YORKSHIRE, United Kingdom — Kell Brook did a lot to answer the stamina questions from many critics by delivering an efficient performance in scoring an eighth round technical knockout over Carson Jones at the Craven Park Stadium. Outside of small criticisms, Brook handled business in impressive fashion from my vantage point. Onto the highlights.
EDUCATED JAB, “MORE EDUCATED” RIGHT HAND: Brook’s jab was great in splitting Jones’ guard in the first three rounds. It allowed him to fight at a more measured pace and keep Jones in range for his right hand.
A boy what a right hand it was.
Brook utilized straight rights and hooks around the guard that had Jones hurt bad at the end of round one and repeatedly throughout the first three stanzas. You could make an argument that if Brook had landed a few more clean shots, Jones would have been out of there as early as round two when he took a knee.
JONES STEPS IT UP, BROOK REMAINS CALM: Starting in round four, Jones started to get inside and land with short hooks. The damage brought blood from Brook’s nose, but nowhere near the geyser we saw in the first fight.
This is where Brook was most impressive for me — he didn’t panic and brawl, but rolled with the shots as best he could and came back with hard left uppercuts whenever an opening presented itself. That counter shot was key in preventing Jones from getting too much confidence, and by the end of the sixth Brook was slowly starting to regain control of the exchanges.
EARLY STOPPAGE?: Considering Jones’ toughness, I could definitely see the argument that he “deserved” at least another 5-10 seconds to get himself out of trouble. On the other hand, the visual of getting your head snapped back at various angles, while the rest of your body remains stationary on the ropes, will always make a referee err on the side of caution. The second knockdown earlier in the round did Jones no favors as well.
IS BROOK READY FOR A TITLE SHOT?: Considering RING Magazine has him ranked #3 in the welterweight division (way too high, but I digress), its high time he gets in there with an elite fighter. Unfortunately for him, the entire top half of the division is pretty much locked up. Mayweather, Bradley, Marquez, and Pacquiao have fights, and it’s not like they’d be looking in Brook’s direction anyway.
Andre Berto faces Jesus Soto Karass later this month, Paulie Malignaggi might be retired now, and Broner-Maidana is currently being discussed. And I can’t see Brook being able to get a Robert Guerrero in the ring or a Keith Thurman. His best bet might just be awaiting the outcome of the proposed December fight between Amir Khan and Devon Alexander, while praying to the boxing gods that Khan pulls it off. Even with the way Khan has looked recently, Khan-Brook is a big fight in the UK.
In the meantime, I figured Brook might have to look at guys like Kendall Holt, Selchuk Aydin, Luis Carlos Abregu, or even Yyacheslav Senchenko if he wants another fight for September as planned. But according to Eddie Hearn, we can expect a big fight announcement this coming week.
Source: Sweetboxing
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 