KELL BROOK is now the mandatory for the WBA super-welterweight title but he failed to impress in a poor display against Michael Zerafa in front of his hometown in Sheffield. Brook was a wide points winner, 118-110, 119-109 and 117-111 on the scorecards. But the win will not have put any fear into his future opponents.
Brook looked flat and took far too many unnecessary shots from Zerafa, who wasn’t given a hope by the majority. Brook is desperate for the fight with Amir Khan, although his bitter domestic rival could well be next for the WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford in March next year.
The 32-year-old former IBF welterweight king once again called for the fight with Khan afterwards, claiming it is “now or never” for the long awaited clash to happen. He will need to be much better next time out if he hopes to get the better of Khan.
The winner of Jono Carroll and Guillaume Frenois will face Tevin Farmer for the IBF super-featherweight title next. However, we’re still waiting for the winner of Carroll and Frenois as the two collided for a split decision draw. The scorecards read one score each of 115-113 in both men’s favour and a 114-114.
Carroll was relentless early on, however the longer the fight went on he became more ragged and more open for Frenois to exploit. The Frenchman appeared to have nicked a close one, however it looks as if a rematch could be on the cards after an enjoyable encounter in Sheffield.
Anthony Fowler was frustrated before this card as a title fight failed to come to fruition. He needed 93 seconds to release that anger on late notice opponent Jose Carlos Paz, who couldn’t rise from a sickening left hand to the body. Fowler will face Scott Fitzgerald, his fellow Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medalist in March.
Kid Galahad remained active, as he prepares for an IBF featherweight title fight in the New Year with the winner of Josh Warrington and Carl Frampton, with a routine 80-72 points victory over Brayan Mairena. Galahad shipped a few from Mairena, who wasn’t intent on rolling over for the Sheffield man, but he was never truly troubled by the Nicaraguan.
Qais Ashfaq moved to 4-0 with an excellent stoppage win over the outgunned Jay Carney, whose corner saved him in the fifth, throwing in the towel after 41 seconds. Ashfaq, a former Rio Olympian, went through the gears and put together a sharp performance, as he sets his sights on titles in 2019.
Terri Harper blitzed past Feriche Mashauri, putting together an impressive performance to end matters in the second round. Harper couldn’t miss the right hand and never let Mashauri off the hook after she hurt her with John Latham stepping to save the Tanzanian from more punishment.
Earlier on in the night, local prospects Anthony Tomlinson and Shakiel Thompson dispatched of Innocent Anyanwu and Konstantin Alexandrov respectively, whilst Callum Hancock was a points victor over Ivan Nikolov, 40-36.