Kell Brook’s world middleweight title dream ended in a devastating fifth-round stoppage defeat by the fearsome Gennady Golovkin at London’s O2 Arena.
Stepping up from welterweight to challenge one of the greatest middleweights in history, Kell did his reputation little harm but, as expected, was gradually out-boxed and over-powered by the defending champion.
The opening 90 seconds of the fight demonstrated the size of the task he was facing. Powerful hooks to both head and body clearly hurt Brook, threatening an early finish and forcing him to cling on.
Brook’s right eye swelled and the fighter walked away from the ring with a broken eye socket.
Thanks for the tweets I'm out of hospital need op next week but will be fine and I'll be back. Sorry I couldn't bring it home tonight
— Kell Brook (@SpecialKBrook) September 11, 2016
Thanks for the messages re @SpecialKBrook now left hospital - confirmed broken eye socket op on Monday in Sheffield pic.twitter.com/8sFu4bfN9i
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) September 11, 2016
Absolute warrior @SpecialKBrook couldn't be more proud 👊🏼🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/rlxldeUpAy
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) September 10, 2016
Twitter couldn’t believe Brook’s courage last night.
What a pair of balls @SpecialKBrook has. Game as. Well done 👏🏼
— Paul Smith Jnr (@PaulSmithJnr) September 10, 2016
Big respect to @SpecialKBrook stepping up 2 weights to fight GGG. Done himself proud!
— Joe Calzaghe (@RealJoeCalzaghe) September 10, 2016
Congrats to @SpecialKBrook for a great fight! #GGGBrook
— Sugar Ray Leonard (@SugarRayLeonard) September 10, 2016
I lost 10k on @SpecialKBrook but good fight bro your a tough DUDE
— Adrien Broner (@AdrienBroner) September 10, 2016
Wasn't @SpecialKBrook biggest fan but after last night what a fighter and what a bloke! #neverjudgeabook
— Scott Wallis (@IScottyW) September 11, 2016
