Kell Brook roars back into action with brutal stoppage of Mark De Luca

Kell Brook announced his return to the ring with a seven round demolition of Mark De Luca at Sheffield Arena.
Kell Brook is all smiles after his win over Mark De Luca at Sheffield Arena. Picture: Mark RobinsonKell Brook is all smiles after his win over Mark De Luca at Sheffield Arena. Picture: Mark Robinson
Kell Brook is all smiles after his win over Mark De Luca at Sheffield Arena. Picture: Mark Robinson

Brook had pummelled outclassed De Luca before a big left hook felled the American and he could not rise.

Fourteen months after a lacklustre performance in his last fight which left plenty questioning whether he would ever be seen in a ring again, Brook laid out his credentials for another push at world title glory with a classy and composed performance.

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After settling into the contest, he dominated, picking shots intelligently and putting plenty of spite behind them.

The tough De Luca was a bloody mess by the end of the third round. A few rounds later, he was offering nothing back as Brook continued to dismantle him.

Brook looked fit and sharp - certainly at the levels he needed to be to negotiate a potential banana skin and claim the WBO Intercontinental super welterweight title.

The first round was a tentative affair with Brook not too keen to commit forward.

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But he lets his hands go in the second and began to enjoy some real success

A stinging right hand dow the middle bust De Luca's nose in the third and it looked a real struggle for him.

Certainly so when a chopping right hand weakened De Luca's knees and Brook followed up ruthlessly with a barrage of hooks that sent him to the floor.

There was even time for a bit of showboating towards the end of the round - such was the manner of the control.

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A late barrage at the end of the fourth sent De Luca staggering back to his corner and it always seemed likely an early end would come, despite the America's supreme toughness.

Brook took the odd shot and will look to tighten up in the future but he could afford to be a little slack.

De Luca showed his toughness but offered very little of his own offense.

The end came in the seventh with a brutal, short, sharp left hook rocked De Luca's head and wiped him out.

Tougher tests await but Brook is undoubtedly back.

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