In Sheffield, England, Errol Spence Jr conquered Kell Brook in an electric Welterweight affair, with the reigning IBF champion being rescued by the referee following a severe eye injury in the 11th. Going into the final stanza, BB had Spence ahead by the narrowest of margins at 95-94.
Sheffield’s visitor now returns home with an unspoiled record, rising to 22 wins, 19 knockouts, while Brook reduces to 36 wins, 2 defeats, 25 knockouts. With Spence proving his mettle against a division elite, the Texan now takes his place alongside a stellar crop of 147-pounders, including the likes of unbeaten WBA, WBC titlist Keith Thurman.
Tonight’s action was highly competitive through the first seven sessions, with both fighters showcasing careful method and refined ability. Wits and chins were tested along the way, and the ending was anything but clear until Brook began displaying signs of distress in the 8th. With Brook’s left eye swelling rapidly, and his vision failing, Spence piled on the pressure and found the target with increasing accuracy.
Brook fought on valiantly, surviving the onslaught as best he could until being blasted to the canvas in the 10th. Fighting a severe eye injury and one of the Welterweight scene’s best finishers, Brook was in the worst of places. Shortly after, Brook made the decision to take a knee, prompting the referee to finally wave off the action.
Brook vs Spence Jr: Undercard
- George Groves (26-3, 19 KO) came out on top in world title challenge number four, emphatically stopping Fedor Chudinov (14-2, 10 KO) inside six explosive rounds. With the victory, Groves captures the vacant WBA (Super) Super Middleweight title. The fight was fought at a furious pace, with Chudinov stalking his man from the opening bell, forcing Groves to dig deep and answer every punch. With pick ’em rounds a constant, there was only ever going to be one way to conclusively settle this high-octane affair. Groves found a way in the 6th, wobbling Chudinov with a thunderous right, and followed it up with a barrage of clean blows until the referee stepped in.
- Lenroy Thomas (21-4, 10 KO) upset David Allen (11-3-1, 8 KO) in their Heavyweight 12-rounder, with the visitor’s sharper work catching the eye of the judges. Scorecards came in at 115-114, 115-114 (Thomas) and 115-113 (Allen). Allen, who marched forward and delivered the higher volume over the course of the fight, scoring a flash knockdown along the way, fought in the more positive manner, but was guilty of smothering his work in places. The outcome was controversial, but, like the old adage, it’s all about what you like more: pressure or clean work.
- Cruiserweight prospect Lawrence Okolie (3-0, 3 KO) rolled through a game Rudolf Helesic (2-1, 2 KO), dropping his man twice en route to a 1st round stoppage.
- Anthony Fowler (1-0, 1 KO) smashed his way into the pro circuit with a 1st round knockout of Middleweight foe Arturs Geikis (3-8-1, 2 KO).
- Joe Cordina (3-0, 3 KO) made quick work of Josh Thorne (1-10-2, 0 KO) to add another notch to his building Junior Welterweight campaign, with Thorne being pulled out in the opener due to a possible ear injury.
Give us your take on Brook vs Spence Jr below, George Groves’ sensational knockout of Fedor Chudinov, plus the rest of Saturday’s busy boxing schedule.
