The longest layoff of Kell Brook’s career gave him plenty of time to think.
The former IBF welterweight champion realizes how a significant portion of the boxing public perceives him now. According to Brook, that widespread doubt has inspired him throughout his 14 months out of the ring to make one last, legitimate run at winning a world title in the 154-pound division.
The 33-year-old Brook will launch his comeback Saturday night, when he’ll meet Mark DeLuca in a 12-round main event in Sheffield, England, Brook’s hometown. Sky Sports will televise their main event live in the United Kingdom and DAZN will stream it in the United States.
Brook believes he’ll put on “a sensational performance” while defeating DeLuca (24-1, 13 KOs), a 31-year-old southpaw from Whitman, Massachusetts.
“This is my chance to show everyone, you know, that I’m back and that I’m back 100 percent now,” Brook told Sky Sports on Wednesday. “You know, a hundred percent mentally, physically, spiritually, I’m back and I’m excited. I’m excited because this version of me has never, ever been in the ring. So, I’m excited to see what I do myself.”
Brook (38-2, 26 KOs) hasn’t fought since soundly defeating Australia’s Michael Zerafa (27-4, 16 KOs) in a 12-rounder that took place in December 2018 at Sheffield Arena, also the site of Saturday’s show.
Chasing big fights, particularly a long-discussed domestic showdown with Amir Khan, took Brook’s focus off of what was in front of him. That’s among the reasons why he welcomed this extended break.
“I think everything’s for a reason,” said Brook, who has lost only to IBF middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin (40-1-1, 35 KOs) and IBF/WBC welterweight champ Errol Spence Jr. (26-0, 21 KOs). “You know, I probably weren’t ready, maybe looking for the big fights and maybe mentally I wasn’t there. You know, having the time out, spending time with me girls and realizing, you know, the phone’s not ringing anymore. Eddie’s not phoning me up anymore. I’m not the flavor of the month anymore. You know, so it’s my time to prove why I’m the special one, why I belong where I belong and everyone’s gonna see, the world’s gonna see Saturday night what I’ve got.”
Brook by far is the most accomplished opponent De Luca has agreed to fight. Though De Luca has just one loss on his record – a 12-round, split-decision defeat to Walter Wright in June 2018 – he is the type of opponent against whom Brook is supposed to look good.
“It does create extra pressure, but I’ve been on the biggest stages and, you know, I’m an elite fighter,” Brook said. “With the pressure comes the performances. You know, I’m putting that pressure on myself because, you know, I really, honestly believe I’m gonna show up. You know, I’m not just gonna come in and say I’m gonna come in and perform. I’m gonna get in there and be sensational.”
Sky Sports’ coverage of the Brook-De Luca card is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. GMT. DAZN’s stream of the Brook-De Luca undercard is slated to start at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
In the co-feature Saturday night, Sheffield’s Kid Galahad (26-1, 15 KOs) and the Dominican Republic’s Claudio Marrero (24-3, 17 KOs) will square off in a 12-round IBF featherweight elimination match.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.