Kell Brook underlined his potential for the top by blasting out
Argentina's Hector Saldivia in three rounds at the Motorpoint Arena
in his home city of Sheffield tonight.
The unbeaten British welterweight was stung by criticism after
struggling down the stretch in his July points win over America's
Carson Jones.
But after changing his preparations and enlisting the services
of a new nutritionist, Brook was back to his best.
It was clear that the fight wouldn't last long in the opening
round. A fast one two brought about applause in the opening 30
seconds and before the round was over Brook sent the visitor to the
canvas with an uppercut.
The clean punches continued to be fired home in the second,
leaving Saldivia severely marked up around his right eye.
And a straight left finished things 28 seconds into the
third.
It was one of those rare moments where a single jab proved to be
the telling blow. Saldivia, who had been stopped twice previously,
moved in and Brook punished him for it with a shot that many people
wouldn't have seen.
The Argentine did attempt to get back to his feet but was
wobbling and nearly feel back down before referee Howard Foster
waved it off.
The victory means that Brook is now the mandatory challenger for
the winner of this evening's IBF title clash between Randall Bailey
and Devon Alexander.
20/10/2012 23:17:07