Kell Brook is closing in on a World title shot after becoming the first man to stop tough Pole Rafal Jackiewicz in the sixth round of their World title eliminator clash on Saturday night at the Ponds Forge International Arena in Sheffield.
The unbeaten Welterweight star promised an X-Factor performance and delivered exactly that – a punch-perfect display that sent a message out that the 25 year-old is ready to announce himself on the big stage.
Brook seized the initiative from the opening bell and what followed was a display of the Sheffield star’s full repertoire, landing his jab at will from the off then targeting the Pole’s body as he looked to cover up against the speedy barrage.
The writing was on the wall in the fifth round as Brook stepped on the gas as Jackiewicz struggled with Brook’s pace, accuracy and consistency. The halfway point in the fight proved to be the end of the road for Jackiewicz in front of the sold-out Ponds Forge International Arena when referee Howard Foster called an end to the action after Brook rained down the punches on the 34 year-old with nothing coming back.
“I’m the first to stop him so it shows you what level I am at,” said Brook, who also defended his WBA Inter-Continental title for the first time on the night. “His face started to mark-up with the jab early and I was just enjoying myself out there really, soaking it all up.
“I need to keep taking steps forward one at a time. When I get in there I make good fighters look ordinary. Jackiewicz has beaten Jan Zaveck, he’s held the European title and mixed with big names and on Saturday he didn’t hit me, I didn’t move out of second gear and could’ve finish it whenever I wanted to.
“I’m in that elite league now – I’m headlining sold-out hometown shows and I’ve got the sponsorship deals rolling in, only good things can happen from now on.
“I want Amir Khan but he doesn’t want me, it’s just a matter of time though. I keep beating whoever Eddie Hearn puts in front of me and the public want it, they’ll demand it. When I get that World title belt it’ll be a massive fight.”
Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn said that the next move for Brook could be an outing on the undercard of stablemate Carl Froch’s Super-Middleweight unification fight and Super Six final against Andre Ward on December 17 in Atlantic City.
“The people that matter in America are very impressed with Kell,” said Hearn. “Kell is so special that whilst he doesn’t want to take his time, while you’ve got something this good you don’t mess it up. You make sure you do the right things, at the right time and you make the correct decision for Kell. After that performance on Saturday, I don’t think there are many Welterweights out there that Kell can’t live with right now.
“He was a little bit of a rabbit in the headlights in the sell-out hometown show against tough World class opponent Lovemore N’dou live on Sky, it was a big step for him but since then he’s grown into a superstar and he’s definitely come of age now.
“If we can get a fight in Atlantic City on December 17 it would just be a “welcome to America” fight for Kell, but for the next big step early in 2012, which I’d like to be in the Sheffield Arena, it needs to be a big fight, and by that I mean a World title fight or a Paul Malignaggi, a Mike Jones or a Devon Alexander.”
Chief support was provided by Alfreton’s Dale Miles who continues to grow his career, reaching 12 wins from 12 fights with his ninth stoppage win over stubborn Romanian Mihaita Mutu. Miles inflicted only the second loss inside the distance for Mutu, with his busy work in the opening rounds rewarded in the sixth, upping the tempo further after getting cut in the fifth round and a cracking left finished the job.
Kenny Anderson had Paul Morby on the canvas in the second round of their clash and the heavy-handed Scotsman sent out a statement of intent by stopping the Portsmouth man who has recently caused problems for Tony Jeffries and Rocky Fielding in the third.
Brook’s gym pals Kid Galahad and Adnan Amar both enjoyed victories over James Ancliff and Kevin McCauley, Tyrone Nurse claimed a fifth round stoppage over Istvan Kiss, while one of Matchroom Sport’s latest signings Tommy Ghent made it two wins in two as Nicky Coret failed to come out for the third round having been dropped by the Dudley prospect in the second round.
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