Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the IBF welterweight title eliminator between Kell Brook and Carson Jones, taking place at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield.
'Special K' comes into the bout with an unblemished 27-fight record and the weight of expectation resting upon his shoulders. Ranked number five by the IBF, the 26-year-old is regarded by many as a potential star on the world stage.
Meanwhile, Jones has stopped his last eight opponents and represents Brook's toughest challenge to date. The American brings a 34-8-2 record to the contest and is ranked number three by the IBF.
A shot at the IBF title awaits the winner of tonight's fight. The 37-year-old Randall Bailey stopped Mike Jones in brutal fashion last month to be crowned champion and has since signed on to fight IBF and WBC light-welterweight champion Devon Alexander.
On a packed undercard, Derry Mathews puts his British lightweight title at stake in order to snatch the European strap away from Gavin Rees.
Kerry Hope and Grzegorz Proksa will go at it again for the European middleweight title and Lee Purdy defends his British welterweight title against Chris Johnson.
There are also fights for fledgling pros Scott Cardle and Prizefighter super-middleweight champion Rocky Fielding, as well as a debut for the highly fancied Khalid Yafai.
22.21Join us again next week for David Haye vs. Dereck Chisora and Amir Khan vs. Danny Garcia.
22.20Well, that brings to a close Sports Mole's live commentary. We hope that you enjoyed it.
22.18Brook was put through his paces by Jones and came out the other end.
22.16A deserved victory for Kell Brook and much respect from Carson Jones, who does not display any histrionics and congratulates his adversary.
Decision... from Sheffield, Kell Brook!
Decision116-113 and 115-113 to the winner...
DecisionThe judges score the bout... 114-114
End of Round 12Anyway, we go to the scorecards...
End of Round 12Jones put on a fine showing from Round six. But at this level, you cannot give your opponent a six-round head start.
End of Round 12Brook was hanging on for dear life there and has answered a few questions about his chin.
End of Round 12There goes the bell to end an absolutely storming contest!
Round 12The Sheffield man is hanging on with seconds ticking to the bell...
Round 12BROOK IN TROUBLE!
Round 12Last 30 seconds...
Round 12Brook looks like he's punching through treacle but Jones can't land anything of note.
Round 12Brook looks weary but he is standing up to Jones.
Round 12Brook has Jones in the corner, but the American soaks up the pressure and comes forward. Jones needs to go for it now...
Round 12Hwere we go...
End of Round 11One more round and surely Brook has done this. He just needs to stay on his feet, win or lose the last round.
Round 11Brook is trying to avoid direct confrontation. He is well in front and applying the right tactics.
Round 11It has been a thrilling contest so far. Like before, credit to both men. It has been toe-to-toe action.
End of Round 10Jones came back strongly towards the end of the round, but Brook did enough to edge ahead. However, Jones is still in this and one punch could end this...
Round 10The crowd were on their feet as Brook laucnhed his onslaught there.
Round 10There were some powerful shots in there as Brook looks to reply! Jones recovers well.
Round 10Brook comes forward and powers the punches and Jones has been moved backwards!
Round 10Brook's legs look a bit suspect here. Definitely not the spring with which he entered the ring. Understandable after nine rounds of graft.
End of Round 9The last three rounds have been all Jones. Brook's nose is bleeding heavily and he looks a bit gassed.
Round 9Jones is testing Brook's resolve. If he can land again the home crowd might just end up heartbroken.
Round 9Brook is starting to move again in this round. Jones may have just sucked him into playing by his game.
Round 9Jones's plan looks to be kicking into action now. A slow start has been followed by an explosive couple of rounds. Brook needs to find a reply here!
End of Round 8The bell saves Brook as Jones lands a couple of shots to wobble the Sheffield man! The fight is now finely balanced. Jones knows that he can hurt Brook!
Round 8BROOK IN TROUBLE!
Round 8Jones is getting on top here.
Round 8Nice shot from Jones. That has left Brook with a nosebleed. Jones is starting to exert more and more pressure and Brook is being forced to hang on a bit.
Round 8The fighters take a stand in the middle of the ring and Brook is the one dictating the pace again.
End of Round 7There is no doubt that this round goes to Jones. Brook must regain focus here.
Round 7Jones is putting a bit of pressure on Brook now.
Round 7Better head movement from Jones, and a couple of decent shots land. Brook is not having it all his own way for the first time in this contest.
Round 7Stiff jab from Brook as Jones comes in.
End of Round 6Better from Jones, but perhaps I am being a tad biased in giving it to Brook. But much, much better from Jones.
