Kell Brook will make his eagerly-anticipated return to the ring against Mark DeLuca at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on Saturday February 8 on a bumper bill featuring Kid Galahad taking on Claudio Marrero in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Featherweight crown, Terri Harper clashing with Eva Wahlstrom for the WBC Super-Featherweight World Title and the return of Heavyweight favourite Dave Allen, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Former IBF Welterweight ruler Brook (38-2, 26 KOs) was last seen outpointing Australia’s Michael Zerafa over a year ago in his hometown and ‘The Special One’, now trained by Dominic Ingle, will be aiming to shake off the ring rust and fire his name back into the mix for a Word Title shot in 2020.

Standing in his way is the USA’s DeLuca (24-1, 13 KOs), a southpaw hailing from Whitman in Massachusetts nicknamed ‘The Bazooka’ who is currently enjoying a three-fight winning streak, picking up the NABA Super-Welterweight title on the undercard of Andrade vs. Kautondokwa in October 2018.

“I’m so happy to be back and I can’t wait to put on a performance for my city on February 8 live on Sky Sports and DAZN,” said Brook. “I’ve had a year out, there has been some dark times but what I’ve realised is I love this sport and I know I have some of my biggest years left in the game. DeLuca is a strong, gutsy fighter who is always ready for war but I’m planning on putting on a statement and showing the world that I’m still a force at 154 or 147lbs.”

Galahad (26-1, 15 KOs) fell short in a close and controversial battle with IBF Featherweight kingpin Josh Warrington at the First Direct Arena in Leeds earlier this year but the Sheffield contender has earned a golden opportunity to land another shot at the 126lbs World Title when he meets ‘The Matrix’.

Marrero (24-3, 17 KOs) captured the interim WBA Featherweight World Title with a one round demolition of Carlos Zambrano in 2017 and the 30-year-old from the Dominican Republic is determined to shatter Galahad’s dreams and set up another attempt at gold for himself. 

“Every opponent at this level has to be respected and that’s what I’ll do,” said Galahad. “He’s a game kid in a life changing fight, similar to me. So it will be a tough night but I’ll prepare fully. 

“I am grateful to the IBF, Matchroom and my team for making sure they made a sensible decision to get me back into the Final Eliminator – something I think is deserved and most of the fans do too. 

“I’ve had many people believe I won the first fight with Warrington but what’s written in the record books is what counts. I’ll focus fully on Marrero now and then if and when we get through that  – I’ll look to right the wrongs of the first fight. Let’s hope Josh sticks around to take the rematch as many of his own fans and neutrals came out saying he didn’t do enough to have his arm raised the first night.”

Harper (9-0, 5 KOs) got off to a flying start under the Matchroom Boxing banner with a polished performance to outpoint tough Brazilian Viviane Obenauf in the first defence of her IBO Super-Featherweight World Title on her 23^rd birthday in November. 

That win set up a shot at the famous green and gold WBC Super-Featherweight World Title owned by Finland’s Wahlstrom (23-1-2, 3 KOs), a veteran of women’s boxing who will be making the sixth defence of her title against rising star Harper.

“I’m really looking forward to be fighting back in Sheffield, this time as a Matchroom fighter and fighting for one of the most prestigious World Title belts in my opinion,” said Harper. “I know that there’s boxers out there who would give anything for this opportunity that I’ve been given, so we’re leaving no stone left unturned. 

“Being local and having the home crowd behind me on the night, the atmosphere is going to be electric – I know this is going to push me on to win the belt not only for me but for every single supporter.”

Allen (17-5-2, 14 KOs) makes his long-awaited ring return after taking some time out of boxing following his defeat to David Price at The O2 in London in July, and the ‘White Rhino’ now has his eyes set on securing a shot at the coveted Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt in 2020.

“It’s great to be back boxing and even better it’s at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield,” said Allen. “It’s an honour to be boxing alongside some of my friends and to see Kell Brook return to action. I’m coming back to win the British Title and that’s my aim for 2020, this is the start of that journey.”

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: “We’re delighted to see Kell Brook back in action on Sky Sports in front of his hometown fans in Sheffield. Kell will be determined to prove he can still battle with the very best, including British rival Amir Khan, and we hope he can set up a blockbuster fight for later in the year.

“It’s an exciting early addition to our 2020 schedule, with Kid Galahad trying to force his way back into World Title contention, the excellent Terri Harper can become Britain’s latest World Champion, and Dave Allen always guarantees entertainment.”

Tickets priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 (VIP) go on sale at midday today (Friday December 20) and will be available to purchase from the FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk), StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

Cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and junior middleweight Kell Brook could be fighting next in the United States, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Eddie Hearn said May 18 is the target date, with Chicago as a possible location, for the southpaw Usyk (16-0, 12 KOs), 32, of Ukraine, to face contender Povetkin (34-2, 24 KOs), 39, of Russia, in a fight that would mark Usyk’s official entrance into the heavyweight division.

Hearn said he is also hoping to finalize the fight between Brook and Jesse Vargas — weight to be determined but between 147 and 150 pounds — for either late May or early June, at a location on the West Coast to be determined. Brook (38-2, 26 KOs), 32, of England, has won two fights in a row against lesser opponents since losing two fights in a row, by fifth-round knockout to Gennady Golovkin for the middleweight title in 2016 followed by an 11th-round knockout loss to Errol Spence that cost him his welterweight belt in May 207.

DOORS 16:30

BOXING STARTS 17:00

4 x 3 mins Super-Middleweight contest
CALLUM HANCOCK 12st 1lb 9oz v IVAN NIKOLOV 12st 2lbs
(Sheffield) (Bulgaria)

6 x 2 mins Lightweight contest
TERRI HARPER 9st 9lbs 2oz v FERICHE MASHAURY 9st 9lbs 5oz
(Denaby) (Tanzania)

18:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS FACEBOOK

6 x 3 mins Welterweight
ANTHONY TOMLINSON 11st 6lbs 1oz v INNOCENT ANYANWU 10st 6lbs
(Sheffield) (Netherlands)

6 x 3 mins Super-Bantamweight contest
QAIS ASHFAQ 9st 3oz v JAY CARNEY 8st 12lbs 7oz
(Leeds) (Liverpool)

19:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

8 x 3 mins Super-Featherweight contest
KID GALAHAD 9st 6lbs 1oz v BRYAN MAIRENA 9st 4lbs 12oz
(Sheffield) (Nicaragua)

10 x 3 mins Super-Welterweight contest
ANTHONY FOWLER 10st 13lbs 6oz v JOSE CARLOS PAZ 11st 3lbs 2oz
(Liverpool) (Argentina)

12 x 3 mins Final Eliminator for IBF Super-Featherweight Championship
JONO CARROLL 9st 3lbs 6oz v GUILLAUME FRENOIS 9st 3lbs 5oz
(Dublin) (France)

