By Ben Carey
Sheffield switch-hitter Kell Brook will make the second defence of his British welterweight title against Stuart Elwell at York Hall in Bethnal Green on January 30. The 31-year-old Elwell, 12-3 (2), has been handed this shock opportunity despite losing two of his last three contests by stoppage, against former European light-welterweight champion Ted Bami and unbeaten Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko.
The Walsall southpaw did rebound with a six-rounds points win over the previously unbeaten Paul Burns in November, though Burns was a relative novice of 11-fights and has three draws on his record. Elwell’s other defeat came on points against John O’Donnell in March 2007 when he challenged for the vacant English title.
The British Boxing Board of Control’s decision to approve Elwell as a voluntary title challenger is surprising considering they vetoed Brook’s original intention to defend against fellow Midlander Mark Lloyd after claiming Lloyd was too low in the domestic rankings. Midlands Area champion Lloyd possesses a similar record to Elwell at 12-2 and also unsuccessfully challenged for the English welterweight crown against Adnan Amar last May (losing on points). Lloyd subsequently took part in the Prizefighter Welterweight competition but after decisioning Steve Conway he was beaten on points in the semi-final by fellow Elwell conqueror, Ted Bami.
In truth, apart from Michael Jennings, Brook looks head and shoulders above his domestic peers. The talented 22-year-old is unbeaten in 18 fights and captured the vacant British title in June with a seventh round stoppage of Welshman Barrie Jones after former champion Kevin McIntyre had been controversially stripped through injury.
Brook was then ordered to defend against the fit-again McIntyre five months later and emphatically dispelled any disputes that he was the rightful owner of the Lonsdale belt by flooring McIntyre three times and halting him in the opening round of their grudge match.
