Brook returns to the ring with emphatic demolition of Deluca

Kell Brook made an explosive return to boxing as he knocked out American Mark DeLuca in the seventh round of their super welterweight bout in Sheffield.

In his first fight since defeating Michael Zefara by unanimous decision in an uninspiring performance in December 2018, Brook insisted only a "spectacular" victory would do on his return and he more than proved that he remains in world title contention. DeLuca was a heavy underdogcomingintothecontest at Sheffield Arena but had suffered just one defeat in his 25 fights, which came via split decisionagainstWalterWrightin June 2018.

However, the former IBF welterweightworldchampion showed no signs of ring rust in his first fight in 14 months as he took control of the contest.

"I don't want to go on holiday with the family, I want to get straight back in the gym on Monday," Brook said. "I want to be fighting in 10-12 weeks, I'm ready to go. This is the last chapter in my career, Eddie Hearn is going line up them big fights up for me, world titles,2020isgoingtobetheyear I become a champion again."

Brook showed his interest in a huge domestic fight with former WBO light middleweight champion Liam

Smith, who was ringside. "I don'tshyawayfromanyfighter. I have a lot of respect for Liam, I sparred with him and we had very good spars," he added.

"If anything is to go on with the spars then the fight will be amazing. I love the Smith family but when we go in there, it's business."

Brook worked his way into the fight with a counter punch in each of the opening two rounds to gain the early advantage before the hometown favourite burst into life in the third. A huge left uppercut caught the American off guard before another left hand saw DeLucadrophisrightkneeand force a count by the referee.

DeLuca ended the round chasing Brook around the ring as the Briton kept his composure, with the pair exchanging words after the bell went for the third round.

The fourth started slowly but Brook's left hand caused more problems for his opponent before the bell saved DeLuca from further punishment. Brook fired another combination on the American in the sixth as the one-way trafficcontinued,withDeLuca battling valiantly to remain in the contest. Brook's quality finally shone through in the seventh when he landed a heavy straight left to send his opponent crashing to the ground.