Kell Brook stopped Hector Saldivia in the third round of their world title eliminator
Kell Brook delivered the goods on his return to the ring with a devastating victory over Hector Saldivia in Sheffield.
By Adam Norman
Last Updated: 21/10/12 10:42am
The pride of the steel city had questions to answer after his shaky performance in July, when he narrowly saw off Carson Jones on points.
But with a world title fight at stake for the winner, Brook was different class as he decked Saldivia for a second and final time early in the third round.
He was on top early on as he doubled up with the left jab and hook with the Argentinian looking to get inside and fire the upper cut.
But late on Brook caught him with a straight left and the right upper cut that followed had the visitor on his back, although not visibly hurt.
He beat the count but there was more of the same in the second round as Saldivia became marked up round both eyes, Brook back to his best with quality combinations.
There were warning signs for the Sheffield man late in the session, Saldivia landing with a big left hook and following up with some heavy artillery just before the bell sounded.
However, the end was swift in coming in the next - a sharp left stopping Saldivia in his tracks before he walked onto a thudding straight left that sent him sprawling backwards.
And although he managed to get to his feet the legs were unsteady and as he pulled the gumshield from his mouth the referee waved the fight off.
"I went back to the drawing board, it's been a team effort and I've done the hard work," he told Sky Sports.
"Tonight I'll be watching Randall Bailey v Devon Alexander fight because I get the winner. When you get to this level you can't mess about and we'll get the job done."