12 x 3 mins WBA International Welterweight Championship
JOSH KELLY 10st 6lbs 7oz v DAVID AVANESYAN 10st 6lbs 6oz
(Sunderland) (Russia)

12 x 3 mins Final Eliminator WBA Super-Welterweight Championship
KELL BROOK 10st 10lbs 2oz v MICHAEL ZERAFA 10st 13lbs 8oz
(Sheffield) (Australia)

FLOAT

4 x 3 mins Middleweight contest
SHAKIEL THOMPSON 11st 6lbs 1oz v KONSTANTIN ALEKSANDROV 11st 9lbs 1oz
(Sheffield) (Bulgaria)

Michael Zerafa has accused Kell Brook of overlooking him and says he’ll thrive off the underdog status when they clash at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield this Saturday, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Zerafa, 26, is a former Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion and has secured 14 of his 25 wins via knockout. He has lost just two of his 27 professional fights, including a stoppage loss to former WBO Middleweight ruler Peter Quillin in 2015.

The Melbourne fighter admits that former IBF World Champion Brook is another step up in class but says he is ready for whatever the Sheffield star throws at him.

“I’m really up for this fight, I’m in the best condition of my life,” said Zerafa. “Halfway through the first round Brook and his team will realise they’ve underestimated me.

“I’ve got two losses on my record but that was years ago. I was a kid back then and very inexperienced. Now I’m a more complete fighter, more power, more speed & more boxing IQ.

“I respect Kell Brook, he’s a great fighter and he’s been at a higher level than me for longer, but that’s exactly why he’s looking past me. I’m going to make a lot of people eat their words.

“This is the biggest opportunity of my career, I’m taking it with both hands and I’m definitely going to put on a show in Sheffield. I’m going into this fight with absolutely nothing to lose.”

Brook’s clash with Zerafa tops a huge night of boxing in the Steel City.

Unbeaten Irish star Jono Carroll faces French former European Champion Guillaume Frenois in a final eliminator to become mandatory challenger to IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer.

Rising Welterweight star Josh Kelly steps up in class as he takes on former WBA World Champion David Avanesyan in his ninth professional contest.

Explosive Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler is in title action as he targets a showdown with newly-crowned British Champion Ted Cheeseman in 2019 and IBF no.1 Featherweight contender Kid Galahad stays busy with an eye on the winner of Josh Warrington vs. Carl Frampton.

Sheffield is well represented on the undercard with Welterweight Anthony Tomlinson, Super-Middleweight Callum Hancock and Middleweight Shakiel Thompson all in action, while Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq and Denaby Lightweight Terri Harper also feature.

Tickets for Brook vs. Zerafa priced at £40, £60, £100 and £200 (Inner Ring VIP) are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

Kell Brook says his clash with Michael Zerafa at the FlyDSA Arena on December 8 could be the final time he fights in Sheffield, as he looks to pursue career-defining fights at Welterweight.

The Steel City hero is close to securing a long-awaited British battle with former two-weight king Amir Khan in 2019 and has promised to deliver a ‘blistering performance’ for his hometown fans when he takes on Australia’s Zerafa next week.

Sheffield’s FlyDSA Arena holds happy memories for ‘The Special One’, with successful defences of his IBF World title against Ionut Dan Ion in 2015 and then Kevin Bizier in 2016.

He was last in action in March when he swept away Sergey Rabchenko inside two rounds in Sheffield to claim the WBC Silver Super-Welterweight title and is aiming for a similar performance against former Commonwealth Champion Zerafa.

“This will be an emotional fight for me because I think this will be my last in Sheffield,” said Brook. “We hope that the Khan fight is next and after I’ve knocked him out I want the Spence rematch and it’s likely that will be in the States.

“There’s other huge fights out there for me at Welterweight. Shawn Porter holds the WBC belt and there’s other big names like Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia.

“For now all that’s on my mind is Zerafa – this is the moment and chance of his career but he’s meeting me at a terrible time. I’ve never been so focused and I plan of giving my Sheffield fans a blistering performance on December 8.”

Brook’s clash with Zerafa tops a huge night of boxing in the Steel City.

Unbeaten Irish star Jono Carroll faces French former European Champion Guillaume Frenois in a final eliminator to become mandatory challenger to IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer.

Rising Welterweight star Josh Kelly steps up in class as he takes on former WBA World Champion David Avanesyan in his ninth professional contest.

Explosive Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler is in title action as he targets a showdown with newly-crowned British Champion Ted Cheeseman in 2019 and IBF no.1 Featherweight contender Kid Galahad stays busy with an eye on the winner of Josh Warrington vs. Carl Frampton.

Sheffield is well represented on the undercard with Welterweight Anthony Tomlinson, Super-Middleweight Callum Hancock and Middleweight Shakiel Thompson all in action, while Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq and Denaby Lightweight Terri Harper also feature.

Tickets for Brook vs. Zerafa priced at £40, £60, £100 and £200 (Inner Ring VIP) are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

A proposed fight between former world champions Amir Khan and Kell Brook has hit some contractual roadblocks, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The biggest issue in finalizing a Khan-Brook deal, however, continues to be the weight and the prospect of a rehydration clause.

“The main problem is the weight,” promoter Eddie Hearn told ESPN. “Amir wants it at 147 and wants a 10-pound rehydration clause.”

“Brook says I’ll do it at 147 but if you make me weigh 147 then I’m not weighing in again,” Hearn said. “That’s fair enough. So we’re negotiating at the moment. The fight could take place in March. It could also take place in May. We could do it in Millennium Stadium in Cardiff (Wales). We could do it in the O2 (in London). If we go in May, there are stadiums we could do it in the outdoors.”

“Kell wants the fight real bad and he’s done the 10-pound thing many times for the IBF, but I do agree with him — if he makes the 147-pound limit, that’s it. Amir says that Brook has done the 10-pound thing before, but this isn’t an IBF title fight.”

On social media Monday, Brook made his feelings clear about the rehydration clause for the proposed fight with Khan.

“I’ll be clear for you,” he wrote to Khan regarding their ringside conversation on Saturday. “I said, ‘There’s no title on the line so no need for a rehydration clause.’ You’ve looked me in the eye now & told the world you want it, so let me take care of business (on Dec. 8) & let’s make the fight.”

Former welterweight champion Kell Brook will take on Michael Zerafa on December 8th in Sheffield, England, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Brook is aiming to eventually fight at 147 pounds for a much-anticipated showdown with British rival Amir Khan in 2019, but he needs to take care of business against Zerafa for that fight to be finalized.

“We know that the Khan fight is on the horizon, but this is all part of Kell’s preparation for being razor-sharp and bringing his weight down to 147 pounds. Zerafa aims to spoil the party,” promoter Eddie Hearn said.

