• Kell Brook v Luis Galarza

Belligerent Brook enjoys success on US debut

Kell Brook was too much for Luis Galarza © Getty Images

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Kell Brook succeeded where Carl Froch failed on Saturday night, turning in an explosive performance to build a new fan base on American soil.

Brook, who was making his debut in the US, stopping Luis Galarza in the fifth round to set up the possibility of one or two major fights in 2012. An understandably nervy start soon gave way to a punishing display of boxing by the Brit, who is keen to set up a future bout with Amir Khan.

Galarza never featured, despite Brook's anxious opening, and the Yorkshire fighter's authority was established as soon as he landed a big right hand in the first. By the end of the opening stanza Galarza was saved by the bell as a strong jab left him on wobbly legs as he returned to his corner.

Brook's jab is a good sign for the future and he used it well to pepper his target, only once eating a straight left down the pipe. That aside, Galarza's face was beginning to swell - showing clear signs of the punishment he was suffering.

The pressure increased in the third round, and Brook did just about all he could other than put his rival on the canvas. Certainly the Brit's work was registering with the referee, who visited Galarza's corner ahead of the fourth.

In the end, it was the fifth round that brought the stoppage, Brook landing clean with a right hand that staggered Galarza against the ropes. Brook moved in for the kill, forcing the stoppage as ref Alan Huggins stepped in.

"I was nervous, he was a tough durable kid and I took my time to start with," Brook told Sky Sports. "Now I've got this one out of the way, next time I'll really be on it."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.