Kell Brook was unable to write himself into boxing folklore as he was stopped in the fifth round by an efficient Gennady Golovkin at the O2 Arena this evening.
Much had been made of Brook's decision to move up two weights in order to fight Golovkin, and it was that difference in power that eventually told, as Brook was forced to concede defeat despite providing a stern test in the opening stages.
Golovkin started the first round as the aggressor and he produced a standout body shot early on to leave Brook looking shaken, but the Englishman soon responded with an impressive uppercut of his own to leave his opponent backing away.
The second opened at the same unrelenting pace as both fighters sought to take the initiative, and it was arguably Brook who made his mark, as he drew blood from the nose of Golovkin with a remarkable uppercut towards the end of the offering.
The Kazakh was clearly riled by the events of the second and he came out furiously in the next round, although Brook was able to hold off his advances despite some strong shots on offer from the visitor.
The fourth was a close one to call as both fighters exchanged positive shots, but neither was able to find the sort of work that matched the intensity of the opening rounds.
Despite some impressive work early on in the contest, Golovkin's power eventually won out as he hammered Brook with continuous shots before the Sheffield man's corner threw in the towel, bringing an end to any hopes of a historic upset.
Victory for Golovkin sees him successfully defend his WBC, IBF and IBO middleweight titles and take his unbeaten record to 36 bouts, while Brook falls to 36-1 after suffering the first defeat of his professional career.
