How Brook, Selby and Joshua won

"It's difficult to say what was the best performance of the night. Mitchell was all about the heart, the courage and the flipside was Selby, which was all about the skill. Mitchell may have peaked tonight because it will be very difficult to come back mentally from that. That's a third title attempt."

Daily Star boxing writer Chris McKenna: Bit of an anti-climax after a great night of boxing. Bad of fans to leave during Brook fight. British world champion.

Lee Selby: Thank you everybody for your support!!! It means the world to me!! #TeamSelby #IbfChamp!!!

Lee Selby/TwitterCopyright: Lee Selby/Twitter

Mike Costello - who knows a thing or two about boxing - ranks Lee Selby's amazing world title victory over Russia's Evgeny Gradovich as the performance of the night. You can read a report on that and some of the other undercard fights here.

Anthony Joshua: Until next time, the hype train keeps rolling!! #StayHungry.

Twitter/Anthony JoshuaCopyright: Twitter/Anthony Joshua

Ross Parlett: Kell Brook outclassed poor Frankie Gavin - he ran out of ideas, took so much punishment and went into survival mode. No way back.

Eddie Hearn also added that Anthony Joshua could fight fellow Brits David Price or Dereck Chisora next. He looks unstoppable. The world is at his size 16 feet.

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Promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "You can't criticise Kevin Johnson as a 13th fight opponent. He was up for the fight. I know he got a few chants of 'who ate all the pies?' but he looked decent. But when you get hit by Anthony Joshua, he's going to take anyone out. I believe he can beat all those top people now but we've got to do it right. He's vicious by the way. He might seem like the nicest guy but he was burning inside to beat up Johnson."

World champion Carl Frampton: "Not just going from tonight's performance but Kell Brook is a hell of fighter."

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Promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "Kell won't get the credit until he fights the big names and it's our job to bring them over. But the Americans are talking about him believe me."

Wow, Christophe. That's some card... you'd sell out Wembley twice over with that line-up.

Salmaan: Khan was slammed for seemingly taking an 'easier' fight against Algieri, why is no one saying the same re Brook fighting Gavin?

Christophe Talbotski: Brook-Khan, Froch-Golovkin, Quigg-Frampton, AJ-?, Wembley Stadium, late summer. Makes sense Eddie Hearn #supercard

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Kell Brook tells BBC Radio 5 live: "I always knew it was going to be tricky with him. I just had to be patient for a few rounds. I tried to play him at his own game, be patient, outbox him and then finish him.

"I knew after four or five rounds it would take just take one shot. I knew it was just a matter of time. I saw little signs he was getting tired, I've been a professional a long time. I just thought 'be patient Kell, keep chopping the tree and you'll get him'.

"I can't wait to be fighting a big name next. I'm looking to get out before September, there's nothing wrong with my hands. I'm calling (promoter) Eddie (Hearn) and saying I want my next fight asap.

"I'm unbeaten, I'm ready to take on the world and I'm ready for the best out there now. I want to make a serious legacy. I'm in the hottest division. "

Eddie Hearn tells us that Kell Brook put on a stone and a half from the weigh-in to the time of the weight. That's a big fry-up.

Promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "Frankie Gavin was always going to have a style which would cause problems but Kell Brook was too big and too strong. Frankie said afterwards it was like fighting a monster - he'd never felt power like it, even in the clinches."

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There's a nice moment in the centre of the ring as Kell Brook and Frankie Gavin share a joke. Respect between the two men.

Fraser McNair: Gavin has no power! Go down a weight, skill gets you nowhere if you can't hurt your opponent.

Derry Suter: And still the world champion Special K, great effort from Frankie.

Promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking to Sky Sports Box Office: "Everyone wants Brook v Khan, but it's deja vu. He wants Mayweather but now he's saying that won't happen in September so it'll be next May now. We can't go on waiting. There's nothing we can do - Kell Brook will carry on, he will fight anyone in the division. He's the best domestically and I think he's number one in the world apart from Mayweather, but I do think he'd cause him problems."

Kell Brook, speaking to Sky Sports Box Office: "I knew he'd be tricky for a few rounds. I was testing my skills against him - he's a very talented boxer and I told him that. We could see he was tiring and it was a matter of time. I caught him with a good shot and capitalised on it. There's many more things to come from me. My adrenaline wasn't running - I wasn't excited by this. I want bigger fights.

"Amir Khan doesn't want to listen to me. Why? It's getting boring."

"There are stiffer tests out there. Forget Mayweather, Amir Khan beat Algieri and the Americans like him and he fights big fights. But the fight with Khan has got to happen. I think it's an outdoor fight."

So that's a second successive IBF welterweight defence for Kell Brook. Who's next? Amir Khan? Manny Pacquiao?

"Gavin has got to knuckle down, that's the problem to make a lighter weight. Unless he does that, his future is not in the welterweight division, he has to get down to light-welterweight."

"Kell had so much in store. He was laughing, smirking at times. Gavin turned away when he got hurt by a big punch. The referee has been on stop-watch since the first bell."

Gavin ended up with his head tucked in and went into survival mode as Kell Brook clinically took apart his prey. A clinical performance.

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Another straight right hurts Gavin and then Brook unleashes a frightening combination. The challenger's left eye puffs up. Brook is almost standing there now, having a look and nimbly switching stances to land the shots he wants. Like he's got a sat nav.

