Wake-up call for Brock

ON THE ATTACK: Shay Brock fires a right at Gunnar Jackson in their super-welterweight bout as part of the Shane Cameron-promoted Fight Night in Auckland. The judges ruled a majority draw after the eight-round bout. Picture by Calden Jamieson

GISBORNE-born boxer Shay Brock has kept his undefeated record after going blow for blow over eight rounds for a draw with the more experienced Gunnar Jackson.

New Zealand super-welterweight champion Brock looked the goods for the first half of the bout before his stamina gave away in the Shane Cameron-promoted McKenzie Civil Fight Night at Auckland’s ABA Stadium on Friday, shown live on Sky TV.

The decision from the three judges was a majority draw.

“I had the skills to win but not enough gas in the tank,” Auckland-based Brock said. “Gunnar could see that and, in the later rounds, really put the pressure on.

“It was the not the result I wanted but I am leaving here with more experience.

“It was tough, as anticipated, but I learned a lot about myself, my boundaries, how hard I can push physically and mentally.”

Brock, 25, went into the fight with a perfect professional record of 12 wins (six by knockout) and no defeats.

Tauranga’s 31-year old Jackson had 26 wins (11 by knockout), 10 defeats and three draws.

It was the first eight-round fight for Brock, who had previously only fought six round bouts.

“Gunnar had fought 12 rounds against the likes of Anthony Mundine so it was a lot of learning for me.

“I have a lot to work on and it has given me a good gauge of where I need to be.”

Brock is already looking ahead to his next fight against 25-year old Australian Dwight Ritchie in Melbourne in December for the vacant IBF Youth Super Welterweight Title.

Ritchie has a professional record of 15 wins (two by knockout) and one loss.

“This will be the biggest bout of my career,” Brock said. “It does not get much bigger than a world title.”

The youth cut-off is 25, meaning Brock only has until March next year — his birth month.

“I thought I may as well give it a go. I am up for the challenge. I have done my ‘apprenticeship’. Now I want to see what I am made of, see what I can do in this sport while I am young and still with some brain cells.”

After stepping up from six to eight rounds for his fight with Gunnar, Brock will again be in uncharted territory as the world title bout is over 10 rounds.

He has already stepped up his training schedule and after taking the weekend off was back in the gym on Monday.

“I am going to have to do a lot more cardio training and become more efficient,” Brock said.

“The fight with Gunnar was a bit of a wake-up. I thought I was prepared but now I know it was not enough.

“I know what I need to do. This could be my one shot.”