Brook Bounces Bizier in Sheffield

This Saturday, March 26th at the Sheffield Arena in the U.K., IBF World Welterweight champion Kell Brook took to the ring to face mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier. For Brook, this is the third defense of his belt and he entered the fight a prohibitive favorite.

Check out The Boxing Channel’s video that includes main event highlights from the Sheffield Arena.

Truth be told, Bizier was never in this fight. He looked drawn and beat up at the weigh-ins, and as the fight started his body language indicated he did not want to be there. Brook went through a feeling out process in the first round where he was clearly able to establish he was the faster, stronger athlete. In round two, Brook left no doubt, sending Bizier to the mat along the ropes. Bizier got up, but a second flurry by Brook floored him again. This time he fell backwards trying to get up and the referee waved the fight off.

The co-feature saw 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Luke Campbell take on Gary Sykes for the vacant Commonwealth title in the Lightweight division. Campbell came out slow in the first round, but it was not long before he found his comfort zone. By the second round he was letting go of his punches, and the referee stepped in to save Sykes with two seconds left in the round. It was the definitive win that Campbell was looking to bounce back from the first defeat of his career.

Also on the card, 16-1 Leigh Wood made short work of Lee Glover (9-3), stopping him in the second round of their scheduled 10 rounder. Wood goes home with the vacant BBBofC Midlands Area Featherweight title.

Andy Townend successfully defended his English Super Featherweight title against Craig Poxton. Townend, known as the “KO Kid” has shown heavy hands finishing six of his prior eight engagements via stoppage. Townend flashed his heavy hands sending Poxton to the canvas three times, with the ref stepping in and stopping it with less than five seconds to go in the round.

Heavyweight action at eight rounds saw 8-0-1 prospect David Allen face off against veteran Jason Gavern (27-20-4). At 24 years old, Allen, who is known as the “White Rhino,” was stepping up to his first eight round match and Gavern was a late replacement. The match turned into an ugly affair as Gavern was warned on several occasions for clinching. Near the end of the third round, Gavern scored a good takedown on Allen, pulling him down to the canvas and earning a point deduction from the referee. The referee stopped the fight before Gavern could come out for the fifth round.

The complete results for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promotion appear below.

March 26th, 2016 – Sheffield, Arena
Sheffield, United Kingdom

Welterweight 12 Rounds: Kell Brook over Kevin Bizier by TKO @2:15 of RD 2.
Lightweight 12 Rounds: Luke Campbell over Gary Sykes by TKO @2:58 of RD 2.
Heavyweight 8 Rounds: David Allen over Jason Gavern by Ref Stoppage @3:00 of RD 4.
Super Feather 10 Rounds: Andy Townend over Craig Poxton by TKO @2:57 in RD 1.
Featherweight 10 Rounds: Leigh Wood over Lee Glover by TKO in RD 2.
Middleweight 8 Rounds: Adam Etches over Zoltan Sera by TKO @1:57 in RD 4.
Super Feather 6 Rounds: Jordan Gill over Chris Adaway on PTS (58-55)
Super Feather 6 Rounds: Lee Appleyard over Josh Baillie by TKO @2:47 RD 3.
Welterweight 6 Rounds: Dean Byrne over Jamie Robinson on PTS (58-57)