Kell Brook: I Want To Become Two-Time World Champion in 2020

Kell Brook says he is keen to go down any road that leads to a world title shot after starting what he believes is the next chapter of his career with a knockout win over Mark DeLuca in Sheffield.

The former IBF welterweight champion took seven rounds to get rid of the former US Marine, who was brave, but outclassed. If he gets a world-title shot this year, as he wants, the next step up is a big one.

After 14 months out of the ring, this was the unveiling of a new Brook, not so much leaner as fitter. There had been no panic to make weight, no length absences from the gym. When Dominic Ingle, his trainer, challenged him to return to the gym this past Monday, Brook said he would be there on Sunday.

“I’ve never seen him looking so fit,” Eddie Hearn, the promoter, said. “Normally I’m sh-ting myself because I am thinking ‘how has he made the weight? Is he going to run out of gas?’ He looked like he could have done 20 rounds.”

DeLuca did what was expected of him. The former US Marine was brave, did not give up, despite being under continuous pressure and, eventually, was knocked out.

He hit the floor twice. Having gone down in the third round, having been sent wobbling by a massive left hook, it was something of a surprise that he was still there four rounds later, a testament to DeLuca’s heart and a brave corner, who kept sending him out despite his rapidly altering facicial features.

Whenever Brook stepped up a gear, shortening his punches, almost everything his DeLuca clean. When the sixth round ended with DeLuca tottering, the man from Massachusetts snorted in defiance.

The seventh round lasted 75 seconds, time for the American to fall through the ropes and be caught by a stunning short left hook, which dropped him flat on his back. He was counted out in the act of rising.

“I got a clinical finish,” Brook said. “The guy came over believing he was going to win. He was tough, I needed a few rounds to get into it but once I settled down it was a bloodbath in there. I’m just going to get better and better.

“I’m after belts. I was very fit, I feel complete, like this is me. I’ve got the fire in my belly and I want to become a two-time world champion this year. I’m straight back into the gym. I felt good in there.”

A lot of names have been mentioned as future opponents, both at 154lb and 147lb, but few look obvious.

Ringside was another ex-world champion, Liam Smith, the former WBO 154lb belt-holder, who has been largely biding his time waiting for another title shot. As summer clash between the pair would seem obvious, although Hearn said he would only look at that is he was unable to pin down a world title shot for either in the meantime. Smith said he would be keen on the fight, Brook too.

“It’s good fight,” Brook said. “I’m sure Eddie will sit down and what number he can come up with and how flavourful he can make it. But if he is on the road to be being a world champion, he is on the road. All these people who think I am over the hill, they are my motivation.”