Brook-Jennings bout is postponed

Sheffield prospect Kell Brook has withdrawn from his eagerly anticipated clash with Michael Jennings on Saturday because of a viral infection.

Brook, recently named British Boxing Writers' Young Fighter of the Year, was due to defend his British welterweight crown at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

The British super-middleweight bout between Tony Quigley and Paul Smith will now top the bill.

British Olympians James DeGale and Frankie Gavin will also be in action.

"I'm gutted that I won't be part of what will be a very big fight night in Liverpool," said Brook, who is undefeated in 20 fights.

"I came down with the virus after collecting my Boxing Writers award in London last week. Since then I haven't been unable to move let alone train and there's no way I was going to fight a top fighter like Jennings in this state."

Beijing gold medallist DeGale, 23, faces Scot Ally Morrison in his fourth professional fight, while Gavin faces the far more experienced Steve Saville, who has 19 wins from 25 fights.

Brook, 23, claimed the title last June by beating Welshman Barrie Jones and has defended it three times, and his clash with Jennings will now be moved to a later date.

Former British champion Jennings, 32, was stopped in five rounds when he challenged Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title in February.

Brook had hoped victory over the Chorley fighter would catapult him into the European or world title picture.

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