“I’m delighted to be back at Sheffield Arena in front of my people,” Brook said. “‘The Special One’ is back, and all of my focus and attention is on getting myself ready to put on a spectacular performance for my loyal fans. I want to close the year in special fashion and set up some blockbuster fights in 2019. I was ringside for Amir Khan’s last fight [on Sept. 8], so let’s see if he’ll be there on Dec. 8, or will he be too shook for Brook?”

“This is the biggest opportunity of Zerafa’s career, and he will be coming over here to take my scalp, but there’s levels in this game, and I need to put him away to get the big fights that I desire,” Brook said. “Meticulous work, dedication, preparation and focus has gone into this camp and I will continue to grind until fight week.”

“I thrive from being the underdog, and I believe that Kell Brook’s team have made the mistake of overlooking me,” Zerafa said. “I’m a completely different fighter to the man that lost to Peter Quillin, and on Dec. 8 I will prove that.

“I’ve already dreamt of beating Kell and replayed the fight over and over in my head. I was born for greatness, and Dec. 8 is the beginning of my rise to the top of the sport. Kell is a true warrior and a great champion, but he’s been in some tough fights and put a lot of miles on the clock. I see a ship with a lot of holes ,and too many holes leads to a sunken ship. On Dec. 8 there will be a huge upset, and I will make a lot of people eat their words.”

With Kell Brook unavailable to fight Brandon Cook this Saturday in London, Cook will now face Sam Eggington on the Dillian Whyte – Joseph Parker card, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Kell Brook will face Brandon Cook in a World Super-Welterweight title eliminator at The O2 in London as part of a stellar undercard for the Heavyweight blockbuster between Dillian Whyte and Joseph Parker on Saturday July 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Brook made his bow at Super-Lightweight with a destructive second round win over Sergey Rabchenko in Sheffield in March – with the Steel City favourite landing the WBC International crown to start his march to two-weight world glory.

‘The Special One’ has been called out by all the big-guns at 154lbs after crashing into the rankings with that win, and will arrow in on a World title crack if he can see off the dangerous Cook. The Canadian – who turns 32 today – will be desperate to hijack Brook’s dreams of landing another World title, and ‘Bad Boy’ Cook, rated number four with the WBO, nine in the WBA and 11 with the IBF, enters the fight on the wave of back-to-back early KO wins.

Irish sensation Katie Taylor is straight back into a big fight after unifying the Lightweight division in Brooklyn in April, wrestling the IBF strap from Victoria Bustos in a thrilling encounter in the Big Apple. Taylor now meets IBF mandatory Kimberly Connor in London with her WBA belt also on the line, and Texan Connor has her second crack at World honours having tackled Argentine Bustos for the vacant strap in March 2017.

Conor Benn and Cedric Peynaud served up one of the fights of the year in 2017 when they clashed at York Hall in December, and the rematch will take place under the dome. Benn looked in serious trouble of tasting defeat for the first time as a pro after hitting the deck twice in the opening session, but the son of British legend Nigel rallied to floor the Frenchman in the fifth and sixth rounds to edge a stunning contest – the return has added spice with a title on the line in Benn’s 13th pro outing.

Rising Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi faces a real step-up on the bill in his seventh pro outing since turning pro at The O2 last July, taking on former British title challenger Ricky Summers in his first ten round contest.

“July 28 is a huge night of boxing with a brilliant 50-50 Heavyweight match up and a stacked card beneath it,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Kell returns to the scene of his epic shootout with GGG to face highly ranked Canadian Brandon Cook in a World title eliminator that will put him in pole position for a shot at all the World champions.

“Irish sensation Katie Taylor returns to The O2 to defend her WBA and IBF World titles against mandatory challenger Kimberley Connor, Conor Benn rematches Cedric Peynaud for his first title after their 2017 fight of the year contender and Joshua Buatsi makes a huge step up to face Birmingham’s Ricky Summers in his first ten round fight. There is still plenty more to be added this week including one major title fight – roll on July 28!”

Tickets are on sale now to O2 Priority members at www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday June 14 at 10am to Matchroom Fight Pass members via www.StubHub.com and the venue and AXS pre-sale before tickets go on general sale at www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday June 15 at 10am from www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202.

Tickets are priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £200. Inner Ringside VIP tickets are priced at £500.

Kell Brook says he’s put the World champions at Super-Welterweight on notice after destroying Sergey Rabchenko inside two rounds to land the WBC Silver strap on his debut at 154lbs at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on Saturday night.

Brook admitted to nerves ahead of his return to the ring for the first time since losing his IBF World Welterweight title to Errol Spence Jr at Bramall Lane in May, but ‘The Special One’ soon got into his groove and stung WBC number five Rabchenko more than once in the opening session.

Sheffield star Brook wasted no time in ending proceedings in the second round where a stiff right hand was swiftly followed by a thudding right upper cut that shook Rabchenko and another jolting right floored the Belarussian who beat the count but was in no position to continue – leading Brook to roar to the crowd “I’m back.”

Social Media was abuzz after Brook slayed the Belarussian and WBC ruler Jermell Charlo has welcomed a possible clash with Brook while Spence tweeted to say he’d welcome a rematch at 154lbs if Brook can land a World title – leaving no doubt that the Super-Welterweight division has another top dog in the mix.

“The desire is there and you could see in my performance that I’m back and I’m putting the guys at the top level on notice,” said Brook.

“I’d fight anyone, I’ve got nothing to prove in that respect as I’ve boxed GGG, Errol Spence Jr and won my IBF title in America. I’d like another test at 154lbs to settle into the weight and get another great performance, and then any belt out there I want it.

“It’s my goal to become a two-weight World champion and I know I can do it. I’m accurate and I can land on anyone’s chin – there’s levels in boxing but if I hit them World champions with those shots, I will find their chins.

“I expected a tough night’s work and 12 hard rounds, and I was ready to do that. But once I got my range with the timing working, it was game over. You don’t get paid for overtime – rounds in the bank would be nice, but I know I could’ve gone on all night as I felt great in there.

“The longer the fight would have gone on the better I would have looked too, I was getting into my groove and my mojo is back. I was living next to the gym for the fight away from my family so I was training, eating and resting, nothing else.

“Walking back out in front of my fans in Sheffield, I was nervous tonight but once I walked out there and heard the fans, I settled right down. I’ll be straight back into the gym, no time off, I’ve got a little trip to Miami booked in but I’ll train when I’m there too. I have to stay in the gym and be ready.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn was emotional in the ring after seeing Brook dazzle and the Matchroom supremo is backing one of his first ever signings to return to the summit in 2018.

