BROOK-RABCHENKO
David Charlesworth sees Brook breathe fresh life into his career by knocking out Rabchenko
‘The Special One’ dazzles in his hometown of Sheffield at 154lbs
‘I FELT STRONG AND A LOT HEALTHIER AT THE HEAVIER WEIGHT’
THE serious injuries inflicted first by Gennady Golovkin and then Errol Spence Jnr, not to mention the psychological toll they took, left many wondering what
Kell Brook had left. There is no shame in falling short against such elite company, but Brook’s futile world middleweight title challenge against Golovkin in September 2016 left him with a broken right eye socket, while he suffered an identical injury to the other side of his face as he surrendered his IBF welterweight crown to Spence in May.
Both of Brook’s orbital bones have been reinforced with titanium plates, leading the 31-year-old to dub himself the “Terminator” before he got himself back into the win column with a spectacular second-round knockout of Sergey Rabchenko.
Make no mistake, Brook was at a crossroads. Had he suffered a third successive defeat after moving permanently into the super-welterweight division then his boxing career would, in all likelihood, have been over.
But the stunning nature of this display, in which Rabchenko’s evening was ended in under five minutes, has galvanised Brook, who can now justifiably seek another world title tilt or a grudge bout against long-term rival Amir Khan.
“I’m putting the champions on notice,” Brook said afterwards. “I’m aiming for the stars. I’m going to go out and win another world title, you’re going to see me perform like this everytime.”
Brook was fighting at the 154lb limit, having decided, probably not before time, that cutting down to welterweight was an unnecessary hindrance. On this evidence, it appears a shrewd move.
Backed by a boisterous home support at the Sheffield Arena, which came alive for the main event after a fairly subdued evening, Brook immediately settled behind a confident jab, while his superior footwork left his foe from the Belarusian capital of Minsk chasing shadows in the first round. Rabchenko – who had won all seven of his previous bouts on British shores, including a stoppage victory over Brook’s former Ingle gym-mate Ryan Rhodes – could be regarded as something of a gatekeeper in the division. He has never challenged for full world honours, though,
and Brook proved he is a level above with a dominant finish.
A jolting right uppercut rocked Rabchenko’s head back and sent him tottering backwards before a straight right to the temple put the 32-year-old on the mat. Rabchenko rose on wobbly legs but was counted out by referee Steve Gray 1-27 into the second round (set for 12).
Brook said: “I felt good once I got settled, the timing came and the uppercut set everything up. It’s good to get the first tick back and just get settled. I felt strong at the heavier weight. The weight’s a big thing, imagine taking another seven pounds off me! I just felt a lot healthier.” Gavin Mcdonnell pulled off a mini-upset and perhaps put himself back into world title contention with a convincing unanimous decision win over unbeaten Gamal Yafai in their superbantamweight contest.
There was not much to split the pair after the opening half, with Mcdonnell’s relentless jab, accuracy and work rate arguably shading his Birmingham opponent’s decent flurries and trademark body blows. But Mcdonnell pulled away down the stretch as the highly regarded Yafai, who went the full 12 rounds for only the second time in his career, seemed to fatigue. Judges Robin Dolpierre and Esa Lehtosaari gave Mcdonnell the nod by scores of 116-112, while Michael Alexander had it 117-113 for the Doncaster fighter, who had his hand raised by referee Ian John-lewis for his third consecutive victory since last year’s loss to Rey Vargas in a WBC title tilt. Dave Allen was cruelly denied the chance to avenge his defeat to Lenroy Thomas as a clash of heads after 2-18 in the opening round meant their rematch for the Commonwealth heavyweight title was ruled a technical draw. The affable and popular Conisbrough man was understandably disconsolate after an accidental headbutt opened a deep gash over his right eye, with referee Alexander halting proceedings after consulting the ringside physician. Jamaica’s Thomas therefore retained the title he clinched against Allen on a split decision on the Brook-spence undercard last year. Kid Galahad sent a warning to his featherweight rivals with a chilling knockout of former world title challenger Irving Berry. Two punishing southpaw left hands from Sheffield’s Galahad sent Berry crashing to the canvas, with third man Mr Gray immediately waving off the fight 2-27 into the third round (set for 10).
The Panamanian required oxygen afterwards but was thankfully able to walk out of the ring to cheers from the crowd.
Atif Shafiq knocked down Lee Appleyard three times en route to a stoppage win in the battle of Rotherham lightweights. Vicious left hooks to the body accounted for Appleyard’s first and final visits to the canvas, with his corner throwing in the towel to signal referee Alexander to end the contest 33 seconds into the fifth round of a slated 10.
Liverpool super-middleweight Rocky Fielding flattered to deceive but was awarded a 79-74 points victory – largely earned with his jab – over Czech Karel Horejsek by referee Mr Gray, while Nottingham featherweight Leigh Wood proved too strong for Barcelona-based Nicaraguan Rafael Castillo, stopping him 1-31 into the third of a six-rounder. Mr Alexander refereed.
THE VERDICT The ‘Beast from the East’ has nothing on Brook, who warms up a snowy Sheffield to prove he remains at the top level.