By Terence Dooley

News of the withdrawal of Darren Barker from the Frank Warren-promoted bill at the LG Arena, Birmingham on September 18th was quickly followed by a disquieting rumour about one of the other title fights on the bill, sources indicated that Sheffield's Kell Brook had been laid low by a virus and was a major doubt for his British welterweight title contest with Chorley's Michael Jennings, which also doubles up as a WBO title eliminator.  Brook, though, has moved swiftly to dispel the whispers.

“Listen, I am one hundred and fifty percent fighting on that bill, don't believe anything else you hear,” revealed Brook when speaking exclusively to BoxingScene earlier this evening.  “I'm very happy with this fight.  I asked for the fight again after it had been postponed a few times, I could have got another fight and gone on without Jennings but everyone in Britain wants to see this fight and I want it.  I want to show people what type of champion I am.”

Jennings will no doubt breath a sigh of relief, the showdown had seemed jinxed, with two previous dates falling through due to injury and illness; Brook, however, was keen to ensure that he took care of domestic business before moving on from the UK scene.

“Michael is one of the best welterweights in the game so to beat him will show people that I can move onwards and upwards,” he enthused before admitting that he wants to go one better than Miguel Cotto, who stopped Jennings in five to win the vacant WBO title last February.

He added: “That fight is in the back of my mind.  Cotto is a top fighter and I want to do it in a better way and quicker than Miguel to show people across the world that I'm ready to take over.”

Although confident of getting a win, the 24-year-old is aware that Jennings, 32, represents his toughest test to date, 'The Lurcher' has been in and around the top of the domestic division for most of Brook's career.  Indeed, Michael won the English welterweight title from Barnsley's Chris Saunders in October 2004, just a month after Kell turned professional with a six-threes points win over Peter Buckley.

“I respect him,” said Brook when asked for his thoughts on Jennings, “when I turned professional he was one of the top guys in the British division and has stayed there all this time.  I respect him as a professional and have spoken to him at shows, he's a nice guy but he is basically trying to stop me from moving on, I'm standing in his way as well so I've got to put the hurt on him.”

So, the fight is safe, the touchpaper has been lit, and 'Ezekiel' feels that this contest will firmly establish him as one of the strongest contenders in the 147lb division.  “My prediction for the fight is that it will be very exciting and I can see myself going onto stop him and really making a statement,” declared the 21-0 (14) boxer.

“It is a big test for me, he is a top fighter, but I can beat him and move on.  I'm full on, I am quick, I come on from angles and I'm an exciting fighter.  I will also show I'm a tough fighter and just want the fans to enjoy it.”

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