Kell Brook challenges for WBO title at Echo Arena -- Liverpool Echo

By Nick Peet, Liverpool Echo

BRITAIN’S 2009 Young Boxer of the Year Kell Brook has been added to the March 12 ECHO Arena bill, headlined by the British super- middleweight derby day title fight between Paul Smith and Tony Dodson.

Outstanding Sheffield stylist Brook will challenge for the interim WBO welterweight title currently held by Poland’s Krzysztof Bienias.

The fight will leave the winner within touching distance of WBO world champion Manny Pacquiao.

Brook, unbeaten in 20 starts with 13 KOs, was due to box on the last King’s Dock arena card in October, defending his British title against former champion Michael Jennings.

But Brook was forced out through illness and while his Manchester rival did feature, he damaged his hand in a routine contest which rules him out this time.

So Brook, 23, who still carries the Lonsdale Belt, moves onto international level for the first time.

The fight was originally due to take place at Wembley Arena next month.

But light-heavyweight Nathan Cleverly’s European title fight has switched with this, undoubtedly in an effort to keep the Welsh champion away from Liverpool’s own light-heavy hope Tony Bellew.

But Brook’s appearance is a massive boost to the Liverpool card, as he is widely acknowledged as one of the finest prospects in the country.

Birmingham light-middle Thomas Costello has also been added to the nine-fight ECHO Arena show which, along with Smith, Dodson and Bellew, also features younger Smith’s Stephen and Liam and classy welterweight Joey Selkirk.

Tickets are on sale now from the arena box office.

Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk

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Brook gutted at KO’d defence against Jennings

October 27, 2009, STV.tv

British welterweight champion Kell Brook has vented his frustration after being forced to pull out of his title defence against Michael Jennings with a virus.

The Sheffield youngster had been scheduled to defend his belt at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Friday against former WBO title challenger Jennings, and is hoping the bout will be rescheduled “very quickly”.

Jennings, who challenged Manny Pacquiao’s opponent Miguel Cotto for the WBO title, will still fight on the night in an eight round bout against an opponent yet to be named. Top of the bill is the British super middleweight title fight between Liverpool rivals Tony Quigley and Paul Smith.

Undefeated 23-year-old Brook, the 2009 boxing writers’ young boxer of the year, said: “I’m gutted that I won’t be part of what will be a very big fight night in Liverpool.

“I came down with the virus after collecting my boxing writers’ award in London last week. Since then I haven't been able to move let alone train and there's no way I was going to fight a top fighter like Jennings in this state.

"I was really looking forward to defending my British title but I hope that the fight with Jennings will be back on very quickly.

"I'll be glued to my television on Friday night because it's going to be a great fight between Smith and Quigley."

Olympic middleweight champion James DeGale and 2007 world amateur champion Frankie Gavin will have their fourth professional contests on the bill against Ally Morrison and Steve Saville respectively.

(This article is originally posted at sports.stv.tv)

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