Kell Brook pulls out of Friday fight with illness

Emerging British welterweight star Kell Brook has pulled out of Friday's fight with Michael Jennings with a virus. The two were to meet as part of a very nice double-header on Sky Sports from Liverpool's Echo Arena.

Brook (20-0, 13 KO) has risen fast through the ranks since turning pro in 2004, and he looks for all the world like more than "just another British fighter," with no offense meant to our UK friends and readers. Brook has all the skills to make it big on the world stage, and the matchup with Jennings (35-2, 17 KO) may have been one final step before making an even bigger jump in competition. He's been running through solid domestic opposition like Michael Lomax, Kevin McIntyre and Barrie Jones.

Promoters are trying to find a late replacement to keep Jennings on the card. The sole main event of the evening now will pit BBBofC super middleweight titleholder Tony Quigley (13-1, 6 KO) against Paul Smith (27-1, 15 KO), both Liverpool fighters.

No word on the extent of Brook's illness just yet, or if he intends to reschedule with Jennings, though I'd assume that will happen. A lot of folks were quite excited for the bout.