Round 6Jones is still walking forward. Showing some steel in the Steel City...
Round 6Brook goes forward again and Jones looks like he cannot cope with him. Excellent work from Brook.
Round 6Jones has not been able to get anything going here and Brook is going to town on him.
End of Round 5Five rounds for Brook.
Round 5A quick recovery from Jones as he comes forward. But Brook certainly had his opponent troubled there.
Round 5An even round so far, until an uppercut from Brook moves Jones. Another right hook also lands and Jones is in trouble!
End of Round 4Jones is putting Brook under constant pressure but Brook is still landing his shots. I'm scoring it as another round for Brook and Jones needs to step it up here.
Round 4A stiff right hand from Brook, but Jones seems unwavered. It may take a bit to put this guy down...
Round 4Brook is looking every inch a contender here. If he can press home his advantage it will send a message across the pond.
End of Round 3A right hook stuns Jones and Brook goes forward. However, Jones lands a warning shot that just stops Brook in his tracks. Another round to Brook, and Jones needs to stop the bleed (not literally) in the next round.
Round 3Brook looks very spritely on his feet. He is evading any attack that Jones manages to launch.
Round 3Jones throws the head in. That did not look good from Jones and Brook smiles, seemingly happy that the American is already resorting to the dirty tactics.
Round 3Jones has started to mark up below his left eye already.
End of Round 2Another round to Brook.
Round 2One thing we don't really know is how good Brook's chin is...
Round 2Brook is letting his fists go and Jones does not look comfortable.
Round 2Brook slips the jab and lands a right hand of his own. The Sheffield man's hand speed is lightning fast.
End of Round 1An easy round to score - Brook on top in the early exchanges.
Round 1A right uppercut penetrates Jones's defence.
Round 1Jones hiding behind his gloves as Brook does all the early running.
Round 1A couple of stiff jabs from Brook as he looks to settle into a rhythm early on.
Round 1Seconds out, round one...
21.24The referee gives his instructions and we're about to get underway. There's plenty of needle in this fight. you only have to look at the weigh in to see that.
21.23Brook's record is certainly impressive. 18 knockouts from 27 wins.
21.19Hollywood actor Sean Bean and Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker carry Brook's belts into the ring.
21.18Here comes the hometown man Brook. Special K has plenty of support. He might just need it...
21.17Jones enters the ring. His robe, rather comically, reads "Dear judges, please don't rob me"
21.15Jones has stopped his last eight opponents, but has been beaten six times in his career. Brook could perhaps be seen as the favourite, but those in America might know something that we don't know...
21.13Shall we turn our attention to tonight's main event? OK, well Jones represents arguably Brook's sternest test. His performance against Hatton was great, but many pundits believe that Brook should have finished Hatton off.
21.07Also Anthony Crolla, who Mathews defeated for the British title, will be hoping to re-establish himself. He has the talent, no doubt.
21.04The Burns/Mitchell fight is one that every boxing fan should be looking forward to. It promises to be a cracking encounter.
21.03Eddie Hearn seems confident that Rees can fight for world titles once again. But let's not forget, the very talented Ricky Burns and Kevin Mitchell are also in the same lightweight division.
21.02Well, a great start to the night. A good fight ends the way it was probably expected. Although Mathews had his moments and asked some difficult questions of Rees, especially in the early exchanges.
21.00Eddie Hearn: "It's time for Gavin Rees to fight for world titles. He's done his time and won his belts."
20.57I'd love to give you a few quotes from Rees but I cannot understand a word he is saying. The jist seems to be that he came on stronger as the fight went on and he seems happy about that.
End of fightThat punch just drained what little fight that Mathews had left in his legs. The referee made the right call in waving it off and Rees adds the British strap to his EBU crown.
Round 9Mathews did well to hang on for as long as he did but a straight right hand does the job for The Rock and Mathews was sent stumbling backwards.
Round 9IT'S OVER! THE REFEREE WAVES IT OFF!
Round 9MATHEWS DOWN!
Round 9Mathews is gaasping and Rees is going for the kill!
Round 9Rees is coming forward and the fight could be stopped at any minute!
End of Round 8Mathews was forced to hang on big time there after Rees landed a two-punch combo to wobble the British champion.
End of Round 8SAVED BY THE BELL! Rees had Mathews all at sea there!
Round 8Mathews in trouble!
Round 8Rees's shots seem to carry more sting, but Mathews has landed more this round. There seems to be more life in his legs as well.
