Craven Park Round-up
Luke Campbell made an impressive professional debut with a first round stoppage victory over Andy Harris (2-6) on Saturday at Craven Park Stadium, Hull.
The Olympic champion uniquely headlined the show as he made his eagerly-awaited bow in the paid ranks, and those waiting until past midnight got the result they were expecting.
Harris, who had taken Campbell's former Team GB captain Tom Stalker the distance earlier in the year, was expected to prove durable but that was before he was clipped high on the head by a right hook inside the first minute.
The journeyman did not look hurt but he took a second count shortly afterwards after taking another handful of shots and the end was soon enough in coming.
Campbell, backing his opponent into a corner, unloaded some spitefully accurate blows to have the referee waving the fight off after one minute and 28 seconds.
"This is the start of a very special journey, he's not just a great fighter but a perfect ambassador for the sport," said promoter Eddie Hearn. "I can't wait to be part of his journey.
"He'll be back on September 7 in Glasgow and he's going to be boxing all round the country, at least once a month for the next year."
Also on the card, Kell Brook (30-0) returned to the ring with an eighth-round stoppage victory over old rival Carson Jones (35-10-3).
Brook has seen a fight with IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander fall by the wayside on no fewer than three occasions this year, and this was his first outing since winning a final eliminator last October.
That fight came after Jones had taken Brook to the brink of defeat on a nerve-wracking night in Sheffield 12 months ago and 'The Special One' wanted to put the record straight.
And Brook came out looking very sharp, his ramrod jab piercing Jones' high guard as the American stalked his opponent early on without landing anything of note.
Brook's fierce right hands were landing at will, knocking Jones off balance and he opted to take a knee in the second under a fierce barrage.
It was a massive round for the home fighter and the third saw more of the same as Jones ate up Brook's best shots as he sought to bring the Oklahoman's guard down.
However, Jones was not going to lie down and he came out with more ambition in the fourth, landing his combinations and just as in the first fight drawing blood from the nose of Brook.
The former British champion was breathing more heavily in the fifth but still he landed by far the heaviest shots, however entering the second-half of the 10-rounder it didn't look as though Jones would be shifted in a repeat of their first encounter.
However, he was knocked off balance by a stiff uppercut in the seventh and when Brook led with the jab there was nothing Jones could do about it.
Brook charged out of the corner in the eighth and landed some spiteful right hands, Jones given a standing count after touching down while trying to hold on.
And while the count looked a little harsh, Brook went in for the kill and with Jones shipping more punishment on the ropes, Michael Alexander brought a halt to proceedings.
Brook will now return to the ring in Sheffield in September against a big name, to be revealed next week.
Other results on the card:
Derry Mathews TKO 10 Tommy Coyle
Lee Selby UD 12 Viorel Simion
Curtis Woodhouse TKO 3 Joe Elfidh
Anthony Ogogo TKO 5 Gary Boulden
John Ryder TKO 2 Yoann Bloyer
Joel Haigh PTS 4 Youssef Al Hamidi
Zak Collins TKO 4 Ross Payne
Rocky Fielding PTS 4 Darren McKenna