“There’s a lot of history for me and Matchroom with Kell and that emotion spilled out after that brilliant win on Saturday,” said Hearn. “He’s one of the first fighters I signed and the GGG and Spence losses plus the injuries have been hard for everyone, and Saturday night was a massive moment for the career of Kell Brook.

“If he’d lost the fight it was all over, if he didn’t look good it was probably all over, if he’d been injured it was probably all over. The way he dispatched Rabchenko with the sharpness and the combinations, it was great. There was a brilliant energy in the Arena and that was all generated because Kell Brook brings excitement every time he boxes.

“I’ve always believed that Kell Brook is one of the biggest talents in world boxing – but I’ve also always believed he was boxing at the wrong weight. Kell always thought he could do 147lbs and in this day and age of social media, he was almost goaded into getting back to 147lbs to defend his title against Spence after fight GGG at 160lbs, people saying he was ducking Spence if he vacated and he wouldn’t do that. Take nothing from Errol Spence, but I believe Kell beats him at 154.

“There’s some World class fighters at 154lbs, the champions are all elite and there’s some brilliant other fighters in the top five, but Kell can beat them all and be the man, Brook is a bigger name than Charlo but he’s the champion, so make us an offer.

“Rabchenko is a World class fighter but he’s not elite level, Kell proved he’s an elite level fighter and we need another step-up in June or July and then we’re ready for the big stuff in the winter.

“I was with Kell in October/November time and he was not in a good place. He was so overweight and he was going out and he didn’t care about boxing. He felt that a lot of the criticism he was getting was harsh but with the people around him and getting back into the gym, he realised that boxing saves him – he needs it in his life.

“When he’s in the gym he’s happy so previously when he’s won he’s just ballooned up and enjoyed himself, now he’s said he’s going straight back in the gym and you’ve seen today that he’s done exactly that – at 31 years of age you enjoy different things, spending time with the family over going out with the lads.

“He wants to feel healthy and spend time with the kids and be a role model in the gym, he’s at the stage in life where he wants to be settled and content and just get everything out of himself.”

Kell Brook is targeting World domination once again and a place in the history books as a two-weight World champion as he takes on Sergey Rabchenko for the WBC Silver Super-Lightweight title at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports.

Brook has moved up from Welterweight to Super-Welterweight following his epic contest with Errol Spence Jr at Bramall Lane for his IBF Welterweight title last summer, and now ‘The Special One’ meets Sergey Rabchenko for the WBC Silver Super-Welterweight title, Brook believes it won’t be long until he has the chance to operate at the elite level he belongs.

“I want to be a two-weight World champion,” said Brook, who scaled 10st 13lbs 7oz – three ounces heavier than Rabchenko. “I’ve never been satisfied winning one World title. Even when I was a teenager, I always wanted to move up the weights and win belts as I grow. I want to win a belt at Super-Welterweight at least, I need to get the win and then we can start targeting the champions at 154lbs.

“I just want to be in the biggest fights that everyone is talking about. I love being in fights that grab the attention of the fans, like the Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr fights did. Proper boxing fans knew that Spence Jr was the next big thing in the States, no one believed that I would fight GGG then come back down to defend against him.

“I love beating the odds and getting in there and performing. The feeling I get from going out there, hearing ‘All of the Lights’ and doing my thing in front of all of the fans, it’s amazing for me, that’s my drug and I can’t wait to get back in there.

“I’ve had six months off so there was no way I was going to box at 147 anyway but I think that 154 is really going to suit me. I’m looking forward to having plenty in the tank at the weight and I’m excited to see how I perform at Super-Welterweight with the extra weight.”

Brook and Rabchenko clash on a huge night of action in the Steel City with the chief support provided by a crunch showdown between world-rated Super-Bantamweights Gamal Yafai and Gavin McDonnell.

David Allen is hunting revenge in his rematch with Commonwealth Heavyweight champion Lenroy Thomas, Rotherham Lightweight rivals Lee Appleyard and Atif Shafiq lock horns while Kid Galahad aims to get into the title mix at Featherweight after a meeting with Irving Berry – Leigh Wood and Rocky Fielding complete the line-up.

Tickets Brook’s clash with Rabchenko are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £250 VIP and are available from the FlyDSA Arena at www.flydsaarena.co.uk and on 0114 2565656. VIP tickets are exclusively available from www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for March 3 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Kell Brook admits his loss to Errol Spence Jr was the lowest point in his career – but he’s back in love with boxing again and ready to take the Super-Welterweight division by storm as he faces Sergey Rabchenko for the WBC Silver Heavyweight title at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

Brook surrendered his IBF Welterweight crown against talented American Spence Jr at Bramall Lane in May, and the Steel City hero found life tough after losing his status as a world ruler.

‘The Special One’ fractured his left eye in the bout to match the same injury to the once Gennady Golovkin inflicted on his right eye in their encounter in September 2016. While doctors gave him the all-clear to fight again, Brook himself doubted if he still had the desire to get in the ring – but after a full camp in the buzzing Ingle Gym, he’s ready to put the defeats behind him and become a force at 154lbs.

“I’m not used losing but I’ve had two in a row,” said Brook. “The first one I jumped up to Middleweight from Welterweight against the most feared man in world boxing in GGG so you can’t really take that as a loss really as it wasn’t my natural weight and it was a risk. Losing to Spence is a different kettle of fish as it was at Welterweight and the other eye got smashed in and I lost my World title.

“That really hurt me badly, it took me a long time to get over that. I know that I’ve got a lot left in me, people are right to question what I’ve got left and how I am going to be after the injuries and the defeats, but I believe I am going to be the same fighter, I’ll be better in fact with the bigger weight which will bring the best out of me, but we can only see Rabchenko. I’m up for the challenge at the new weight though.

“I do regret the Spence fight looking back. I was in Sheffield, we’d sold a load of tickets and we were in a football stadium – but going from Middleweight down to Welterweight was too much and it just drained me. But I was a proud champion and I never duck anyone, Errol is a class act and will dominate at 147lbs – hopefully I can get the rematch at Super-Welterweight though.

“I’m built to box. I’ll be fresher at Super-Welterweight and I won’t be drained like I was at 147lbs. Being IBF champion also meant I was having to weigh-in again the next morning with the ten-pound limit, so it was like I was fighting the scales twice and then fighting my opponent.

“I didn’t want an easy fight back, if I had done, I could’ve fallen out of love with it, cut corners and not reached the heights in training that I need to reach to be the best Kell Brook. Rabchenko is a dangerous guy, he’s no mug and he can really bang. I’ve sparred with him and if you were to go on the sparring, it’s going to be one hell of a fight.

“I’m loving boxing again and things can change, and I still feel that I’ve got big fights left in me before I call it a day. I’d love to win a World title at Super-Welterweight.

