World Weekend Roundup: Brook, Campbell, Ward Victorious

In another complete destruction job, Kell Brook retained his IBF welterweight title by easily turning back the ambition of mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier on Saturday at the Arena in Sheffield, England on Saturday evening.

Brook, 36-0 (25), took Bizier, 25-3 (17), apart with very little difficulty as the Canadian was absorbing powerful shots from the first bell in his first world title opportunity.

By the second round, the iron-chinned challenger, who had never previously been stopped was on rubbery legs after somehow managing to rise after getting floored from a temple shot.

Brook’s ferocious follow up assault had Bizier sagging on the ropes and just abot out on his feet, prompting referee Marcus McDonnell to halt the action at 2:15 of the second.

Brook has looked great in retaining his belt during all three of his title defenses but must step up the level of competition he’s facing as his mandatory challengers pose no threat whatsoever to him.

Hopefully his team can secure a unification matchup with WBC titlist Danny Garcia in what would be one of the more anticipated showdowns of the year.

Also on the bill in Sheffield, lightweight Luke Campbell, 13-1 (11), bounced back from his first career loss by battering former British super feather champ Gary Sykes, 28-5 (6).

Sykes was no match for the rangy southpaw style of the quick-handed Campbell, who stopped his rival at 2:58 of the second frame.

At Wembley Arena in London, middleweight Chris Eubank Jr, 22-1 (17), wore down and then pummeled British champion Nick Blackwell, 19-4-1 (8), until the contest was stopped at 2:21 of the tenth round due to a severe swelling above Blackwell’s left eye.

Blackwell was competitive over the first half of the fight but the quicker Eubank took over and was dishing out a one-sided beating against the brave Blackwell, who was put into a medically induced coma after collapsing in the ring after the contest.

SaddoBoxing wishes Nick Blackwell as speedy and complete recovery from his injury.

The undercard in London saw heavyweight Hughie Fury, 19-0 (10), post a 100-90 UD over American veteran Dominick Guinn, 35-11-1 (24).

Over in Oakland in America, the former king of the super middleweights, Andre Ward, 29-0 (15), returned to the ring as a light heavyweight to put on a convincing performance against undefeated prospect Sullivan Barrera, 17-1 (12), at the Oracle Arena.

Ward delighted his hometown fans, canvassing Barrera in the third round but “S.O.G.” didn’t have everything his way, with his Cuban opponent effective with a jab to the head, right to the body combination for most of the fight.

Ward also was hit more than usual but was never hurt but did lose a point for a low blow in the eighth before sweeping the cards by scores of 119-107, 117-109 and 117-109.

Look for the former Olympic Gold Medallist to compete in at least one more tune up bout before his upcoming challenge of IBF/WBA/WBO light heavyweight king Sergey Kovalev in November of this year.

Making a big statement in Oakland was NABF featherweight ruler Joseph Diaz, 20-0 (11), who retained his title with a 100-91, 99-91, 98-92 UD against former world title challenger Jayson Velez, 23-2-1 (16).