Brook eyes Khan meeting after impressive US fight debut

Brook, fighting on the undercard of Carl Froch-Andre Ward in Atlantic City, grabbed a fifth-round stoppage of Puerto Rican Luis Galarza.

The 25-year-old fighter, a former stable-mate of fellow Sheffield boxer Naseem Hamed, is nearing a shot at one of the welterweight world titles and wanted to make a statement on his American debut.

He got the job done at the Boardwalk Hall, taking occasional early shots before stamping his authority on proceedings and forcing the stoppage. The win took Brook to 26-0 with 18 stoppages while Galarza dropped to 17-3 (13 KO wins).

Brook tested the water in the opening moments – taking a strong right over the top for his trouble – but soon assumed control by the end of the session and had Galarza stunned briefly as a left hook hurt his opponent and a right – a split second after the bell – scrambled the Puerto Rican’s senses.

A powerful left showed Galarza’s own power in the second. Brook soon jumped in with a right hand before picking his shots brilliantly to hurt his man again.

Perfectly timed left hooks were dominating the fight for the classy Yorkshireman and when he planted his feet to let the power shots go, Galarza was in deep water.

Referee Allan Huggins was watching closely, seemingly ready to step in and end Galarza’s misery as the sparse crowd enjoyed Brook’s work. But Galarza, though cut around the right eye and swollen in several other places, survived into the fourth. Brook was prepared to bide his time before stepping it up in the fifth.

A stiff right hand shook Galarza and after taking a step back, Brook followed it up with a left hook and sharp right combination which had Galarza out on his feet and prompted Huggins to step in.

Brook is keen on a match with former light-welterweight world champion Khan, who has spoken of moving up a division.

“I’ve always boxed in Britain so to have been here on a massive show is a great feeling and I’m ready to come here again and again,” he said.

“You’ll be seeing my here again and there will be an even better performance.

“Boxing fans all around the world are watching this and I’ve hit a new audience now. They’ve just seen a good performance from me – but I can and will be giving them more in 2012.”

He added: “The jab worked beautifully and it set everything up. Luis had a go and stayed there until the end really but this was his world title fight and he wasn’t going to go easily.”

Froch had to admit the better man won after being left “bitterly disappointed” by a lacklustre points defeat against Andre Ward.

Froch came up short against Ward as the classy, unbeaten American won the Super Six tournament final and added his opponent’s WBC belt to his own WBA super-middleweight title.

“I’m bitterly disappointed,” said Froch.