KELL BROOK vs STUART ELWELL

Flashy and talented Kell Brook defends his British welterweight title against southpaw Stuart Elwell at the atmospheric York Hall in east London on Friday in what is really just a showcase fight for one of the U.K.’s rising stars.

Elwell had a nice win in his last fight when he comfortably outpointed the previously unbeaten Paul Burns on his opponent’s home ground in Scotland but before this he had been stopped twice in a row. I have no details on a second-round stoppage loss in Ukraine, but Elwell was hurt to the body against dangerous veteran Ted Bami last July and although he got up from a knockdown he was clearly in distress and the referee waved the finish.

Brook is far the superior boxer and puncher in this fight but Elwell will probably have been lifted psychologically by his fine win in Scotland. A former Royal Marine commando, he is a capable type of fighter at the British domestic level, strong-looking physically, and although not considered a hard hitter he scored a startling win in June 2006 when he landed a lovely right hook from his southpaw stance to blast Francis Jones out of the fight in 67 seconds.

Odds I have seen for the over/under on this fight are 5.5 rounds or 7.5 rounds. Brook looked spectacular in his last fight when blowing away Kevin McIntyre in two minutes, but he might not have the same intensity level for Friday’s routine type of fight whereas Elwell is going into the biggest bout of his career and might well have the attitude that he will give it everything he has in what will likely be his only chance ever to be a British champion. If Brook is a bit laid back, and if Elwell has prepared himself mentally and physically for the fight of his life, then we could see some rounds in this contest.

The result I am expecting is a win in six or seven rounds for Brook. If Elwell answers the bell for the eighth he will have scored a moral victory.