Brook vs. Bizier Likely For March 19 or 26 in Sheffield

By Shaun Brown

Boxing Scene understands that Britain's Kell Brook’s (35-0, 24 KOs) second mandatory defence of his IBF World welterweight title against Canada's Kevin Bizier (25-2, 17 KOs) will take place on March 19 or 26 in Sheffield.

An announcement is set to be made this week to confirm Brook’s third defence of a belt he won against Shawn Porter back in August 2014. Since then the 29-year-old has made two successful defences against (mandatory) Jo-Jo Dan and (voluntary) Frankie Gavin respectively. Brook was then due to fight Diego Chaves in the autumn before a rib injury forced the champion to withdraw from the fight.

Purse bids were due for January 12 but they have since been cancelled following an agreement between Brook’s promoter and Bizier’s promoter Yvon Michel.

Bizier earned his spot in November to fight Brook when forcing Frederick Lawson to retire in the 10th round of their world title eliminator in Miami. Lawson was down in round five before suffering a broken jaw in defeat.

A win for Brook could lead to an all-British super fight in the summer against rival Amir Khan at Wembley Stadium. The venue has already been booked for June 4 as that was the only date available. Boxing Scene were advised recently that discussions between representatives from both Brook and Khan’s camps would take place this month with a view to making their long overdue match-up.

February 20 had been initially looked at for the Brook-Bizier fight but with that now just under six weeks away it seems more likely that the later date of March 19 or 26 will be chosen. The Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield has become the popular venue for half of Kell Brook's fights since he beat Matthew Hatton in 2012 and seems the likely destination for this world championship event.

Former European super bantamweight champion Gavin McDonnell (14-0-2, 4 KOs) is expected to appear on the Brook-Bizier undercard with Hearn looking to move the twin brother of WBA World bantamweight champion Jamie into world title eliminators this year.

Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0  or contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com