Brook vs. Bizier Formally Announced, March 26 in Sheffield
Jan 20, 2016 • 12:25 PM ET
By Jake Donovan
Last week, Kell Brook and Kevin Bizier saw their teams work out a deal to avoid their mandatory welterweight title fight going to a purse bid hearing. Now, they officially have a date and venue.
As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Brook will enjoy a homecoming in defending his International Boxing Federation (IBF) title on March 26 at Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. Bizier’s team – including promoter Yvon Michel – agreed to terms on January 11, one day before a scheduled purse bid hearing that was eventually canceled.
The deal was finalized and formally announced Wednesday afternoon on UK Sky Sports, which will carry the event.
Sheffield Arena served as the welcoming host for his first defense last March, a 4th round knockout of Jo Jo Dan which doubled as his triumphant ring return after surviving a machete attack while on holiday in Tenerife in Sept. ‘14.
Overall, Brook (35-0, 24KOs) makes the third defense of the title he claimed in a 12-round win over Shawn Porter in Aug. '14.
“I’m delighted to be back fighting at the Sheffield Arena again,” said Brook in a statement released through Matchroom Boxing’s press office. “While I was gutted to miss out on fighting in October, I’ve fully recovered from the injury and feel stronger than ever. I’ve been working hard in the gym and working on new things, and I cannot wait to put on another explosive performance for my hometown fans and prove I am the best 147-pound fighter on the planet.”
Brook’s lone other defense came last May, stopping countryman Frankie Gavin in six rounds. He attempted a voluntary defense last October while awaiting marching orders of his next mandatory defense, but a planned showdown with Argentina’s Diego Chaves fell through after Brook suffered an injury that put him out for the remainder of 2015.
While on the sidelines, he learned of his next challenger. Bizier stormed into the mandatory position following a surprisingly one-sided 10th round stoppage of previously unbeaten Fredrick Lawson last November in Miami, Florida.
From there, the two sides entered negotiations in hopes of reaching the deal. Eddie Hearn – Brook’s promoter – and Yvon Michel were already familiar promotional bedfellows, having pieced together a Showtime-televised event headlined by James DeGale’s thrilling points win over Lucian Bute last November in Quebec City, Canada.
This time around, it was Michel’s fighter who had to travel abroad, which was never really a concern.
“The most important thing was the date,” said Bizier (25-2, 17KOs), who has scored two straight wins following a second loss to Dan in Dec. ‘14. “March 26 is perfect for me. I am already in great physical condition and I will have the perfect preparation in Montréal with my trainer Marc Ramsay.
“I know I will be the underdog once again, but I guarantee you I will give the fight of my life. I am optimistic and I already fought in England as an amateur. Having the crowd against me does not bother me at all.”
UNDERCARD AND TICKET INFO
As reported Wednesday morning by BoxingScene.com staff writer Elliot Foster, Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell MBE will return to action on the bill. His placement comes as a result of his being pulled from a February 27 show in Manchester, where he was to fight in chief support to the super bantamweight title unification bout between Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton.
Also seeing action on the show: Sheffield heavyweights Dave Allen and Richard Towers clash in a British title eliminator; and Andy Townend vs. Craig Poxton for the English Super-Featherweight title.
Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £250 VIP and will go on sale at midday Thursday, January 21 to Matchroom Fight Pass members from the Fight Pass area at www.matchroomboxing.com, then to the general public on Friday, January 22.
Tickets in the £40-£150 bracket are available from the Sheffield Arena on 0114 2565656 and at www.sheffieldarena.co.uk. VIP tickets are exclusively available from www.matchroomboxing.com.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
