded with a vicious assault to bring proceedings to a close in Staples Center.

The 21-year-old improved his perfect pro record to 38-0 and dropped Gomez to 23-5-2.

‘Canelo’ announced his intentions right from the off, dropping Gomez late in the first with a left hook after a circumspect opening.

After that he seemed content to wait for further opportunities, allowing Gomez to take the initiative and fight his way into the bout.

Alfonso produced the greater workrate while Alvarez was content to pick his shots and bide his time.

It appeared that Alvarez, showing good power in both hands and great accuracy, could go up a gear at any time. He landed several powerful uppercuts that rocked Gomez. And when the end came in round six, it came quickly.

Late in the session Alvarez exploded off the ropes to land another vicious uppercut followed by a right hand to send Gomez reeling backwards across the ring.

Alvarez smelled blood and followed up with a sustained assault which left Gomez covering up and unable to reply. And Wayne Hedgpeth stepped in to call a halt allowing ‘Canelo’ to retain his world title, and his perfect professional record.

Tyson Fury Celebrates

The 6ft 9in traveller of Irish descent captured the public’s imagination with his televised win over Dereck Chisora to claim the domestic title in July and was keen to build on that momentum at the famous King’s Hall on Saturday night.

He started with intent, too, ramming the jab and right hand home and bloodying Firtha’s nose badly in the first.

Experienced Firtha turned the tables in the third round by exposing Fury’s vulnerable defence and hurting the Englishman, but the youngster rode it out and fired back.

The 23-year-old regained the upper hand, slamming home slow but heavy hands and forced his opponent to take a count in the fourth round.
Referee John Keane’s stoppage looked untimely in the following round, but Firtha did not seem too upset to be spared further punishment.
The win took Fury’s record to 16 wins, 11 by knockout.

He told Channel 5 afterwards the end had not been premature.
“He was seconds away from being blasted out of there,” said the Briton.
His promoter, Mick Hennessy, declared Fury to be the “most exciting fighter in world boxing” after his win and said his man would return to action on November 12.

Floyd Spanks Ortiz

Mayweather improved to 42-0 and claimed the WBC world welterweight title as he blasted Ortiz (29-3-2) to defeat amid sensational scenes.

The controversial finish came after Ortiz was deducted a point late in the round by referee Joe Cortez for an intentional headbutt. Then Ortiz, clearly full of regret, cuddled Floyd and apologised.

As the two fighters then broke, Mayweather unloaded with a left hook and a right that sent Ortiz crashing to the canvas. TV replays appeared to show that neither Ortiz or Cortez were looking at Floyd when he unloladed.

The controversial ending may well take some of the gloss off what had up to that point been a virtuoso performance from ‘Money’.

Despite a 16-month absence from the ring he was in the groove right from the opening bell, and could hardly miss with that trademark right-hand counter.

Ortiz tried to get inside and throw punches in bunches, but Floyd merely smiled through his gumshield time and again before countering and making good his escape.

By round four it was a boxing lesson from Mayweather Jr, with Ortiz quite simply outclassed. And it appeared that frustration got the better of Victor as he butted Mayweather with Floyd on the ropes.

Then, within seconds it was over, with the MGM Grand erupting into chaos as Mayweather delivered the knockout blow.

The post-fight interviews in the ring, televised by Primetime were almost as high-octane as the bout itself, as Mayweather and HBO analyst Larry Merchant became engulfed in an angry slanging match.

Mayweather said: “I got hit by a dirty shot. The rule is protect yourself at all time. We are not here to cry and complain about what he did or I did dirty.”

When Merchant pressed Floyd about how the fight had ended, the fighter erupted with “You never give me a fair shake. HBO need to fire you. You don’t know sh** about boxing. You ain’t sh**.”

The 80-year-old Merchant, clearly upset by those comments, responded tersely: “I wish I was 50 years younger – I’d kick your ass.”

The defeated Ortiz meanwhile said: “I was called to break by the referee. I obeyed, I looked at the ref and ‘boom’ – I was out.