Brook leads with the left and then clobbers Gavin with a straight right. As Mike Costello notes, Gavin has all the ability in the world but doesn't have the power to hurt Brook.

"I haven't given Gavin a round yet. We seem to be waiting for Brook to step on the gas. At one point he was hurting him with big, big shots."

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"One of the best rounds we'll ever see in a British ring."

BBC Radio 5 live's boxing correspondent Mike Costello commentates on Kevin Mitchell's heroic loss to Jorge Linares after one of the most enthralling rounds in recent memory.

Mitchell was ahead on two of the judges score cards when the fight was stopped. Linares retains the WBC world lightweight title.

Spine-tingling commentary

"There's a serious blemish under Gavin's right eye. A sign of the damage that he's been taking in this fifth round."

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Kell Brook continues to look like he's nipped out to the shops. He's serene in the ring as he shows neat footwork and classic skills to nullify Gavin's southpaw threat. The champ misses with a right and a looping counter from Gavin hits the spot. Brook continues to look the part though - a Hollywood fighter. The punches begin to rain down as Gavin takes cover in the corner and a blemish opens up on his face.

"Kell Brook is very confident and delivered a body shot that hurt Gavin. A lot of people will have missed it but if Brook's corner have seen it they will tell him to do more."

"Gavin holds onto Brook for the first time and that's significant. He's frightening the life out of Gavin with these heavy shots."

Left jab, right uppercut - Brook is beginning to unload some powerful shots to the chops of Gavin who looks hurt when he is caught near the ropes. Already, Brook senses blood.

Kell Brook is visibly the bigger man and he tries to chase down Frankie Gavin who is a slippery opponent. A left to the side of the face doesn't hurt Gavin who is beginning to get into this fight. Brook works away with some body shots.

"Frankie's boxing beautifully, it's just a lost cause. You can box beautifully and still lose."

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Brook lands to the right of Gavin's face - the Brummie looking like he's about to suffer some facial cuts. Brook is bossing this, without really getting out of second gear.

Brook works away in the corner, a right hand hurting Gavin, but the challenger gets his head down and drives the champions back into the middle of the ring. Again Brook gets his opponent on the ropes but he does get caught by a stiff counter.

The arena is plunged into darkness and the spotlights take effect for the third round. A very watchful start but Gavin's face is reddening as Kell Brook continually clips the former world amateur champion.

"Frankie's gameplan is perfect - try to hit him with body shots and weaken him then go for the head. But he just hasn't got the power plus Brook is extra strong."

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An uppercut from Brook fails to hit the target but Sheffield's finest fighter is in control early on. A clinch sees the two almost topple over. Gavin posing very few problems.

Gavin lands his first real shot, a left getting through Brook's defences. He is, however, rocked by a straight right hand.

"That was Brook's round. Kell has learnt throughout that round that he can't box at Gavin's pace, he likes to slow things down. But Kell learnt quickly."

Frankie Gavin's head is shaved when he ducks beneath a leading right from Kell Brook. Little in the opening round, but Brook's busy work should see him edge it.

Watchful start from Gavin who is slouched as he tries to work out Brook's style early on. Standing on the back foot, he is waiting for a chance to counter.

Good start from Kell Brook who forces a right into the side of Gavin's head. Leading with his left, he's looking to jab with his right.

Let's go. Ding ding.

Frankie Gavin is sprayed with water as Michael Buffer goes through the final formalities. Let's get ready to rrrruuuummmmmbbbbbllllleeee....

Here comes the national anthem. Kell Brook's corner man issues some final instructions - it looks like he needs to drop his shoulder and then 'bang'. Good advice. Special K puts his hand to his heart as God Save Our Queen is played.

"I'm looking forward to this one, it's going to be a clash of styles. Gavin was one of the best amateurs I ever saw. It's going to be a close fight but Kell Brook, beating an American champion in his own backyard, takes some beating. It's been an incredible night and this could round it off."

Kell Brook looks like he's nipped out for a paper and some tea bags. Frankie Gavin is nervously pacing about the ring.

Decked out in red boots, red shorts and a red t-shirt, Kell Brook begins his walk to the ring. The reason for the red? Possibly because he's a Sheffield United fan?

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Ready for the main event? Frankie Gavin is in the ring, waiting for Kell Brook to emerge. A slow, deliberate appearance keeps Gavin waiting.

Former cruiserweight world champion Glenn McCrory reckons Frankie Gavin could be ready to live up to a big reputation earned as an amateur.

"Kell Brook has to worry about Frankie Gavin. There's an argument to say that Frankie is Britain's finest ever amateur, because he is Britain's only ever world amateur champion," he told SkySports.com.

"He's never quite lived up that potential in the professional ranks but this might be the fight that is the start of Frankie Gavin. It might be the end of 'Fun time' Frankie and the beginning of serious time Frankie."

Former WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson thinks that Frankie Gavin is a dangerous opponent for Kell Brook.

"Gavin is an outstanding technician," he told SkySports.com.

"Brook needs the fear of God put into him because if Gavin is hitting him and not hurting him, there's a possibility he can lose on points especially if he doesn't have that urgency.

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If Brook does win tonight, he is apparently being lined up for a fight against American Brandon Rios in August or September. Then he wants Manny Pacquiao who, I'm sure, needs no introduction to you fine people.

Brook's promoter Eddie Hearn said: "My dad (Barry) has spoken to (Pacquiao's manager) Bob Arum about it this week and I really think that it can happen in November or December, once Pacquiao is fit.

