by Shaun Brown

Kell Brook (36-2, 25 KOs) will fight again but not this year.

The former IBF Welterweight champion told The Sheffield Star that, while he doesn't know what weight he will return at, he will definitely return in the New Year.

“I have been having a really long time off and been coming back down to earth. I know I will have to push myself to get back in there but I still want to be a champion," he told Bob Westerdale.

Brook, 31, has only fought once this year -- a fourth defence of his IBF title which he lost to American Errol Spence Jr at Bramall Lane in May. Brook suffered a fractured eye socket in the contest, his second after sustaining the same injury against Gennady Golovkin -- in a middleweight contest -- last year.

His fans, and his promoter Eddie Hearn, have continually called for Brook to move to 154lbs. While Brook has always been a big welterweight he has always made the weight when it mattered.

"I’m not 100% on (which weight). It is well known how hard it is for me to get down to welterweight but if the right fight is there...”

Brook, who has been long linked with a fight against his bitter rival Amir Khan, took to Twitter this week to rile Khan once again after his compatriot spoke about the strengths he would possess in a fight against Floyd Mayweather, should the American come out of retirement once again.

"Amir Khan if you wanna play kiss-chase with retired men shame, really. Get in with me [and] I’ll fast track ya into collecting your pension," said Brook.

His return in the New Year will be a welcome one, particularly should he begin a new campaign at 154lbs. The Super Welterweight division has been having its share of the spotlight lately thanks to the exploits of Jermell Charlo Jarrett Hurd, Erislandy Lara -- as well as U.K. interest featuring Liam Smith and Liam Williams who face one another in a much anticipated rematch next month.