“It looked like I butted him (Mayweather) intentionally. I apologised to him, I’m not a dirty fighter. He came forward really fast, I wasn’t expecting that, my head was in his face and I was like, oh, oops.

“You can look at it two ways. I came out here to show the fans a good time and as far as I’m concerned I think they did have a good time, apart from that little miscommunication by the ref. But hey it happens. I’m not perfect, no-one is and neither is the ref. I have no-one to blame for it – it’s a learning experience.”

Tyson God Squad Fury

One last dig, what’s with all the celebrating and saluting the crowd during the fight? Not cool mate. Despite it being extremely unprofessional, you look like a pratt and will come unstuck one day if you continue. Get the game face on, get in there to get out….Do the business then you can celebrate all you want. You are not endearing yourself to the fans with all the mid fight antics.

Fury was awarded a deserved unanimous verdict by margins of 118-111 and 117-112 (twice) on the judges’ scorecards.

Eyebrows were raised when Chisora tipped the scales at yesterday’s weigh in with a career-high reading of 18st 9lbs – almost half a stone heavier than Fury to whom he gave up eight inches in height.

And the extra poundage proved to be crucial as the champion appeared to run out of steam in the middle of the contest after shaking his opponent in the second, only to stage a thrilling but desperate rally in the championship rounds.

WBO, IBF and WBA champion Wladimir Klitschko openly discussed the prospect of facing the winner in the build up to the Wembley Arena showdown, and now Fury can dream of a date with destiny.

Chisora has had two proposed bouts with the Ukrainian cancelled within the past eight months, but he looked a long way short of a fighter ready to share such exulted company for long periods against the 23-year-old.

Fury edged round one by exhibiting sharper work and a grin broke out across the challenger’s face when he found the target with a telling right cross.

The Mancunian had less to be cheerful about in an explosive second as his low guard was exposed by a winging Chisora left hook followed by a thunderous overhand right that had him staggering around the ring before eventually grabbing hold.

Fury came back by ripping a couple of his own hooks to Chisora’s body before absorbing further concussive shots upstairs.

Chisora’s cute head movement appeared to desert him in the third round and Fury put his deceptive hand speed to work, but the Londoner was back in the ascendancy in four, landing the haymaker left hook with alarming frequency.

The topsy-turvy nature of the bout continued in five as Fury’s combinations came together beautifully and he landed at will to head and body. Wildly off-target overhand rights were Chisora’s only riposte.

The champion, now bleeding from the mouth, trudged disconsolately back to his corner and he returned there in round six as Fury toyed with him on the ropes.

The snap from Chisora’s increasingly sporadic attacks had all but disappeared in round seven and his main contribution to the eighth was to egg Fury towards him with some bizarre horseplay in the corner.

By 10 the champion appeared out on his feet as Fury landed successive combinations to the head and body at close quarters, only for a ferocious return of fire to appear from nowhere.

Chisora loaded up on successive hooks to have his man clinging on and almost tumbling the pair over the ropes.

He tried to continue the assault in round 11 but Fury resumed total control by the final session to close out victory.

Wladimir Klitschko Celebrates

Haye plans to retire in October when he turns 31 and knew this was his chance to not only prove himself as a heavyweight but also establish a real legacy in the division as the man to end Klitschko’s dominance.

But after talking the talk he failed to walk the walk at the soaking wet Imtech Arena football stadium, unable to back up his distasteful and aggressive bravado by instead fighting defensively and losing with scores of 117-109, 118-108 and 116-110.

Afterwards he was left to bemoan a broken toe that he said he sustained three weeks ago, claiming it afected his gameplan severely and stopped him pushing off.

The event had threatened to be a damp squib with constant rainfall leaving most of ringside soaking wet, although the downpour eased by the first bell and a canopy over the ring itself seemed to be keeping the canvas dry.

Haye, who headed into the bout with a record of 25-1 with 23 knockouts, ended over two years of waiting when he finally came face to face with Klitschko (55-3, 49KOs). After so much trash-talking and on-off negotiating, the two men were squaring off in what Haye labelled “the biggest fight in boxing” and the most high-profile heavyweight clash since Lennox Lewis beat Mike Tyson in 2002.

