It’s crunch time for Sheffield’s Kell Brook as he looks to continue his ascent towards becoming a world champion when he faces Hector Saldivia in a final eliminator for IBF world welterweight title.
If successful, Brook will become the mandatory challenger for the belt and go on to face the winner of the all-American clash between current champion Randall Bailey and Devon Alexander, which takes place in New York on the very same night.
‘Special K’ would be wise not to look past Saldivia, though. Known as ‘El Tigre’, the dangerous Argentine has won 41 of his 43 professional bouts and has 32 knockouts to his name.
Although yet to taste defeat, Brook is considerably less experienced than his opponent and his most recent contest against Carson Jones led to concerns about his stamina.
The fight, which was also held in Sheffield, went the full distance and Brook noticeably tired after dominating early on.
He suffered a broken nose in the eighth round and nearly went down in the last before eventually holding out for a majority decision.
If that unbeaten record is to remain intact and Brook is to win for the third consecutive time live on Sky Sports, he must match his undoubted technique with the type of physical prowess necessary to perform at the very highest level.
This will be Brook’s last and most crucial step in his journey to joining the top table in a star-studded welterweight division.
The Sheffield fighter isn’t the only homegrown talent within reach of a world title fight.
Earlier in the night, British, Commonwealth and European bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell takes on Darwin Zamora in an eliminator for the IBF title.
McDonell was scheduled to meet former world title challenger Vusi Malinga in Sheffield but the South African has been forced to withdraw due to an injury sustained in sparring.
Nicaraguan contender Zamora, who has stepped in with just six days notice, is the current WBA Fedecentro super flyweight champion and possesses a modest record of 21 wins from his 28 contests.
Undefeated in his last 11 outings, McDonnell feels ready to make the step up and challenge for the belt currently held by Mexico’s Leo Santa Cruz.
Dave Clark presents Sky Sports’ coverage of a top night of international boxing from the Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield.
He will be joined for expert analysis by Johnny Nelson and Glenn McCrory.
Commentary on the big fight comes from Nick Halling and Jim Watt, with Andy Scott conducting ringside interviews and reports from Charlie Webster.
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