"I really think that Kell will smash him to bits because he is younger, fresher and in the form of his life, whereas I thought Pacquiao looked past it (against Mayweather)."

Kell Brook has not sugar-coated anything in the build-up - warning Frankie Gavin that he's "looking to take heads off".

"He told me he was ready to take my belt, and I told him he had better step up and give the fans a great fight," said the 29-year-old Brook. "People have paid hard-earned money to see this fight. It will be explosive."

Special K weighed in for the fight at 10st 6lbs and there was not an ounce of fat on him. He's up for this.

Alex Barriball: Anthony Joshua has the potential to become one of the all time greats, pure class and complete sportsman.

Shohidur Rahman: Eventually Anthony Joshua will have a 12-round fight. Will be interesting to see how is stamina is then.

Alex Taylor Noble: Antony Joshua is just epic. Time for the big guns to step up and take him on!

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The headline above? That's from the Sheffield Star, the home newspaper of Kell Brook, recently. They don't seem to share Frankie Gavin's belief that this fight is just one more on what he believes is his path to greatness.

The Star refers to Gavin as the "The cocky Brummie" after he says: "I'll win the title then defend here (in Birmingham) in September.

"It's just business, I'm coming to take his title. He is a class act, he always pleases the fans, but he's in the way of my destiny of being the best in the world. I'm coming to win."

Frankie Gavin is Britain's only ever world amateur champion and his only pro defeat came on points against Leonard Bundu in a European and Commonwealth title bout last summer. He has three wins on the bounce since, however, and his southpaw stance could prove awkward.

Known as Funtime, the man from the Midlands is on a mission to derail Brook tonight.

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It's been happening since the dawn of time - two blokes preparing to scrap meting out a few choice words beforehand.

Kell Brook and Frankie Gavin were no different on Friday. What was interesting, however, was their body language. As they faced up to each other in front of the cameras, Brook seemed chirpy but composed while Gavin shook with adrenaline. He looked like he wanted to land one on the champion there and then.

He'll have to keep those emotions in check tonight. Adrenaline can make you tired very quickly if not harnessed in the correct manner.

Four-time world champion Carl Froch believes that Kell Brook is more focused on boxing than ever.

"I can only see Kell getting better and better now he's got that self-belief, and that means there will not be any sort of upset on Saturday night," he told Sky Sports.

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Kell Brook enters the ring tonight hoping to send a message to the rest of the welterweight division with a successful defence of his IBF world title against Frankie Gavin.

Unbeaten Brook, 29, had wanted a fight with Amir Khan only for his British rival to take a bout with American Chris Algieri in New York instead.

"I want to make the statement that I'm the man in this division," said Brook. "I'm looking to seek and destroy and prove I'm the number one in the world in the division."

Where does he rank? Should he be fighting the very elite in what is one of the strongest divisions in the sport?

How do you eclipse that? Well, we'll do our best with two Brits fighting for the world title: Kell Brook v Frankie Gavin.

Stuart Edward-Jenks: Sure I saw Buncey writing off Joshua a minute ago. Now he's the future......

Andy Gilderdale: Well, Kevin Johnson. How does it feel to be slapped into retirement by a "big baby"?

Paul Gibbons: One things for certain you wouldn't want to turn up late to a Joshua fight you'd miss all the action... sublime fighter.

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Anthony Joshua, speaking on BBC Radio 5 live: "It shows I have the power but there were times when I was on the inside that I could have been more explosive. So far so good, but in the back of my mind I know it's going to get tougher.

"I'm going to stick with the people who have guided me to this point rather than fall into somebody elses' hands who thinks I'm the finished article."

"He still hasn't been past four rounds. We don't know what he's going to be like over five, six, seven rounds. At one point when the referee didn't step in and I thought: 'is Joshua going to blow himself out?' because he hit him with so many hard punches. Is anyone out there going to stand up to Anthony Joshua?"

Anthony Joshua on Sky Sports Box Office: "I am here to try to make statements. My coach drills me in the gym and the hard work pays off. I want to dedicate that to my stablemates Kevin Mitchell and John Ryder - they've had tough nights tonight.

"The 'L' plates will come off when I face tougher opponents."

John Cotgreave: Anthony Joshua needs to take down Klitschko!!

Daniel Lewis: Anthony Joshua is just smashing through people. Is there anybody who can even match him?

Matthew Lynch: I thought Anthony Joshua was gonna be seriously tested tonight. I was wrong.

I wonder how that book's going, Kevin? (22:02)

"Stunning performance from Joshua. We went to a second round and I thought the referee should maybe not let him take this punishment. That was very impressive from Joshua.

"If we were watching this in the early hours of the morning from the United States we'd better getting very excited.

"I don't want the post mortem to say Johnson was too old and too fat. I thought he would go the distance. The look on Johnson's face was one of shock."

"We've seen the future and the future is Anthony Joshua. Let's not hear about Johnson being fat and overweight."

Let's just remind ourselves that Johnson had never previously been stopped, yet he's been in with Vitali Klitschko, Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora among others. Joshua ended his night in the second round.

Joshua is the smiling assassin, he just stands there and belts his poor opponents until they give in or the ref steps in. Brutal power.

Joshua doesn't do overtime. In fact, he doesn't like to drag out his shift. But why not? He does his job magnificently. What a sensational fighter.

"If he goes down here he could well fall on top of us into our commentary position."

A lamb to the slaughter, Johnson staggers into range and Joshua is allowed to unload long, raking rights. Why has this not been stopped?

