Kell Brook vs. Michael Jennings

Following Brook's third British title defence, winning the Lonsdale Belt outright against Michael Lomax, he challenged Jennings, stating "I believe I am the best in the country, but I can't say that for sure until I've beaten Jennings".^[1] Jennings, who had challenged Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title earlier in the year, had previously expressed interest in a fight with Brook.^[2]

Brook and Jennings were due to meet on 30 October 2009, at the Echo Arena. On 26 October, Brook was forced to pull out due to illness.^[3] Laszlo Komjathi was lined up as Brook's replacement. Jennings defeated Komjathi, winning by points decision. Jennings was forced to postpone the match with Brook after sustaining a hand injury in the fight.^[4] Brook and Jennings rescheduled the match for 3 July 2010 at Preston Guild Hall.^[5] On 26 May, Brook was forced to pull out a second time after sustaining a rib injury in training. John O'Donnell was lined up as Brook's replacement, with the vacant British title on the line.^[6] On 15 June, O'Donnell was forced to pull out after sustaining a rib injury in training.^[7] Brook and Jennings once again rescheduled the match for 18 September 2010 at the LG Arena on Sky Sports Box Office.^[8][9][10]

The first of the televised bouts saw unbeaten 2008 Olympic Gold medalist James DeGale stop Carl Dilks late in the first round, followed by Lukas Konecny winning the vacant European light-middleweight title against Matthew Hall (a late replacement for champion Ryan Rhodes).^[11]

European light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly faced unbeaten former European super-middleweight champion Karo Murat in a WBO light heavyweight title eliminator.

In a brutal fight Cleverly landed a number of heavy left hooks with Murat throwing back in turn. For much of but Cleverly was able to use his reach advantage to box at distance. As the 10th round was about to start, the referee ended the contest on the advice of the doctor.^[12][13]

Both boxers started fast, exchanging punches early, with Chisora landing a series of body shots inside, and Sexton working behind the jab. In the second, Chisora began setting the pace, leading with the jab, Sexton responded, sending Chisora back against the ropes with a flurry of punches. With Chisora landing combinations to the body as the round progressed. In the third, Chisora and Sexton continued trading punches, Chisora fighting aggressively, and Sexton countering on the back foot. In the fourth, Sexton went on the offensive, and was able to land a left hook, which momentarily slowed Chisora's output. With Chisora landing punches on the front foot, taking control for the remainder of the round. In the fifth round, Chisora and Sexton began to tire, as both men kept applying pressure up close. In the sixth, Chisora landed a number of clean punches on Sexton as his work rate decreased. In the seventh, Sexton began working behind the jab once again, boxing at range. In the eighth, Chisora began trying to close the distance, with Sexton on the defensive. The bell sounding to start the ninth marked the first time Chisora and Sexton had been past eight rounds. Chisora threw a barrage of unanswered left and right hands flush on the chin, backing Sexton against the ropes, prompting referee John Keane to stop the fight.^[14]

The penultimate bout saw former world champion Enzo Maccarinelli defend his European cruiserweight title against undefeated Ukrainian prospect Alexander Frenkel.

Despite a tentative opening round Maccarinelli improved and managed to rock his opponent in the fourth round with a right hand. A clash of heads in the sixth led to a cut developing over his right eye, however the fight still appeared to be going Maccarinelli's way until he was knocked down heavily towards the end of round seven by a left hook from Frenkel. Despite managing to rise by the count of nine he was extremely unsteady and appeared to be in no position to defend himself. However the referee allowed the bout to continue, only for it to be stopped a few seconds later when a three punch combination from Frenkel led to a second knockdown. The final blows were struck with such ferocity that Maccarinelli was knocked unconscious and required oxygen and medical attention before being able to leave the ring.

At the time of the fight there was heavy criticism from both journalists and fellow boxers at the decision by the referee to allow the fight to continue after the first knockdown, when it was clear that Maccarinelli was in no position to defend himself.^[15][16][17]

In the final bout, Matthew Macklin faced late substitute Shalva Jombardashvili for the European middleweight title after champion Darren Barker was forced to pull out 17 days before with a hip injury. Macklin picked apart his opponent before hurting Jomardashvili with a barrage of body shots just before the bell to end the fifth, which prompted his corner to pull him out of the bout.^[18]

In the opening two rounds, Brook led with straight jabs and landed with scoring shots on the front foot, with Jennings on the back foot, boxing at range. In the third, both Brook and Jennings applied pressure up close and wrestled in the clinches. In the fourth, Brook began working behind the jab once again, with Jennings feinting, looking to land punches as the round progressed. Early in the fifth, Brook went on the offensive, sending Jennings back against the neutral corner with a flurry of punches that opened a cut on the corner of his right eye. The referee, immediately called a timeout and took Jennings to his corner, where he determined that the damage to Jennings eye was too serious and stopped the fight, therefore giving Brook the win by TKO in the fifth round.^[19]

Despite Brook being unsatisfied with the win, and Jennings expressing interest in a rematch, a second bout would not materialise.^[20][21] Brook defeated Shawn Porter in 2014, by majority decision to capture the IBF title, and Jennings retired from the sport of boxing, due to recurring injuries.^[22][23]

Confirmed bouts:^[24][25]

^Note 1 For British and WBO Inter-Continental welterweight titles
^Note 2 Final eliminator for WBO light-heavyweight title
^Note 3 For European cruiserweight title
^Note 4 For British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles
^Note 5 For European light-middleweight title
^Note 6 For European middleweight title
^Note 7 For WBA International super-middleweight title
^Note 8 For Irish light-welterweight title
^Note 9 For International Masters bantamweight title