Brook Cruises to Decision Over Zerafa
In his first bout since March, in front of his hometown of Sheffield, England, Kell Brook made easy work of Michael Zerafa, getting a decision win and becoming the mandatory challenger for Jarrett Hurd and the WBA Super Welterweight Title.
While it wasn’t Brook’s best performance, promoter Eddie Hearn said it was his first fight under John Fewkes — after splitting with longtime trainer Dom Ingle. Ingle commented that he was happy with how Brook performed because he fought a full 12 rounds — something he hasn’t done in a while.
After a quick feeling out, Brook began to pick apart Zerafa at will, landing several straights to openings at the head and body. Zerafa already was forced onto his back foot and busted up before the end of the first. Zerafa attempted to work the jab and keep Brook at bay in the second and did manage to land in an occasional blow, but Brook was still in control.
Zerafa showed some signs of life in the fourth, but Brook continued to overwhelm Zerafa, looking to land a major right hand. While Zerafa attempted to catch Brook napping in the fifth, Brook continued to step forward and cut off the ring, limiting most of Zerafa’s attack unless he got out of being cornered.
Zerafa tried to pick things up in the eighth, throwing several combinations of his own. Brook continued to walk through the shots, though he seemed to take that round off. Suddenly in the ninth, another round which Brook had not much activity, Zerafa stunned Brook, giving him a flurry of punches against the ropes until Brook managed to get away.
Brook was the one who stunned Zerafa in the 10th, but he seemed to not have the edge to charge forth and put his Australian opponent away. Brook then cruised in the 11th round, but Zerafa fired away at “Special K” once more in the final round, briefly troubling Brook. But it wouldn’t be enough.
The judges scored the bout 118-110, 119-101, 117-111.
While Brook has earned a title shot against Hurd, many have been hoping for an eventual showdown with British rival Amir Khan. Brook, post-fight, put the blame of the fight’s delay on Khan
“I want the fight. I want to shut him up.” “Now or never. I’m ready…I’m hungry, I’m reborn, I’m ready to take the world over.”