Boxing: Kell Brook survives battle against Carson Jones

Kell Brook clung on to his unbeaten record in Sheffield last night and took another step toward a world title shot.

Brook was under pressure to deliver in his hometown against a dangerous but low-profile opponent in American Carson Jones. Both men knew the winner of this IBF welterweight eliminator would move to within one win of a challenge for the world crown and it was Brook who finished the 12 rounds bloodied but victorious with a majority decision. One judge had it a draw and the other two ruled 116-113 and 115-113 in his favour.

Brook, 26, had been expected to extend his perfect 27-0 (18KOs) record against a man who has suffered eight defeats over the years. Yet Jones (34-8-2, 24KO wins, 8KO losses) boasted a higher IBF ranking of third, compared to Brook in fifth, and made it very tough.