Johnson is back up and is again sent crashing by another Joshua barrage. The ref needs to help the American to his feet and to his corner. Saved by the bell. Lucky, lucky man.

Joshua takes his time over the finish, Johnson trying to indicate he isn't hurt. He ain't kidding nobody. A right clatters into the side of Johnson's head. Another right to the head and Johnson is down.

Kevin Johnson looks like he eats raw meat for breakfast. Just for fun. He stands in range, waiting for Joshua to unload. A massive overhand right hurts the backpedalling Johnson.

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As the ref metes out the instructions and the two come head to head, Anthony Joshua towers over Kevin Johnson. This 10-round fight is under way.

Fair point from Steve Bunce. I saw David Price walk through a lot of fighters early on, then he ran into Tony Thompson - a similar, durable and experienced fighter to Kevin Johnson. He's still recovering now.

"Frank Bruno looked in fantastic nick until he was smacked on the chops by 'Bonecrusher' Smith."

"Joshua is a thorough professional - first in the gym and last out. He loves the game and he's always doing extra work. He looks in fantastic nick."

A couple of burly minders help Joshua to the ring. Is that necessary? He would be able to bat away us mere mortals with a little, dismissive swipe of his right hand.

Anthony Joshua stands proudly at the end of his mark. He's shadow boxing, ready to make his way to the ring. I wouldn't want to be Kevin Johnson right about now.

Rory Zachilroy: The Chain by Fleetwood Mac.

Jack Collins: Audioslave "Cochise"

Mark Dean: Can't Be Touched Roy Jones

"When this fight was first announced, I though it was a step too far for Joshua. The last time he knocked someone out was in Birmingham but the punch started in north London and took a detour via the M6 toll road. They saw it coming in Germany. What makes everyone think he's going to walk through Johnson?"

As Kevin Johnson is booed to the ring, Anthony Joshua leaves his dressing room looking every inch the wonderful specimen he clearly is. Muscles, good looks, hard as nails... he reminds me of my young self. Not.

There's been no such thrash talking from Anthony Joshua, whose pre-match talk has mirrored his boxing style - it's all been very clinical and succinct.

"Kevin Johnson is very experienced and very defensive," said Joshua, who won super-heavyweight gold at London 2012. "I want do a job on him for sure but I am not going to get carried away. I am going to break him down bit by bit."

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Kevin Johnson is from the Geoffrey Boycott school of barbs. When he isn't calling Anthony Joshua "a big baby", he's claiming his grandmother could beat the opponents previously sent packing by the big-punching Brit.

"He did the same thing that my grandmother could do if you give her the same opponents," said Johnson.

It sounds like Johnson's gran is a tough cookie. Best to watch her down the bingo hall.

Kevin Johnson has been in the ring with some big boys - he was undefeated in his first six years as a pro until being easily outpointed by Vitali Klitschko.

Since then, he's been beaten by Joshua's fellow Brits Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora. He has, however, always gone the distance - so it'd be some achievement if Joshua did deliver an early night.

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Ever written a book? No, me neither. But Kevin Johnson has - and it's all about how he'll beat Anthony Joshua. It's even got a title - One Day Away.

The 35-year-old explained: "I did something to assure everyone that this isn't a hoax. I wrote a book. The book is going to tell you why I'm going to beat him.

"My book is out there, I can't take it back. You mean to tell me I'm going to let this clown mess up my book? I beg to differ. That's my guarantee. That's why I know for a fact I'm going to win."

If he's got a publisher, the next hour is going to be a nervy affair.

Former IBF light welterweight and WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi believes Anthony Joshua will maintain his unbeaten record against Kevin Johnson but doesn't expect the Olympic gold medallist to stop the big American.

"Once Johnson gets to the point where he knows he can't win, he'll just go into the sparring partner mode. He'll be defensive," Malignaggi told iFLTV.

"It'll still be a very good experience for Anthony Joshua. It'll be very difficult (to get a knockout). Johnson knows his way around the ring."

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Next up? Anthony Joshua against tricky American Kevin Johnson.

"The irony, which is horrible and wicked, is that had he shown half of those brains in his previous world title fights he would have been fighting for his third title tonight, not his first for the third time."

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Mike's right. Poor Kevin Mitchell is going to be hurting - mentally and physically - for days to come. He needs more than a plaster for that face. Ouch. But what a brave and exciting fighter.

"Mitchell's face in the morning will look like he's auditioning for a role in the Elephant Man."

"An incredible contest - one of the best I've ever seen. Mitchell made just one mistake and got caught with a right hand over the top and that started the ball rolling. The swelling on his eye was the problem. But he still fought back. Incredible stuff."

It appears that two of the judges had Mitchell in front. So near, yet so far. Both men played their part in a brutal, special contest.

An unerringly accurate right smashed into Mitchell's eye and stopped the gallant challenger in his tracks. He could go no more.

"Boos ring around the arena but there are no complaints from Mitchell. He's been beaten by one of the best champions on the planet."

Mitchell somehow gets away from danger as Linares throws everything he's got to end this contest. A left uppercut from Mitchell finds its target but Linares has Mitchell cornered. Hang on... Mitchell comes roaring out with the heart of a lion and hurts Linares. Two warriors at work here. No... Mitchell is down.

Mitchell almost topples over when he throws a right and, later in the round, Mitchell is hurt. Linares starts to throw some bombs in the Brit's direction. He's furiously taking part Mitchell.