The unification super-fight saw 30-year-old Haye putting his WBA heavyweight title on the line in a bid to snatch his Germany-based Ukrainian opponent’s IBF, WBO and Ring magazine belts.

He did so as the clear betting underdog, conceding three inches in height, two stone in weight, years in experience and home advantage against a 35-year-old who had reigned since his last knockout defeat seven years ago.

Roared on by around 10,000 British fans among the approximately 40,000-strong crowd – who let themselves down by booing and jeering the Ukrainian national anthem.

A cagey opening saw Haye down from a slip as Klitschko jabbed from distance. Haye did well with a two-shot combination, though, landing a winging right on his opponent’s chin and following it with a left hook.

With the rain pouring once more, Haye was not bothering to jab, instead staying on the back foot and making brief but aggressive forays. Klitschko was edging it though and a right got through late in the second.

Haye remained open to the jab but had his own success with a right over the top early in the third and the same shot, doubled up, before the session ended. Klitschko fired back with Haye against the ropes.

It remained conservative fare for the most part.

The fifth was particularly laborious until a Klitschko straight right landed cleanly on Haye’s chin and the Londoner did well to swallow it and carry on, recovering admirably and landing a right of his own soon after.

Haye had boasted he could change tactics on the spur of the moment and he looked like he needed to here as a dull sixth was punctuated only by him slipping on the canvas for the fourth time in the bout.

Referee Genaro Rodriguez docked Klitschko a point for pushing Haye down in the seventh. Klitschko continued to show more attacking intent over the course of the rounds, edging the ninth as Haye relied on reflexes and right hands alone. A right from Klitschko at the end of that round seemed to hurt Haye slightly.

Haye landed a right hand in close then fell yet again in the 10th as the pair traded short rights at the bell.

When he went down again easily in the 11th, referee Rodriguez gave him a count and therefore effectively docked him a point.

Haye edged the final round as both opened up more in the final three minutes and when it went to the scorecards it was rightly Klitschko who took the win.

DAVID HAYE FACTFILE

1980: Born October 13, in Bermondsey.

2001: Reaches final of the World Amateur Championships in Belfast, losing to Cuban Odlanier Solis in the third round.

2002: Turns professional and wins first professional fight in December, beating fellow English fighter Tony Booth.

2004: September – Loses for the first time, beaten by former WBO champion Carl Thompson at Wembley Arena in an IBO cruiserweight title fight.

2005: December – Wins EBU European cruiserweight belt, beating Alexander Gurov in Bracknell.

2006: Retains European title with wins over Lasse Johansen, Ismail Abdoul and Giacobbe Fragomeni.

2007: Begins his year with a heavyweight fight at Wembley Arena, and a first-round knock-out of Poland’s Tomasz Bonin.

November – Wins WBC and WBC cruiserweight titles with victory over Jean-Marc Mormeck in France, winning by technical knock-out in the seventh round.

2008: March – Beats Welshman Enzo Maccarinelli in the second round at the O2 Arena and adds WBO title to his collection. Reveals he is to move up to heavyweight division on a permanent basis, and later gives up his cruiserweight titles.

November – Wins first fight as a full-time heavyweight, with a fifth-round TKO victory over Monte Barrett in London.

2009: June – Pulls out of planned fight with WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko due to injury.

November 7 – Takes on WBA champion Nikolai Valuev in Nuremberg and wins on points after an attritional contest, with two judges favouring Haye and another scoring the fight as a draw. Lands first world title as a heavyweight and vows to “party all night long”.

2010: April 3 -Retains WBA world heavyweight title after John Ruiz’s corner throws in the towel in the ninth round of their fight in Manchester.

November 13 – Beats Audley Harrison by third-round stoppage to retain WBA title for a second time in Manchester.

2011: July 2 – Beaten by Wladimir Klitschko on points in world heavyweight unification bout in Hamburg.