Kell Brook ready to start his reign as Britain's newest world champion
Monday 23 March 2015 18:08, UK
Kell Brook has emerged as one of Britain's biggest stars after claiming a world title in the hottest division in boxing.
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The Sheffield fighter had been tipped as a hot talent from the early stages of his career, but he lived up to his 'Special K' nickname by ripping the IBF welterweight title away from Shawn Porter in August.
Facing the champion on a humid night in California failed to unsettle Brook, who produced an ice-cool display to earn a majority decision win.
But the 28-year-old was unable to savour his sweet victory for long as he suffered a life-threatening leg injury after being attacked with a machete while on holiday in Tenerife.
Fortunately, Brook has battled back to full fitness in recent months and will make the first defence of his belt against mandatory challenger Jo Jo Dan on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.
He has compiled a perfect 33-fight record since marking his professional debut with a points win over Peter Buckley in 2004.
Four years later, Brook was crowned as the British champion following a one-round demolition of Kevin McIntyre in front of a stunned Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.
He halted respected duo Michael Lomax and Michael Jennings during his reign and then stepped up in class, outpointing world title challenger Lovemore N'dou in 2011.
A bid domestic clash followed against Lancashire rival Matthew Hatton and Yorkshireman Brook would win the 'War of the Roses' with a wide points decision.
Brook was edging closer to the big names, but appeared to look past American challenger Carson Jones, who dragged him into a dogfight before the bloodied Brit triumphed on points.
There was no such complacency in the return bout, with a fired-up Brook pounding Jones to a halt in the eighth round.
Vyacheslav Senchenko, a former world champion, still blocked his path to the IBF belt and briefly troubled the hometown favourite, sparking a ferocious response as the Ukrainian was halted in front of a jubilant crowd at the Motorpoint Arena.
The latest title hope from the famed Ingle gym would fulfil his potential against Porter, becoming the latest British champion, and he sits alongside Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao as one of the belt holders in the 147lb division.
Watch Kell Brook's world title clash and a packed undercard in Sheffield this Saturday, from 7.30pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.
