By Terence Dooley
Kell Brook's opponent for his March 28th IBF welterweight title defence at Sheffield's Motorpoint Arena has changed from TBA to Jo Jo Dan. The Sheffield-based boxer has revealed that he is taking on his 33-year-old mandatory challenger at the first possible opportunity to clear the decks for a big summer fight.
BoxingScene.com understands that the Romania-born, Canada-based southpaw was always Brook’s number one target despite the possibility of securing a big, U.S. name for his first defence due to a burning desire to ensure that he is not tied down by his mandatory obligation when the big fights roll into view later this year. The word from America last weekend backed up this theory, then Rick Reeno broke the news of a deal earlier today. The March mandatory defence will free “Special K” up for a big fight in either the summer or autumn.
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the fight at a press conference in Sheffield earlier today, he pointed out that Brook, 33-0 (22), went through a traumatic stabbing incident in the summer, shortly after ripping the belt from Shawn Porter in August via a majority decision in California, so has done well to get himself back into fighting shape.
“Kell had a huge high in America winning the title before his life-threatening attack in Spain,” stated Hearn. “I'm so proud he is back in action.”
“I feel so emotional right now,” added Brook. “I laid in the hospital thinking I might not walk again—now I am defending my belt at home. We could have gone pay-per-view and got a big American name, but I am looking to get my mandatory out the way and get the big fights. Dan has worked hard to get his shot and he'll give it his all. I am not looking past him, I was a mandatory too like he is, but I am going to work even harder to keep the belt that I earned.”
The fight will be shown on regular Sky rather than PPV. Hearn had hoped to host Brook’s defence in the U.K. as the opening leg of a huge U.S. fight between Carl Froch and Julio Cesar Chavez Junior, stating that it had been “close” when talking about this week, only for an injury to rule Froch out of a March fight date.
Not to mention the fact that there was little or no talk about the fight Stateside and, as the weeks ticked by, a March meeting with Chavez in Las Vegas started to look increasingly unlikely due to Chavez’s dispute with Bob Arum, which is threatening to overshadow Junior’s April 18 date with Andrzej Fonfara up at light-heavyweight.
As for Brook, the 28-year-old also said that he wants to aim for the truly big fights against the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, but in order to get the marquee names he has to build himself up to that level so will have to ease past Dan, 34-2 (18), to give himself some breathing room with the IBF, who tend to enforce their mandatory match-ups.
“Kell Brook is a very, very special fighter,” said Hearn when talk turned to potential big fights and nights. “He will put on a great display on March 28 and show the world he will unify the division.”
Dominic Ingle, Brook’s trainer, sounded a note of caution by reminding the assembled press that Brook upset the odds against Porter and Dan is capable of doing the same if his charge is not on his game.
He said: “A lot of people thought he wouldn't come back from the stabbing but he's better than ever, it's remarkable. Dan is tough, he can fight, he's awkward and he's earned this shot. Kell has to be 100% for the fight—he won't underestimate Dan.”
Brook underlined his joy at being back in action when speaking to Sky Sports News, saying: “I can’t believe it. It’s been emotional today. I lay there in the hospital bed (following his stabbing) thinking: ‘Will I ever walk again?’, let alone box. It was baby steps, but now I’m training at 100 miles per hour. I just can’t wait for it.
“I remember being that guy (the mandatory) and being shut out, not getting the ins, so I’m giving him (Dan) the opportunity to fight for this title, but every southpaw I’ve been in with I’ve taken out. He’s in (there) for a reason, it’s going to be a great fight.”
Brook also reiterated that, should he beat Dan, there is a chance of a fight against British rival Amir Khan or one of the big U.S. names that have been bandied about in recent weeks, i.e. Andre Berto, Josesito Loez and others. Although he will have to take a few more steps up the ladder before he’s in Mayweather and Manny territory.
“If it’s not against the guy from Bolton, it will be against other highly-ranked top names that you’ve heard of in the summer,” added Brook. It’s about performing in this fight then rolling to a super fight in the summer.”
The undercard will feature Adam Etches’s International IBF middleweight title defence against the dangerous Sergey Khomitsky as well as Gavin McDonnell’s challenge to EBU Super bantamweight titlist Oleksander Yegorov. With news of more fights to follow.
Please send news and views to @Terryboxing