Former IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook believes undefeated prospect Conor Benn (10-0, 8 KOs), the son of British great and former world champion Nigel Benn, can be the next big thing at 147-pounds.

Brook is backing Benn to "carry the flag at welterweight" in the coming years.

Brook was very impressed after watching Benn make his American debut last weekend, when he knocked out Brandon Sanudo in the second round with a vicious body shot. The fight took place on the Daniel Jacobs vs. Luis Arias undercard at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

Brook, who was stopped back in May and lost his IBF strap to Errol Spence, is now likely to move up in weight to the junior middleweight limit of 154-pounds.

"I've seen the fight [that Benn had in New York]. I've seen him knocking his opponent out with a body shot," Brook told Sky Sports. "He's still learning, he's still young, and if he's anything like his dad, he will do very well. He's looking the part. I think it's baby steps with him. You don't want to fast-track him, he's still got a lot to learn, but he's definitely looking the part."

Benn, 21 years old, will return to the ring on December 13, as part of the undercard to Katie Taylor's first world title defence at York Hall. The fight will be televised live on Sky Sports.

Now that Brook is leaving the welterweight ranks, he tabs Benn as a likely candidate to become a prominent figure at 147.

"I hope so. I've met him a few times and I've got so much respect for his dad," said Brook. "I would love him to carry the flag at welterweight and represent our country, and be champion. I would want him to do that. I'm backing him all the way. Time will tell. We'll have to see when he steps up, if he's born and ready for those bright lights."