Round 8Credit has to go to both fighters here. Mathews has connected with a few decent shots in this round, but Rees is also looking good.
End of Round 7Rees has taken the lead on my very unofficial scorecard at the climax of that round.
Round 7Mathews offers somewhat of a reply with a couple of body shots of his own. Both men are trading but it is Mathews who is back-peddling.
Round 7Rees rains in the body shots with Mathews pinned against the ropes.
Round 7Rees is definitely on top now. A couple of heavy shots slows Mathews. Blood is flowing from Mathews's eye now.
End of Round 6So we're halfway through the contest and I have it scored even at three rounds each. Spencer Oliver has Mathews up 4-2... but what does he know?! ... cough...
Round 6Another right hand troubles Mathews, who replies with a couple of jabs. Rees is starting to get on top though...
Round 6Mathews is there now when Rees launches his attacks. The Rock might have just worn down his opponent here.
Round 6Rees has started strongly in this round.
End of Round 5Another right from Mathews, but it is Rees who lands the better blow and the Scouser is forced to hang on for the bell.
Round 5Lovely right hand from Mathews. Rees's footwork was non existent.
Round 5Methews is trying to tempt Rees inside. The Welshman's accuracy has been pretty poor so far. Could be down to Mathews's movement.
End of Round 4Rees launches a left hand that catches Mathews just as the bell sounds. Difficult one to score. You get these types of rounds in every fight.
Round 4Rees's under-short protection has come lose. A briefs stoppage, one might say. Not me, though...
Round 4Mathews throws a couple of jabs. Rees is not getting on the inside this round. That's where the Welshman can do damage.
Round 4A slow start to to round four after the war of round three. Mathews looks to have regained composure.
End of Round 3This is really hotting up now! Rees definitely gets on the board, but Mathews was urging himself on during Rees's onslaught. Things are getting tasty!
Round 3That Rees has Mathews pinned in the corner and working the body. He is finding the target with increasing precision now. Mathews bleeding from his left eye following the clash of heads.
Round 3Rees starting to let fly. Another clash of heads... let's hope that tonight is not a repeat of their last fight.
Round 3Rees catches Mathews with a beautiful right hand. He felt that one did the man from Liverpool.
End of Round 2Jim Watt scores another round to Mathews... and I tend to agree. It's not been the explosive contest many were expecting so far, but both men come into their own during the latter half of their fights.
Round 2It seems pretty evenly matched. Both men are sizing each other up. Mathews is doing all of his work at long range and Rees can't seem to pin him down.
Round 2Mathews seems to be waiting for Rees to come forward before counter-punching. Expect Rees to come on stronger and stronger.
End of Round 1There is no doubting Mathews's ability to box. Whether he can outpower Rees is unlikely, but he has taken the first round with some superior skills.
Round 1Mathews finds the target with an accurate right hand.
Round 1Rees looks up for this one. His punches seem to carry some venom.
Round 1Ding! Ding! We're underway!
20.18Meanwhile Rees has had his injury problems in the last few years. He has had to reschedule a few of his bouts after suffering from a nose problem. this is the second time the two fighters have stepped into the ring with one another. Their October contest was halted in the fourth round when an accidental headbutt left Mathews with a broken nose.
20.16Mathews shocked the domestic scene by stopping the highly rated Anthony Crolla in Oldham in April. It was a fantastic performance from the Scouser and he has not shirked the battle by getting back in the ring almost immediately against former WBA light-welterweight champion Rees.
20.14However, we shall come back to that later, as Gavin Rees is about to join Derry Mathews in the ring for this eagerly awaited British and European lightweight title fight.
20.14And we all know what happened with Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley. No need to delve further into that one...
20.13Josesito Lopez shocked Victor Ortiz in Los Angeles two weeks ago after being virtually outboxed for nine rounds. However, 'Vicious' Victor had to retire after Lopez broke his jaw.
20.10Add to that, Amir Khan is likely to step up after his fight with Danny Garcia next weekend. It is veritable melting pot of talent.
20.09The welterweight division is arguably the hottest around. With the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley at the very top and Paulie Malignaggi, Devon Alexander, Josesito Lopez, Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto for company, Brook will have his work cut out to make a name for himself.
20.06Kell Brook will be hoping to announce himself on the world stage with a victory over his American opponent tonight. A win would set up a shot for the IBF welterweight title and the Sheffield man will be hoping to impress in his hometown.
20.04Welcome once again to Sports Mole's live commentary of the action packed billing from the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield.
Written by
Michael Penkman
Michael Penkman
