Former Irish champ Gavin gets shot at IBF World champ Kell Brook
‘Special One’ defends belt for second time – Mitchell and Selby face World champions – Joshua meets Johnson plus three more title fights
After impressively defeating Jo Jo Dan in Sheffield in March Kell Brook makes a quick return to the ring on Saturday 30 May to defend his IBF Welterweight title against Frankie Gavin at The O2 in London, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Brook v Gavin headlines a huge night of boxing that includes three world title fights – WBC Lightweight Champion Jorge Linares defends his title against popular Londoner Kevin Mitchell and Welsh stylist Lee Selby challenges Evgeny Gradovich for his IBF Featherweight title. Rising Heavyweight star Anthony Joshua MBE has his toughest encounter yet facing former World Heavyweight title challenger Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson.
John Ryder and Nick Blackwell clash for the vacant British Middleweight title with Scotty Cardle and Craig Evans meeting for the Lightweight version and Dave Ryan defends his Commonwealth Light Welterweight strap against John Wayne Hibbert.
Adam Smith, executive producer of Sky Sports boxing said: “This is another mouth-watering night of boxing on Sky Sports Box Office. Kell Brook is a great headline act and I always look forward to seeing him in the ring. He has some big fights on the horizon I’m sure, but Frankie Gavin will be a real test and Kell will have to put in a performance to get the style of win that he wants.”
Kell Brook impressed last time out during his classy fourth round stoppage over Dan. He will now be eager to put in another stand-out performance against Gavin who was England’s first ever World Amateur Champion after taking gold in the 2007 World Championships in Chicago.
Kell Brook said: “I never expected to be out again so quickly but I can’t wait. I respect Frankie for stepping up, he has called for this fight for a long time and after he was given a final eliminator against Tim Bradley it made sense for him to take the challenge. I feel like I’m unbeatable right now and Gavin isn’t going to be able to cope with my speed and power on fight night. The O2 is one of the best arenas in the world and it’s an honour to headline a card like this.”
Frankie Gavin said: “These are the fights you want to be part of and are where I belong. I’ve dreamt of a world title and I will be 100 per cent ready physically and mentally for Kell Brook. Of course it’s going to be tough but I believe Kell is beatable and I’ve always felt that I have got the skills and the team to cause an upset.”
Tickets are now on general sale for the bumper night of boxing at The O2 with tickets priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £200 available from www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202. The £400 VIP packages are exclusively available through www.matchroomboxing.com
