Kell Brook retains vs. Frankie Gavin in one-sided bout

Kell Brook finally caught up with challenger Frankie Gavin to stop him in the sixth round, retaining his IBF welterweight title and setting up the prospect of a higher-profile fight next.

Nick Parkinson - espn.go.com

Kell Brook finally caught up with challenger Frankie Gavin to stop him in the sixth round and set up the prospect of a higher-profile fight for his next bout.

The IBF welterweight champion extended his unbeaten record to 35-0 after hurting fellow Englishman Gavin with a right hand and then clinically finishing him off at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday.

"It was about being patient for a few rounds," Brook said. "It was only a matter of time."

Brook, 29, dreams of being Floyd Mayweather's next opponent Sept. 12, but others, such as Brook's British rival Amir Khan, who unanimously outpointed American Chris Algieri on Friday night, seem to have a better chance of landing the fight against boxing's biggest star and highest earner. (Kell Brook, left, is looking for a big-name opponent after dispatching of Frankie Gavin on Saturday. Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

Mexican veteran Juan Manuel Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs), the 41-year-old who is a former world champion in four weight divisions, and American Brandon Rios (33-2, 24 KOs) are more realistic options for Brook's next fight.

Asked about fighting Mayweather, Brook said: "I'm ready to take on the world. I'm ready for the best out there now."

Gavin's form over the past 10 months had not suggested he would trouble Brook, but Gavin produced an improved performance even if he did not threaten the champion with his single, sharp shots.

Brook demolished Canadian Jo Jo Dan in four rounds just two months ago in his first defense after recovering from being stabbed in the leg during a holiday in Tenerife in August.

Gavin, 29, gave Brook a more difficult night than Dan by making himself a difficult target in the early rounds.

Brook was unable to get into his rhythm as Gavin held on to him as he stalked his challenger around the ring.

The clinches made it a messy fight at times, and the slippery Gavin skillfully slid off the ropes to avoid an attack from Brook in the third round.

In other world title fights at London's O2 Arena, Jorge Linares of Venezuela retained the WBC lightweight belt by stopping Kevin Mitchell in the 10th round, and Lee Selby of Britain took the IBF featherweight belt off Russia's Evgeny Gradovich after an eighth-round technical decision.

British boxer Anthony Joshua enhanced his burgeoning reputation in the heavyweight division with a second-round stoppage of experienced American Kevin Johnson.

Joshua, a gold medalist at the London Olympics in 2012, stopped Johnson 83 seconds into the second round for his 13th straight professional victory.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Source:  espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/12982570/kell-brook-retains-ibf-welterweight-belt-frankie-gavin-anthony-joshua-wins-again

Kell Brook outclasses Frankie Gavin, keeps IBF welterweight title

Elliot Worsell - ringtv.craveonline.com

In a fight for the connoisseurs rather than the casuals, Sheffield’s IBF world welterweight champion took his time and patiently dissected the challenge of fellow Briton Frankie Gavin this evening at London’s O2 Arena, before suddenly trading subtlety for savagery in round six and stopping the southpaw against the ropes. In doing so, he retained his belt, extended his unbeaten run to 35 fights and again found himself linked to a potential blockbuster with Amir Khan.

Photo courtesy of @SkySportsBoxing

That, unlike tonight’s affair with Gavin, is an all-British world title fight worthy of all the talk and hype. It’s a fight that would define both men. One that would settle a long-running feud. One that carries meaning.

Brook’s beating of Gavin, however, was to be expected. It seemed a lopsided contest on paper and, though Gavin’s technique and awkward southpaw style slowed the action and occasionally made Brook hesitant, he didn’t possess nearly enough firepower or gears to disrupt or change the momentum of the contest.

Instead, Brook, 35-0 (24 KOs), seemed totally in control at all times. His speed and explosiveness caused Gavin issues – problems he was unable to overcome – and his uncanny ability to jump in with shots took the challenger by surprise and counteracted his usually superb timing.

The finish, which arrived in the sixth round, was kickstarted by a beautifully-picked Brook right uppercut followed by a straight right hand. These two shots, combined, appeared to scramble Gavin’s senses and force him back to the ropes, from where Brook completed the job with a fusillade of stiff and hurtful-looking hooks and uppercuts. Gavin, the British and Commonwealth welterweight champion, simply had no escape. He was stuck. He’d run out of ideas. Outclassed. Stopped.

One hopes the disparity in size, not to mention class, will persuade Gavin, 22-2 (13 KOs), to shed seven pounds and campaign at light-welterweight from now on. He has the tools and the talent to be a success at that weight. He owes it to himself to at least try.

Twenty-nine-year-old Brook, meanwhile, continues to be inextricably linked to Khan, his key to a mainstream breakthrough in the UK, but will likely fight someone else later this year. Keith Thurman is perhaps a risk too great, but the likes of Brandon Rios and Juan Manuel Marquez may fit the bill. Whether Khan or someone else entirely, it needs to be big.

Source:  ringtv.craveonline.com/news/390619-kell-brook-outclasses-frankie-gavin-keeps-ibf-welterweight-title