David Bradshaw: Welcome to the Jungle. Guns n Roses.

Ross McEwan: ACDC Thunderstuck

"That was definitely Mitchell's round. It's so tough, so brutal so bloody. But I think either fighter can win this in the closing rounds by using their boxing skills. "

Ian Cann: Blimey, Mitchell having quite the humdinger of a bout here.

Mitchell connects with a right and then a left uppercut. That gets the crowd going again. The Brit might have taken that round. Three to go.

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Kevin Mitchell is not looking his best - he looks like he's had a night out in Halifax with Paddy Kenny. Linares grimaces as he works away at the body and the ref breaks the pair up.

"Plenty of blood, plenty of respect. But Mitchell's nose is broken you can tell that by the way he's breathing. It's coming out like an elephant in a watering hole in Sri Lanka. He's looking very battered at the moment."

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Mitchell jolts Linares with a solid jab and gets behind his defence when the champion unfurls a four-shot combination. Both fighters drop their guard and tease each other with an opening which could lead to the chance of a counter.

Former world champion Carl Froch: What a great night of boxing so far. Some real quality bouts & now Kevin Mitchell doing the business.

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The cut above Mitchell's eye opens up and trickles past his eye. Linares drives forward with a right but Mitchell responds with a clubbing left hook. The Londoner's head is snapped back by a leading right.

"That was a very confident round from Linares. He looked that much stronger, that more relaxed. Nowhere near enough from Mitchell. He's got to keep scoring punches."

An uppercut from Linares as both men keep their distance and give each other a little respect. Linares' face is displaying plenty of lumps where Mitchell has hurt him. The furious tempo has gone out of the contest though, Mitchell ducking out of the way of a combination before countering and the South American dances away from danger.

"I was a little bit disappointed with Kevin in that round. I thought he was going to push on but I think he's feeling it a bit. It was a bit of an anti-climax and I think he's let Linares back into the fight there."

This is an Ant and Dec fight. There's plenty of rumble. Mitchell is caught to the side of the face and then is momentarily hurt by a blow to the body. A quieter round that one - but still fascinating.

Ross Parlett: Barn burner of a fight between Kevin Mitchell & Jorge Linares - Someone's gonna get knocked out!

"I said in the last round Mitchell had started to grit his teeth. He pushed him back and found the perfect shot. But he got caught with a terrific left shot from Linares and that slowed him down."

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Replays show that Mitchell put Linares down in the fifth round with a looping shot which crashed into the jawline of the champion.

Now it's Linares who has Mitchell on the ropes. The champion evades a long jab. The two men are embroiled in a war now.

Linares covers up under Mitchell's assault. The home favourite is energised by the crowd and delivers some clubbing rights.

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Linares takes his time but gets to his feet. Mitchell steps up the pace.

Both Steve Bunce and Richie Woodhall have Linares 3-1 ahead with a third of the fight gone. Mitchell lands with a right over the top... and Linares is down.

"It was a tough round. A couple of times Linares switched to the body. And I think he hurt Kevin in the body at the end. It's bloody and it's heating up."

More urgency from Mitchell as another cut appears to open to the side of his head. The two men exchange some heavy blows.

Linares throws a heavy right but Mitchell is not hurt. The durable Brit is holding his own but, as I type that, a cut opens above his right eye.

"Linares looks like a middleweight. I've got a horrible feeling Mitchell is going to get ground down, despite all those choruses of 'Bubbles'."

"What's interesting in the fight is that Mitchell is doing everything not to get caught, not to get dragged in. And Linares is not trying that hard to drag him in. He's doing enough and just nicking the rounds."

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A decent counter with his left provides some decent respite for Kevin Mitchell who connects with a left hook and an overhand right. Better from the Brit.

Linares is a curious fighter - he doesn't move much, but is lightning quick when he throws his punches. Kevin Mitchell is holding his ground in the centre of the ring but is yet to hurt the champion.

The two exchange body shots and Mitchell lifts his opponent from his feet when they tangle. A bit of light-heartedness in the opening throes of a boxing war. A left hook into the cheekbone hurts Mitchell as the Venezuelan strikes with the venom of a snake. The champion nicks the round again.

Linares, with his 'socks' pulled up to close to his knees is shuffling about the ring and Mitchell drives forward with a brace of jabs which snap back the head of the champion.

"A very good start from the Venezuelan. We can seen why is so dangerous but he is also vulnerable. But it's good to see Kevin Mitchell using his head and not his heart. The previous times he's lost it's because he fought like an idiot."

The balding, bearded and tattooed Mitchell forces the early pace against the slick-looking Linares who misses with a wild swish of the left. Both men duck and weave, having an early look at each other. A couple of strong rights crash into the side of Mitchell's face. The champion possibly - just about - edges the opening salvo.

"Mitchell-Linares could be the fight of a night of very good fights - for as long as it lasts..."

"Between the two of them, they've lost just five fights - they were both brutally stopped. There's no way we're going to hear judges verdict at the end of 12 rounds. But if this becomes a slugfest the Venezuelan is tall, devastating, vicious and nasty."

A nice left jab gets Mitchell going in this fight, the Londoner racing out of his corner like a dog which has slipped its lead.

Kevin Mitchell is on his toes in the corner, we're under way.

"Just looking around the O2 I can't seen an empty seat, everyone's standing. The Lee Selby performance has really got this crowd excited. Kevin Mitchell is fighting a good boxer but it could be third time lucky for him. He's got a face of determination and he's got the tools for the job."

