Brook eyes summer showdown after clinical hometown win
Kell Brook retained his IBF welterweight title with a clinical second-roundstoppage of the overmatched Kevin Bizier at the Sheffield Arena.
The unbeaten Brook (36-0, 25 KO wins) produced a statement performance in his home city, albeit against a clearly inferior opponent, in his first bout in 10 months as he made a successful third defence of his world title.
The Canadian challenger was bloodied after a vicious opening assault from the champion, who knocked his opponent down twice in the next round to bring an early halt to proceedings to the joy of the partisan crowd.
Brook is now expected to turn his focus towards securing a summer showdown against one of the premier fighters of the 147lb division.
While refusing to overlook Bizier, Brook made no secret of his desire to stepup a level in the build-up, with fellow world champions Danny Garcia, JessieVargas and Keith Thurman mooted as his next opponent as well as the winner of the money-spinning showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley in two weeks' time.
He was last in action in May 2015 when he stopped Frankie Gavin in six rounds, although an October contest against rugged Argentinian Diego Chaves was cancelled after Brook sustained a rib injury.
His hand was forced by the IBF mandating the clash against Bizier, whose only previous two defeats came in split decision reverses to Jo Jo Dan, a fighter Brook defeated in four rounds 12 months ago.
Brook was therefore an overwhelming favourite to extend his unbeaten run in the professional ranks and so it proved, even inside the opening minute.
Despite the lengthy lay-off, Brook showed no signs of ring rust as he found his range with the jab almost immediately while a big right hand wobbled Bizier midway through the opening round.
Bizier cut his eye in the onslaught and Brook could not miss with a series ofsickening blows.
Another bruising right hand shook Bizier and he was down on the canvas after Brook followed up with a flurry.
While the brave 31-year-old managed to beat the count, he was back on the floor a matter of moments later, leading to the stoppage with 45 seconds left in the round.
On the undercard, 2012 Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell also had an early night as he got back to winning ways with a sensational second-round stoppage of Gary Sykes to capture the vacant Commonwealth lightweight crown.
Campbell (13-1, 11KO) suffered his first defeat in the paid ranks againstFrance's Yvan Mendy in December but reignited his career in spectacularfashion.
After a cagey opening round, the 28-year-old's overhand left rocked his fellow Yorkshireman, who sank to the canvas after taking another solid shot.
While he was able to beat the count, Campbell forced his opponent onto theropes before unleashing a furious barrage, forcing the referee to intervene with two seconds remaining in the second round.