“The eye has healed very well. It’s held up in sparring and I don’t think about the eye injuries at all. I wouldn’t be boxing if I wasn’t given the all clear by the doctors, I wouldn’t put my family or myself through that.”

Brook and Rabchenko clash on a huge night of action in the Steel City with the chief support provided by a crunch showdown between world-rated Super-Bantamweights Gamal Yafai and Gavin McDonnell.

David Allen is hunting revenge in his rematch with Commonwealth Heavyweight champion Lenroy Thomas, Rotherham Lightweight rivals Lee Appleyard and Atif Shafiq lock horns while Kid Galahad aims to get into the title mix at Featherweight after a meeting with Irving Berry – Leigh Wood and Rocky Fielding complete the line-up.

Tickets Brook’s clash with Rabchenko are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £250 VIP and are available from the FlyDSA Arena at www.flydsaarena.co.uk and on 0114 2565656. VIP tickets are exclusively available from www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for March 3 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Kell Brook says he feels like he’s fighting for the first time in his career all over again as he moves up to Super-Welterweight to take on Sergey Rabchenko for the WBC Silver title at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Brook is tackling a fight at 154lbs for the first time in his career having left Welterweight behind after three years as the IBF ruler.

‘The Special One’ expects to shine with the extra seven pounds behind him, but admits the nerves ahead of his return to action on Saturday remind him of making his debut in September 2004.

“I’ve got the butterflies and nerves just like it’s my first time getting in there,” said Brook. “I think that I need to feel like that though, those nerves are going to make me sharper because I know that there’s a lot at stake on Saturday.

“I’m loving boxing again and things can change, and I still feel that I’ve got big fights left in me before I call it a day. I’d love to win a title at Super-Welterweight.

“There was a list of fighters in front of us and Rabchenko stood out. He’s a very dangerous fighter and the fans might have let me off fighting someone lesser than him, but I wanted to fight him because I need to come back in a serious fight to stay switched on and not cut corners in the gym.

“You have to be professional but with a lesser opponent I might have enjoyed Christmas a bit more but not with Rabchenko, he’s a real threat. He’s boxed at a high level, been European champion, beaten my mate Ryan Rhodes – Ryan has boxed Canelo so to be stopped by Rabchenko it shows he is a good fighter and this is the right test for me in my first fight at 154lbs.

“Eddie named other fighters but I said no. I know that he’s a handful and he’s tough and clever. He’s calm and thoughtful in a fight, and I need a test like this. I can’t be half-hearted, I need to be fully committed and I will be for Rabchenko.”

Brook and Rabchenko clash on a huge night of action in the Steel City with the chief support provided by a crunch showdown between world-rated Super-Bantamweights Gamal Yafai and Gavin McDonnell.

David Allen is hunting revenge in his rematch with Commonwealth Heavyweight champion Lenroy Thomas, Rotherham Lightweight rivals Lee Appleyard and Atif Shafiq lock horns while Kid Galahad aims to get into the title mix at Featherweight after a meeting with Irving Berry – Leigh Wood and Rocky Fielding complete the line-up.

Tickets Brook’s clash with Rabchenko are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £250 VIP and are available from the FlyDSA Arena at www.flydsaarena.co.uk and on 0114 2565656. VIP tickets are exclusively available from www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for March 3 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Ryan Rhodes knows first-hand the threat that Sergey Rabchenko poses to Kell Brook as they clash for the WBC Silver Super-Welterweight title on Saturday night at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield live on Sky Sports – but expects Brook to shine on his debut at 154lbs.

Sheffield star Rhodes met the Belarussian in June 2012 for the European Super-Welterweight title in Manchester, with Rabchenko stopping Rhodes with a body shot at the end of the seventh round.

Rabchenko now meets Rhodes’ fellow Steel City son Brook in ‘The Special One’s’ first fight at him new weight, and the ‘Spice Boy’ expects his fellow Ingle Gym product to prevail but says Rabchenko is a dangerous customer.

“Rabchenko is a good fighter,” said Rhodes. “He’s strong, got a bit of a dig on him and when he’s on song he’s a handful. He was on a bit of a high when I boxed him, Ricky Hatton was looking after him at the time and was keeping him active.

“Sergey can take a shot as well. I caught him with a big shot in the third round and his legs dipped but credit to him – he rode the storm and ended up recovering to get the win.

“I was 95 years old and in my 293rd fight when I fought Rabchenko, so Kell has nothing to worry about! I was coming to the latter stages of my career. There wasn’t much in the fight, it was back and forth and then he caught me with a sickening body shot.

“One thing Kell will find is that he’s there to be hit. He stands in front of you all the time, he won’t move that much. It might be that Kell takes a shot to give one back.

“I was at a couple of Rabchenko fights before we fought, I knew it was going to happen so studied him up close and personal. The one thing that stood out was his movement. I planned to be as elusive as possible, make sure I’m not there to get hit and counter.

“Kell seems to be hungry again. You can’t worry about these ifs and buts, he looks happy at the minute and confident with that little bit of extra weight. I know how badly Kell struggled at times to make 147lbs. He’s got that extra 7lbs to play with which will be a massive difference.

“Kell could have gone for an easier touch for his first fight at the new weight but it’s a name and decent test. Sergey won the WBC Silver title and has only lost to two decent kids.

“Kell doesn’t want to be in this game for too many more years so there’s no point in taking an easy ride. He won’t learn anything from that at this stage of his career. He’s coming back for a test and hopefully it goes rounds.

“They’ve sparred so Kell will know what he’s like. I’m pretty sure I saw them both spar years ago, Kell had the edge from what I remember. It was a tough spar but Brook had the advantage in every department.

“I think it’ll either be a late stoppage or go the distance. Rabchenko knows Kell’s his golden ticket and might be a little cagey. It’s a massive opportunity for him and catapults him into the mix. If I’m honest, Kell will have too much for him. His speed, accuracy, counter punching should be too much for him.

“There’s some big fights for Kell out there – with or without World titles. The Charlo brothers are great fighters, Liam Williams I think would be a barnstormer and of course Amir Khan. If Khan does go ahead, I just hope Kell stands his ground a little and they can meet at a catchweight. I wouldn’t like to see drain himself anymore and it’s not as if Khan hasn’t gone up in weight. I’m sure Khan would make some serious money like the Canelo fight and it’s a fight the fans still talk about.”

Brook and Rabchenko clash on a huge night of action in the Steel City with the chief support provided by a crunch showdown between world-rated Super-Bantamweights Gamal Yafai and Gavin McDonnell.

David Allen is hunting revenge in his rematch with Commonwealth Heavyweight champion Lenroy Thomas, Rotherham Lightweight rivals Lee Appleyard and Atif Shafiq lock horns while Kid Galahad aims to get into the title mix at Featherweight after a meeting with Irving Berry – Leigh Wood and Rocky Fielding complete the line-up.

