Thursday 29 June 2017 12:11, UK
Eddie Hearn has revealed Kell Brook could make his return to the ring in Sheffield this December and has named Miguel Cotto as a potential opponent for 2018.
Brook sustained a broken eye socket while losing his IBF welterweight title in an 11th-round stoppage defeat to Errol Spence Jr at Bramall Lane in May and has since had surgery.
Hearn has confirmed that the operation was a successful one and the promoter believes that the Sheffield star will likely return to the ring in December, probably at the super-welterweight limit.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Hearn said: "Brook has just had an operation and it went very well, it was much simpler than the previous one he had on the other eye.
"He has had two bad injuries and to fracture both eye sockets in two consecutive fights is very unusual and very unlucky.
"But he hasn't had too many hard fights and I still believe that he is one of the best fighters in world boxing. If he moves up to 154lbs, he will have a lot more in the tank and more energy to go on and achieve - he still has that fire inside him.
"I think December is realistic for him to be back and I want to bring him back at super-welterweight in a fight in Sheffield."
Puerto Rican star Cotto is one standout name in the super-welterweight division should Brook move up and Hearn reveals that the four-weight world champion is certainly a target for the future.
"Brook definitely still has a future in the game and is very hungry following the Spence loss," said Hearn.
"I think we will probably see his return in Sheffield in December and then we will target a mega fight in 2018, whether that is Miguel Cotto or alike."