Kevin Mitchell's corner wave a West Ham football flag as their man is presented to the crowd. The Londoner has all of the support for this one.

Both men make their ring entrances. We're almost ready to rumble. Can Kevin Mitchell make it two British world champions out of two?

Ring announcer Michael Buffer is remaining impartial for the WBC lightweight title fight between Jorge Linares and Britain's Kevin Mitchell but he is predicting it won't go the distance.

"This fight, in my opinion, won't go the distance as both guys can bang," he told World Boxing News.

"I've been at ringside for both of these fighters and it should be war."

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Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya thinks WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares will be too fast for British challenger Kevin Mitchell.

"Mitchell may have hometown advantage but Linares' speed and skill will give him a considerable challenge," he told Matchroom Sport.

"Make no mistake, this will be a difficult fight for both guys and one that is sure to excite."

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Former world champion Barry McGuigan: "Lee Selby, top class performance, great skill."

World Super Bantamweight champion Carl Frampton: "Lee Selby is unreal!"

Boxing promoter Dave Coldwell: What a fantastic performance from Selby! Tell u what, he's arrived tonight"

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Kevin Mitchell has a pretty cool fan - his fellow Eastender Ray Winstone.

"He's nawty, but a special talent," says Winstone in that unmistakeable style of his in a video profile of the fighter for this very website. Check it out, it's worth a butcher's hook (look!).

While Kevin Mitchell came in under the 135lb lightweight limit at Friday's weigh-in, the champion Jorge Linares scaled 4oz over. He returned to the stage an hour later and was comfortably under. That's a long time in the sauna.

Anyway, Mitchell believes his three-weight world champion opponent is "on the slide" and has promised a knockout.

"Four years ago he was great but he was always suspect around the chin," said Mitchell. "He's been chinned a couple of times at lightweight, which is big encouragement for me, and his last six fights [which included five knockouts] haven't been against great opposition."

That's that then.

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New world champion Lee Selby: "It's amazing. I've got all my friends and family here, they've all driven down from South Wales. When my brother passed away in 2008 that was the point I turned my life around. I turned professional I used to be up to no good before that to be honest. If I could do that anybody can do it. I'll go home and have a fizzy water because I'm not allowed alcohol."

Former world champions Joe Calzaghe: Congrats to Lee Selby on becoming new world champ!! Class performance!

BBC Radio 5 live are in place for the Kevin Mitchell fight. Listen here.

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What do you mean you don't remember Terry Nutkins? In truth, I was looking for a picture of a pet lion and that one came up.

Anyway in that excellent feature about Kevin Mitchell, the East End lightweight admits he squandered £180,000 in eight months of drinking. Boxing broke him, but it has made him again.

His star is back on the rise and he could end the night as a world champion. Sounds like an excuse for a big party?

Not a chance, as Mitchell says: "I've had some mental, mad parties, the craziest you can think of. But I don't miss it. I'm done with all that messing about."

And that is why his best years could yet be ahead of him in the ring.

Next up is Kevin Mitchell and, if you read just one other thing tonight, let it be Ben Dirs' excellent feature on Mitchell. After all, where else would you read the following sentence?

"Battling Siki, light-heavyweight world champion in the 1920s, walked his pet lion down the Champs-Elysees while wearing a top hat and tuxedo, with pistols on his hips."

Unfortunately it didn't end well for Siki.

Like countless boxers before him, Mitchell has had his problems but, as Ben finds out, those are all in the past.

Read the feature here.

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New world champion Lee Selby tells Sky Sports Box Office: "I can't explain how I feel. I've been working for this for so long. I had my first amateur fight nearly 20 years ago.

"I caught him and he wobbled. I was going to break him down and put on a show for the fans. We had two accidental clash of heads but I'd won every round up until then."

"Absolutely fantastic. I just felt Selby was doing the better work on the back foot. Selby is deservedly Wales's most recent world champion."

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That was a seriously good display from Lee Selby. He was in the company of a quality fighter and he made a previously unbeaten man look distinctly average. Not a bad night's work.

"Regardless of the stoppage, Selby was well in control. I had him clear ahead in rounds. He really bust him up in the last two rounds. He would have stopped him anyway there's no doubt about that."

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The judges' scorecards: 79-73, 80-72, 79-73.

The winner... and the new champion of the world... Lee Selby!

The damage to Gradovich was caused by a clash of heads, so we are going to the judges. Surely, surely, surely Selby has got this.

"(Gradovich's trainer) Robert Garcia's shaking his head, he can't believe what he's seeing. But the doctor's know what there doing."

The blood is gushing out of Gradovich's head now. Lee Selby is every bit the master craftsman as he drags the champion around the ring as though he has him on a lead. The ref asks the doctor to look at Gradovich's cuts...

"Gradovich is cut hugely round his right eye. It's a huge gash. If he wasn't sure before, now Selby knows he's hurt Gradovich. Selby has blood pouring down his back. It's not his, it's from Gradovich's cut."

Remember, Gradovich has never been beaten in the pro ranks. He's a bit of a featherweight wrecking ball, but he's looking like he's met his match against Selby. A right hand misses its target, but Selby manages to avoid the counter so no damage done. The two get in close before Selby gets on his feet and pulls Gradovich around the ring. Another solid right nestles into the Russian's forehead. Is he made of granite?