Tickets Brook’s clash with Rabchenko are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £250 VIP and are available from the FlyDSA Arena at www.flydsaarena.co.uk and on 0114 2565656. VIP tickets are exclusively available from www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for March 3 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Gamal Yafai will defend his WBC International Super-Bantamweight title in a must-win clash at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on March 3, live on Sky Sports.

The duo are gunning for major honours in 2018 and their Steel City showdown takes the winner straight to the top table in the 122lbs division.

Unbeaten Yafai made his first move in the World rankings in May when he claimed the title he defends, stopping Sean Davis on his Birmingham home patch. ‘The Beast’ will taste six-round action in January before heading to Sheffield, and believes he’s ready to roll the dice and mix it with McDonnell to prove his credentials for major honours.

“The path is laid out now,” said Yafai. “I’ve been waiting for something like this to get stuck into. I got the win at York Hall recently but fighting in January and then straight into the McDonnell fight gives me some momentum. It’s been a bit stop and start for me, but it’s a New Year and I can’t wait for it.

“I know I’m good enough for the big nights and this is certainly a big fight. I believe I’m good enough to beat the likes of Gavin. It’s experience against youth, but I bring something different to the table than what he’s seen.

“Gavin is a good fighter. He’s fringe World Level, he just fell short against Vargas. I’d like to think I’m slightly above prospect level now so, if I get the win it catapults me up a level or two. He’s still got a good World ranking which I can take – this is possibly his last shot to get back up to World level.

“We were looking at the British title but this opportunity has cropped up. It’s something we couldn’t turn down. We’re not going into this fight to just get a bit of money or whatever, I’m very confident. If you think you can win, why not take it? It doesn’t matter where you are in your career.

“I remember watching Gavin coming through, I made my pro debut on a Leeds card in which he was fighting higher up the card. I think I’m good enough to beat him.

“He’s a nice guy, we’ve sparred and I get on with his brother but at the end of the day boxing is a business. We’ll go in there, have the fight and then shake hands after.

“It’s going to be a good fight. He’s tough and will come forward non-stop and I’ll be there ready to mix it with him. This is what we’re in boxing for, to get the fans excited and to progress and step up in class.”

McDonnell faced Rey Vargas for the WBC World title in Hull in February, losing out to the classy Mexican via majority decision, but the Doncaster man took plenty from his first performance at World level – and is determined to get another crack at a big belt next year.

“I’ve learnt so much in and out of the ring in the past year,” said McDonnell. “I feel like I’m a much better fighter now and the loss has bought me along – It’s given me a taste of the big time and I want more.

“These domestic dust-ups are the type of fights which gets the bit between your teeth. It’s a massive fight compared to my last fight which has got my juices flowing. These are the fights that I want. All going well, I’ll get the win and look to maybe have a World Title eliminator before getting into contention at the back of the summer – I want another World title shot in 2018.

“Gamal’s a good fighter – I have respect for him and his Brothers but I genuinely believe I’m going to do a number on him but he’ll think the same. I’m going to make the most of these big fights now because by the time it comes around it’ll have been a year since my last real big one. He’s got a lot more to gain than me, it’ll be a competitive fight. We sparred over a year ago, they were good spars – I’m not going into it but if that’s anything to go by it’ll make for a fan friendly fight.

“I said to the team, whoever gets me next has got me at the wrong time. I am not losing again, I can’t lose again. I’m still feeling young and fresh to the game but now I have the experience and drive.

“That World title defeat, I couldn’t have done much more. I had a great camp, I got beat by the better man and there’s no shame in losing to Vargas, he’s gone on to show how good he is. If I can get a big win here, it sets me up for a massive year. I know how this boxing game works, it will snowball.

“I put a tweet out the other day about fighting Gamal and the reaction was great. I’m not one for putting it out there but I wanted to get this fight nailed down before Christmas. I didn’t want to be going into this period with just a talk of a fight, although I’m disciplined I might have just slipped slightly. Now it’s done I’m going to be on it, I’m focused already and I hope Dave Coldwell is going to throw me into sparring straight away – I’ve raring to go.”

McDonnell and Yafai clash on the undercard of Sheffield hero Kell Brook’s debut at Super-Welterweight, where he faces former European champion and WBC number seven Sergey Rabchenko.

Tickets for Brook’s clash with Rabchenko are on sale now priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 from the FlyDSA Arena at www.flydsaarena.co.uk and on 0114 2565656. VIP tickets priced at £250 are exclusively available from www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for March 3 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Kell Brook will face Sergey Rabchenko on his debut at Super-Welterweight at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on March 3, live on Sky Sports.

Brook is gunning to become a two-weight World champion and that journey starts in his seventh outing in his hometown arena, and marks a return to action following his IBF World Welterweight showdown with Errol Spence at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane ground in May, hot on the heels of his showdown with Middleweight beast Gennady Golovkin

‘The Special One’ is wasting no time in testing himself at his new weight by taking on Rabchenko. The Belarussian is ranked number seven in the WBC and won the European title by stopping Brook’s fellow Ingle Gym product and Steel City son Ryan Rhodes, so Brook knows that the stakes are once again high as he looks to make a statement at 154lbs.

“I can’t wait to get back in there and it’s going to be special returning to the arena,” said Brook. “The Spence defeat cut deep and it took me some time to come to terms with it but now I’m back with a new challenge at 154lbs. I believe I will be stronger and better than ever in the division and my focus now is on becoming a two-weight two-time World champion.

“Rabchenko is a dangerous fight for the return but I want to jump straight back in at World level and I think out styles will gel for an electric fight. I’m already deep in camp and I can’t wait to feel the atmosphere again in my home town on March 3.”

“I’m really looking forward to this fight with Kell Brook and it’s going to be a war,” said Rabchenko. “I have fond memories of Sheffield and I believe the result will be the same. This is a high profile fight in the division that has always been mine, and the winner will go on and challenge for the World title – it’s a must win fight for both of us.”

“I’m so pleased to see Kell back in camp and moving up for a fresh start at 154lbs,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “He refused to vacate the title for Spence but was could never fight at his full potential making 147lbs anymore. This is a tough, tough test, probably tougher than I would have liked but Kell wanted to be straight back in at top level.

“The Spence loss hurt him badly especially being at Bramall Lane but we are going to get this Arena jumping for his return – Kell is one of the top fighters in world boxing and you will see a new animal on March 3 at the FlyDSA Arena.”

Tickets for Brook’s clash with Rabchenko are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £250 VIP. Tickets go on sale at 9am tomorrow (Tuesday December 12) to Matchroom Fight Pass members from www.stubhub.co.uk and on general sale from 9am on Wednesday December 13 from the FlyDSA Arena at www.flydsaarena.co.uk and on 0114 2565656. VIP tickets are exclusively available from www.matchroomboxing.com

Former Welterweight World Champion Kell Brook has joined Billy Joe Saunders in his Fuerteventura training camp to face Willie Monroe Jr on September 16th.

