Gennady Golovkin vs Kell Brook as it happened: Kazakh champion retains titles despite spirited 'Special K' show
'Special K' faced the biggest test of his career to date as he jumped two weight classes to face the fearsome Kazakh middleweight
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Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Gennady Golovkin vs Kell Brook.
Brook faces the biggest test of his career as he jumps two weight divisions to face the fearsome Kazakh at the O2 Arena.
Golovkin, who holds the WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight crowns, is a devastating puncher rated by many as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet.
Both are undefeated but, as they say when perfect records meet in the hurt business, an ‘0’ has got to go.
Follow the latest with our live blog below…
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What time will it start?
The first fights of the night start from 7.00pm, with the main event expected to begin some time between 10.00pm and 10.30pm.
Where can I watch it?
The whole card will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office and can be ordered by viewers for £16.95.
Alternatively, you can keep up to date on the bout with The Independent's live blog.
Who’s on the undercard?
Lee Haskins vs Stuart Hall
IBF bantamweight title
Callum Smith vs Norbert Nemesapati
12 rounds, super-middleweight
John Riel Casimero vs Charlie Edwards
IBF flyweight title
Martin J Ward vs Andy Townend
British super-featherweight title
Paul Smith vs TBC
6 rounds, super-middleweight
Conor Benn vs Silvije Kebet
4 rounds, super-lightweight
What are their records?
Wins, wins by knockout, draws, losses
Golovkin: W35 KO32 D0 L0
Brook: W36 KO 25 D0 L0
What belts are on the line?
Golovkin’s WBC and IBF world middleweight belts will be on offer to Brook, but the Kazakh’s WBA title will not be contested.
The body refused to sanction the bout due to concerns over Brook's jump up two weight classes.
What are they saying?
Golovkin: "I have a different plan and a more serious plan. Kell is a great fighter and I respect him. He's an undefeated champion from the UK with a great record. I understand it's not an easy fight for us so I'm more serious and more focused."
Brook: “I feel strong; I feel like I’ve never felt before. I’ve grown and put muscle on. I’ve been draining myself to make 147 for years. I feel more natural, more comfortable at this weight. I’m going to be a monster and surprise everybody when they see me and Golovkin at the weigh-in.”
What are the odds?
Golovkin: 1/7
Brook: 9/2
Golovkin by KO: 1/4
Golovkin by decision: 6/1
Brook by KO: 9/1
Brook by decision: 12/1
Draw: 33/1
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Gennady Golovkin vs Kell Brook.
In what could well be the highlight of the British boxing calendar, Sheffield's 'Special K' takes on the man rated by many as, pound-for-pound, the planet's best.
We'll have regular build-up from approximately 7.30pm.
Stay with us for updates...
Here's everything you need to know about tonight's fight...
Our boxing correspondent Steve Bunce weighs up the challenge Brook faces tonight...
Lee Haskins vs Stuart Hall IBF bantamweight title
Round four: Better from Hall, finds a few nice rights and probably does enough to take the best round of the fight.
Haskins won't be too worried but his momentum slipped a little there.
Lee Haskins vs Stuart Hall IBF bantamweight title
Round five: A slips sends both boxers to the floor, looked like the zealous Hall was over-reaching.
Haskins responds, landing a fair few heavy lefts. Hall is trying his heart out but, after his best round, lets this one slip. Paddy Lynch, his trainer, has no sympathy.
"If you want to lose, keep doing what you're doing, because you're losing." Ouch.
Lee Haskins vs Stuart Hall IBF bantamweight title
Round ten: Haskins lacking power and looking fatigued, his normally nippy style is nowhere to be found.
Hall gets busy, landing several hands. He is controlling the pace and it's another round for the challenger.
'Sweet Caroline', i.e. the working class' greatest folk anthem, is being rang out now.
It's a big camp and kitsch but it works, you know.
Huge, huge cheers for Brook.
It didn't quite expect such a partisan crowd, to be honest. It may be London, but they seem well behind the Steel City's boy.
Not that it will faze Golovkin. We were just treated to a shot of him sat calmly in his dressing room and he looked absolutely zoned in.
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