Kell Brook beats Shawn Porter to claim IBF welterweight title

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Kell Brook on the way to beating Shawn PorterImage source, Getty Images

Kell Brook has become the new IBF welterweight champion after beating Shawn Porter in Carson, California.

Brook, 28, won the bout on a majority decision to earn his first world title in his second fight outside of Britain.

The rugged Porter started strongly but Sheffield's Brook worked his way back into the fight and produced the more accomplished performance.

Brook won 117-111 and 116-112 on two judges' cards, while the British judge scored it a 114-114 draw.

Brook v Porter in focus

Brook landed 36% of his 441 punches, while Porter connected with just 25% of his 626 shots.

"I looked scrappy but did what I had to do," said Brook, who remains unbeaten.

Brook has 33 wins from as many fights and his victory could set up a potential fight with fellow Briton Amir Khan.

"The British public want it," added Brook, speaking to Sky Sports. "He'll probably say that I need to win another title for the fight.

"I know he doesn't like me. The fact is, he is getting it. I'm the champ of the world."

Khan told BBC Radio 5 live: "If the fight can happen, let's make it happen.

"I'm up for it. I think I'd like that in somewhere like Wembley Stadium, we can fill that out, that would be a quick sell.

"It's the fight that the UK fans want to see and have been talking about for such a long time."

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Porter (right) beat fellow American devon Alexander to take the IBF title.

Porter, 26, had showed the greater work-rate in the early stages, with his busy style not allowing his rival to get into any sort of rhythm.

The Briton sustained a cut to his left eye at the end of the second round after being caught by the American's head in one of the many clinches in the fight, although he was never really troubled by the home favourite.

Porter also suffered a cut after another clash of heads and started to show signs of tiredness at the halfway stage of the 12-round contest.

Brook, whose jab was working particularly well, took advantage of the fading Porter by landing the cleaner punches, especially an uppercut in the seventh.

He imposed himself the longer the fight progressed and finished the stronger.

On the undercard, there were wins for fellow Britons Callum Smith and Luke Campbell.

Super-middleweight Smith was a first round winner over Abraham Hernandez, while Campbell won his lightweight contest against Steve Trumble with a second-round stoppage.

Omar Figueroa also stopped Daniel Estrada in the ninth round to defend his WBC lightweight title belt, while Anthony Dirrell won a rematch against Sakio Bika to claim the WBC super middleweight.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Brook,(right) had three dates against then IBF champion Devon Alexander cancelled in 2013 because of injuries to both boxers.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Brook has now set his sights on a domestic showdown with Amir Khan.

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