Brook is also trained by Dominic Ingle, who recently teamed up with Saunders as he prepares for the second defence of his WBO World Middleweight Title.

The Hatfield southpaw hopes to face the winner of Canelo Alvarez v Gennady Golovkin, who square off in Las Vegas just a few hours after Saunders’ bout at the Copper Box Arena.

In September 2016, Brook stepped up in weight to take on ‘Triple G’, but Ingle threw in the towel in the fifth round after Brook sustained heavy damage to his right eye.

Should Saunders meet Golovkin soon, then perhaps he will ask his Sheffield gym mate for a few words of advice.

Saunders is in tremendous physical shape for his fight with Monroe Jr, and has praised his new coach for the training methods at the Ingle Gym.

“Dom reminds me in a way of my first trainer Jimmy Tibbs,” said Saunders. “He will take no nonsense at all, he doesn’t care who you are – whether you are a superstar or a fly on the wall in the gym.

“He treats everyone the same, but training is training and work is work. That is the way he looks at it and that is what I need.

“Myself and Dom have got a good natural respect for each other. In this game it is very hard to find someone you fully trust, but I absolutely trust him and give him everything I’ve got in the boxing side of it – every bit of trust I’ve got.

“I have put my career into his hands and it is working for me so far.”

Elsewhere on an action-packed card Ilford Light-Heavy powerhouse Anthony Yarde fights for the Vacant WBO Inter-Continental Title; teenage Heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois takes on AJ Carter for the Vacant Southern Area strap in only his fifth contest; knockout artist Joe Pigford fights for the Vacant WBO European Super-Welterweight title.

Some of the very best up-and-coming prospects in the country including Welling Super-Featherweight Archie Sharp; Ilford Super-Bantamweight Lucien Reid; Fulham Super-Middleweight Zak Chelli, New Malden Super-Middleweight Lerrone Richards and Erith Flyweight Jake Pettit feature. Ilford Welterweight Hamza Sheeraz; Tamworth Light-Heavyweight Ryan Hatton and Ilford Super-Middleweight Umar Sadiq all make their highly-anticipated pro debuts.

Tickets for Saunders vs. Monroe Jr priced at £40, £50, £70, £100, £150, £200 and £250 (VIP/Hospitality) are available from:

Kell Brook has vowed to return to the ring by the end of the year after a successful operation on his fractured right eye socket.

Brook sustained the injury in his clash with Errol Spence at Bramall Lane in Sheffield in May where he lost his IBF Welterweight crown to the American in front of a huge crowd at the home of Sheffield United FC.

The Special One was hampered by the eye in the closing stages of the high class contest which ended in an 11th round stoppage win for the unbeaten challenger.

Brook had surgery on the injury on Friday (June 16), which was a carbon copy of the left-eye socket fracture he suffered in his lash with Kazakh ace Gennady Golovkin, and the Sheffield ace is making fine progress in his recovery and has targeted a return to the ring this winter.

“I spoke to the surgeon and he said that the operation was a big success and simpler than the last one,” said Brook. “It took half the time of the first one and there’s very little swelling and it looks great. The last scan I had revealed that the healing has started really well and the bone already looks strong so I expect to make a full recovery and I want to fight again in 2017.

“I was bitterly disappointed by the loss at Bramall Lane. Losing my belt was gutting but I’m glad I accepted to fight Spence and help be part of an event that Sheffield will remember and be proud of.

“I still feel that I have a massive future in the sport. I will talk to my team in the coming weeks about what we can do next and I am looking to get back into camp this summer.”

Former welterweight champion Kell Brook is scheduled to have surgery on his left orbital bone, following the bone bring broke in his May 27 loss to Errol Spence, Jr., according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Brook told ESPN on Wednesday that he will have surgery to repair the injury on June 16.

“That’s all I’m saying for now,” Brook said. “I’m having a rest for a while.”

“I got caught on the left eye in the seventh, and it felt really bad,” Brook said after the Spence fight. “It was the one the worst feelings I ever had — kind of like when GGG hit me and fractured my orbital bone. It was devastating. I just couldn’t see.

“It was a competitive fight. He got some rounds. I won some rounds, too. I felt I was winning, but my eye didn’t allow me to continue. I just couldn’t see. You can’t fight if you can’t see. I got put down, and I got up because I’m a warrior. I got up and kept on fighting, but in the 11th, I just couldn’t see. I had to take the knee.”

Spence (22-0, 19 KOs), a 27-year-old southpaw, could make his first title defense in September to headline a Premier Boxing Champions card on Fox in Dallas, just 22 miles from his hometown of DeSoto, Texas.

“Hopefully I can have a homecoming in Dallas, maybe in September sometime,” Spence told reporters at a recent lunch in New York. “I’ve got to talk to my manager [Al Haymon]. Fighting at home in front of my fans, family and friends, that’s a dream come true, especially me having the title and bringing it back to Dallas, which hasn’t happened in a long time. That would mean a lot to me. That would be a dream of mine, too. Hopefully I can make that happen.”

LAS VEGAS (May 31, 2017) – Errol Spence, Jr. brought an exhilarating conclusion to the month of May with a resounding 11th round knockout victory over Kell Brook to win a 147-pound world championship on Brook’s home turf of Sheffield, England. Spence’s exciting victory was presented live by Premier Boxing Champions on SHOWTIME this past Saturday night.

“Errol Spence, Jr. scored one of the most impressive knockout victories in boxing this year to win a world championship. There is no better way for Premier Boxing Champions to spring board into June,” said Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications for Haymon Boxing. “From top to bottom the schedule of shows in June is loaded with exciting matches featuring a pair of world championship bouts in two of the hottest divisions in boxing, boxers on the comeback trail and young prospects and contenders climbing the ladder to a championship.”

Kicking off June will be a highly charged rematch between 175-pound champion Adonis Stevenson and Andrzej Fonfara at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada in Premier Boxing Champions action on SHOWTIME on June 3. Stevenson, one of the hardest punchers in boxing, won the first match by decision after 12 exciting rounds. Jean Pascal will take on Eleider Alvarez in the co-feature. Televised start time is set for 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

In a special Sunday night edition of PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes, Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios returns to the ring after an 18-month layoff to take on Mexican brawler Aaron Herrera in a 10-round welterweight match at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, California on June 11. Televised coverage begins on FS1 and FOX Deportes at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT after the Mexico vs. USA World Cup qualifier on FS1 and will feature unbeaten Mario Barrios in a 10-round super lightweight contest against Mexico’s Jose Luis Rodriguez and undefeated prospect Jose Miguel Borrego squaring-off against once-beaten Kevin Watts in an eight round super lightweight bout.