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Selby has got this fight. He just needs to maintain this performance in the second half of the fight - and he starts well, hurting Gradovich with a fine combination.

"Selby caught him with a huge shot right on the temple. But Gradovich's legs didn't look right. His legs have gone. If Selby sustains an attack, he's going to be in all sorts of problems, Gradovich. Dominant round for Selby. He wobbled him straight away."

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Gradovich drops his hands and invites a solid right from Selby which lands flush on the temple. Gradovich's pace has noticeably slowed as the two head back to their respective corners.

Gradovich's face is as red as a cricket fan's after a day at the Test. He's taken some punishment but doesn't take a backward step. Again, Selby needs his laces tieing but he springs back into the ring and rocks Gradovich with a booming shot which brings about some jelly legs for the Russian.

"It will be interesting to see how the judges are scoring this. I haven't given a lot of points to Gradovich because of Selby's jabs but Gradovich is landing some good punches. I don't like to see Selby on the ropes because that's when he's getting caught."

Each round mirrors the next. Gradovich is forcing the pace and Lee Selby is boxing nicely, but perhaps using up a lot of energy through his dancing, ducking and weaving? Only time will tell. Selby leans forward and invites an onslaught as he looks to land a counter.

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It's a credit to Lee Selby that everyone is in their seats, gripped by the action. It might not be the headline fight, but it's a fascinating contest. Gradovich doesn't look like he'll run out of steam and a left gets through Selby's defences. He gets the Welshman on the ropes and works away at the body before the ref intervenes.

"Gradovich is trying to get in very close to Selby, trying to just take the air out of his tyres if you like. But Selby is a very, very fit boy and Gradovich is going to get himself marked up doing that. He got a little bit close and whether it was enough to win the round I'm not sure. I'll give it even."

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I've not seen much of Lee Selby, but I'm impressed. He's got the lot, it seems. Standing at range, he evades a right and counters in style. As Ben says, that left hook is rather handy. Gradovich is throwing a lot of punches but none are really troubling the nimble Selby. There's a blow to the back of the head, which the referee warns the Russian about.

"Some lovely skills from Selby in the opening few rounds, some of those left hooks were indeed worthy of Mayweather."

"He's just boxing beautifully this round Selby. Gradovich's face is marking up - as early as the third round. I'm really impressed. His jabbing was really good and he moved his feet well."

Former cruiserweight world champion Enzo Maccarinelli tweeted: "Brilliant boxing by Selby so far but is being made to work hard."

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Ducking and weaving, Selby is proving difficult to catch for Gradovich who has a look of menace on his face. There's a Hollywood villain role in the pipeline if he decides to leave boxing, I reckon. The referee stops things so Selby can tie his laces and the fast pace continues on resumption as Selby throws clubs from the right and to the side of Gradovich's chops. The boxer is beating the fighter here (see 20:10).

Don't get in close, go long with the jab is the advice from Selby's corner. This fight could be brutal if it goes 12 rounds.

"I would just like to see Selby raise his hands up to his face a bit more. I just get the feeling that Gradovich is a harder puncher than his record suggests because he's hurting Selby. But I've got Selby just nicking that round again."

"Keep it simple," says Selby's corner as replays show the challenger landed some impressive, booming shots flush to Gradovich's face in that opening round. The Russian tries to draw in Selby who is quick on his feet and living up to that 'Welsh Mayweather' nickname. Dancing round the ring, he leads with his left and clubs with his right. A fast pace early on as blood begins to show from the bottom of Selby's nose. Possibly from a clash of heads. Selby nicks it again.

"Both fighters making an impact. Selby's moving his feet better but Gradovich is closing the distance."

Gradovich lands a right but Selby is composed and using the jab well. Gradovich has one thing in mind - he wants to scrap, but I reckon the challenger has nicked this opening round. A bit of a masterclass in many ways - but can he do that for 12 rounds?

Former cruiserweight world champion Enzo Maccarinelli tweeted: "Welsh Mayweather vs the Russian Mexican. Brilliant!"

Lee Selby forces the early pace, but Gradovich doesn't like to be dictated to and tries to pressurise with some body shots to the inside. The Welshman on top though.

Here we go. First round under way.

Former world champion and fellow Welshman Joe Calzaghe tweeted: "Come on Lee Selby."

Gradovich's team are dressed in red and black jackets which carry the slogan of a snorting bull. You know the type... the ones which usually advertise steak houses in America.

"Gradovich is a brawler. He likes to get his head in the chest of his opponent. It appeals to the Mexican dynamic."

The lights are down, the spotlights are trained on the ring and flashes of blue momentarily light up the O2 Arena. We're ready to see the first of three world title fights. Quick, grab a brew/beer/biscuit... it's going to be a long, but good, night.

Lee Selby arrives into the ring in white and gold. Or is it blue?! Ah, let's not go down that road.

Now, here comes the champion wearing a sombrero. It's a good look.

So, there you have it - a fascinating clash of styles is upon us. Michael Buffer bellows "let's get this party staaaarted", and promptly introduces the Welsh challenger Lee Selby.

"Gradovich is a raw, rough fighter and it's a classic boxer versus fighter. What happens when a boxer takes on a fighter? The boxer usually wins. Brains usually beats brawn and I'm going for Selby's brains and twinkletoes to win tonight."

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Lee Selby hopes to become "the face of Welsh boxing" if he beats Evgeny Gradovich for the IBF featherweight title.

The 28-year-old from Barry is aiming to become the 12th Welshman to be crowned world champion.

"Wales needs a new champion. Since Joe Calzaghe we've had Nathan Cleverly but he sadly lost the title," said Selby. "When I win, this could be the start of something special in Wales."

Lee Selby is pacing around in the changing rooms as he prepares to enter the arena. A squirt of water over his head, a bit of help putting on his white and gold hooded jacket and we're almost set.

"Selby did it the quiet way for the first nine or 10 fights. He's had quite a few hand injuries along the way and people started to question him. But I never questioned him because he's got huge talent and I think he's capable of wining a world title - maybe a two weights because he's a huge featherweight."

You can listen to the Lee Selby fight on BBC Radio Wales. If you're not in the area, you can listen online too.

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan believes Lee Selby's bout with Evgeny Gradovich is the fight of the night.

"All (the fights) have merit but none will better Selby's match with Gradovich for the IBF featherweight crown," he wrote in his column for the Daily Mirror.

"Not enough has been said about Selby. He has worked his way towards this title challenge, grafted away diligently in the distance without grabbing the attention.

"On the way up he has ­travelled the world, offering himself as a sparring partner to Yuri Gamboa, Oscar Valdes and Floyd Mayweather Jnr without crowing about it."

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Standing in Lee Selby's way is American-based Russian Evgeny Gradovich, who has a record of 19 wins and just one (controversial) draw - which came last time out, against Jayson Velez in Nebraska.

He has held the belt for more than two years and has two nicknames - The Mexican Russian and Mini Destructor. I prefer the first one.

He is known as an entertaining fighter, and has been on HBO's Gatti List which recognises the world's five most spectacular fighters.

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First up, we're about to see how the fighting pride of Wales Lee Selby gets on in his quest to emulate fellow compatriots Steve Robinson and Howard Winstone by winning world featherweight titles.

The 28-year-old, with a record of 20 wins and just one defeat, is known by some as the 'Welsh Mayweather' because of his showboating style.

Not a bad nickname to have. But what does Selby think about it?

"I wouldn't class myself as the Welsh Mayweather," he said. "I wasn't always flashy, there's nothing I'd like more than to have a tear-up.

"That's what I did from 10 years of age, just have a scrap. That's what I'd like to do but that won't win fights. The way to win fights in professional boxing is to hit and not get hit, to hit and make them miss and that's what I mould my style on."

Let's be honest, it wouldn't be a proper night of boxing without the superb commentary of Mike Costello. BBC Radio 5 live will bring commentary from the O2 Arena from 21:00 BST. You can also listen online and through your mobile phone, connected TV, the app or whatever else you can get rigged up to t'internet.

"I blinked. Did I miss anything?"

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Former world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly starts a six-rounder against Czech Tomas Man. And it's all over in about 25 seconds with a brutal bodyshot that has Man on the canvas.

Well, you don't get paid for overtime in this game.

In the opening fight of the night, Dave Ryan was knocked down twice before retaining his Commonwealth light-welterweight title with a technical knockout win over John Wayne Hibbert.

Scott Cardle became the new British lightweight champion after a unanimous points decision over Craig Evans.

And Nick Blackwell stunned John Ryder with a seventh-round stoppage to become the new British middleweight champion.

What's your boxing opinion like? Do you throw right-hand bombs like Anthony Joshua, or do you prefer to be as slick as Kell Brook?

Whatever you want to get off your chest - as long as it's vaguely about boxing - you're in the right place.

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Let's kick off by asking you what your ring-walk music entrance would be. I ask this because Joshua offered fans the chance to vote on his arrival music this week.

Me? Being a Mancunian, I'd be straying into Oasis territory.

Get involved tonight via #bbcboxing or send a text with your name on to 81111. The BBC Sport Facebook and Google+ accounts are also open for business. Pile in.

Evening all. Nice little Saturday night ahead of us, isn't there?

It's almost a year to the day that Carl Froch flattened George Groves. Will tonight's bill at the O2 Arena offer similar levels of excitement and high-class boxing. The sell-out crowd is in place, now it's over to the boys who throw the punches.

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What's that I hear? Where's the big, nasty heavyweights?

Well, if big men throwing big punches is your thing Anthony Joshua is in action against durable American Kevin Johnson.

Johnson has called Joshua a "big baby" in the fight build-up. If I'd called Joshua something like that, I wouldn't bother turning up tonight. It would be lights out.

Or will Joshua finally be taken the distance in his 13th fight?

Then there's the business of tonight, when three Brits could end the evening as world champions.

Lee Selby is targeting the IBF featherweight title against Evgeny Gradovich while, in the lightweight division, local hero Kevin Mitchell will hope to end a turbulent few years with victory against Venezuela's WBC champion Jorge Linares.

The headline act? Well, that's Kell Brook who will do battle with fellow Brit Frankie Gavin to decide who sleeps with the IBF welterweight belt tonight, Steven Gerrard-style.

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For the last few years British boxing has been in the shadows. Apart from the obvious few, there has been a lack of world-class boxers and, more importantly, the belts and titles they bring to these shores.

But that's all changing.

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Amir Khan is closing in on a mega-fight with the world's best, Floyd Mayweather, while, just last week, James DeGale made history to become the first Briton to win Olympic gold and a professional world title.

There's the simmering rivalry between world super-bantamweight champions Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton, while Jamie McDonnell is becoming a star in the bamtamweight division.

And perhaps we might yet see modern-day great Carl Froch in the ring again...