Eddie Ramirez will be featured in a 10-round junior welterweight match on the PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes “TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS” as he takes on Erik Bone from Sam’s Town in Las Vegas on June 20. Also in action is tough veteran Lionell Thompson who will try to derail promising prospect Earl Newman in a 10-round light heavyweight match.

Unbeaten Miguel Cruz and once-beaten Alex Martin will meet in a 10-round welterweight rematch on Tuesday, June 27 in the main event of PBC TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportesfrom Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa. In the first match in January, Cruz walked away with a split decision victory. Martin will be looking to even the score. In the co-feature Jamal James and Samuel Figueroa square off in welterweight showdown. Televised start time is 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

The month will come to a thrilling conclusion when unbeaten lightweight world champion Robert Easter, Jr. defends his title in his hometown against mandatory challenger Denis Shafikov in the main event of PBC on Bounce live from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio on Friday, June 30. Julian Williams will take on Joshua Conley in a 154-pound battle in the co-feature with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Easter successfully defended his title in the same venue in February by knocking down Luis Cruz three times on the way to a unanimous decision.

By Jimmy Tobin-

American welterweight Errol “The Truth” Spence beat England’s Kell “Special K” Brook into submission before 27,000 or so of Brook’s supporters at Bramall Lane Football Ground in Sheffield, Saturday. In the eleventh round, Brook, feeling himself sufficiently mauled, escaped Spence via the only avenue remaining and kneeled before what looks more and more like the next man to rule the welterweight division.

For no welterweight has the futurity of Spence. Manny Pacquiao remains the greatest 147-pound fighter, easily its most distinguished. Futurity for Pacquiao, however, is almost entirely restricted to his opponents, who do little in defeat to further establish the Filipino’s greatness, but in victory would define their careers. Nor have Top Rank or Pacquiao shown much interest in ratifying the future, even with Terence Crawford ready to become it. And while Keith Thurman, undefeated, with two belts about his waist, is more accomplished than Spence, his ceiling feels lower, a byproduct of facing better opposition perhaps, but also of how he’s fared against it. It is likely that all in the division would be underdogs against Spence, and that he would prove why if granted the opportunity.

Spence was the favorite against Brook too, despite Brook’s credentials and considerable home-canvas advantage. That the fight bore those odds out provided some an opportunity to gripe that Brook, bursting at his welterweight seams, had been undone by the scale; or that he suffered residuals from his ill-fated cash-grab against Gennady Golovkin last September, a fight where Brook’s flashes of success continue to overshadow the substantial punishment he took. Perhaps Brook indeed entered the ring Saturday a ghost of the version that went undefeated in his first 34 fights. But what joylessness there is in such excuses. And how little proof. Better to let Spence have his moment, one that showed ambition and ability, that validated the expectations and intrigue surrounding him. Revisionist history awaits all fighters, but who can be so cynical as to already start tearing down Spence?

Especially considering the quality of his win Saturday. Spence went overseas and won a title by knocking out the defending champion on his home turf in a test that was more fight than formality. Brook had faced grotesque pressure before, using strength, nerve, timing to hold his ground and turn back a raging Shawn Porter. But against Spence, who scrambled Brook’s timing with his jab and who hits with a force and accuracy that Porter cannot match, the Sheffield fighter was quickly drawn into the wrong kind of fight. When it was clear that countering would only leave him pulped (a realization he had before all those malignant knuckles to the gut depleted him) Brook brought the fight to Spence with some success. In doing so he improved his prospects for victory and knockout loss alike, though the longer he employed that strategy the more only one of those outcomes loomed.

It was in Brook’s defiant moments that Spence flashed rare emotion, curling a wry smile at the ends of exchanges, enjoying what he gleaned from Brook’s body. It was here too that Spence quieted the whispers about his chin, taking well a number of stern punches. In a moment reminiscent of Anthony Joshua’s coming of age against Wladimir Klitschko last month, Spence dropped Brook with a barrage in the tenth only to find himself hurt and pursued soon thereafter. But Spence survived, a testament to his toughness and to the dividends of his unrelenting body attack. A note on Spence’s body punching: his left to the body is telegraphed a bit, and yet he throws it with such conviction that it need land only a few times before opponents abandon any notion of countering it, and concern themselves instead with bracing for its impact. It is then, a punch that not only whittles men away, but controls them.

If the ending was anticlimactic that is on Brook, who needed to last but five minutes more, who was defending his title before his people, and who pawed at his damaged eye but suffered no punches in the seconds leading up to his capitulation. This is not a suggest Brook needed to fight on, the decision to continue or not was rightly his to make. There are examples aplenty of fighters risking more under similar circumstances, though, and the reverence they enjoy Brook is not welcome to. Still, there is something satisfying about such stoppages too, where the specter of what the other man might do forces a fighter into the realm of taboo and the fallout that follows.

While he proved much against Brook, whether Spence revealed anything new—beyond a decent chin—depends mostly on how you apprised him and Brook heading into the fight. He is hardly flawless, and that which troubles an earnest pressure fighter will trouble Spence. But like his power, his disposition, his ambition, any weakness in Spence’s game is welcome: it makes him intriguing in a way the last American welterweight to lay claim to the division was not. Like Terence Crawford, Spence is the type of fighter American boxing has been waiting for, except the latter has a more compelling pool of opponents (and Crawford should be encouraged to join those ranks).

The man who guides Spence’s career, long been maligned for squandering resources, may no longer be in the financial position to cradle such an asset. Which means Spence could soon be embarking on the type of run that leaves the last American fighter to lay claim to the division dying for attention.

Following the tragic events on Monday night in Manchester, organisers are doing everything possible to ensure Saturday’s world championship boxing event at Bramall Lane is a safe and enjoyable spectacular for all.

Sheffield’s Kell Brook defends his IBF World Welterweight title against American Errol Spence Jr. on a huge night of action in the Steel City, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Sheffield United Football Club, Matchroom Boxing, the British Boxing Board of Control and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely in organising the event. Stringent security measures were already in place before this week’s Manchester attack but further measures have now been put in place to ensure all visitors enjoy a safe and enjoyable trip to Bramall Lane.

United’s Operations Director, Dave McCarthy, says: “Many people have worked tremendously hard to ensure Kell’s dream of boxing at Bramall Lane comes true and we are delighted to welcome him, Matchroom and the boxing fraternity to S2.

“However, in light of recent events, it is of paramount importance that the thousands of visitors to Bramall Lane enjoy Saturday in the knowledge that the organisers have worked together very closely to make this a safe event for all. We ask visitors to be patient, understanding and vigilant to enable security personnel to do their jobs effectively.”

“I want to thank Sheffield United and South Yorkshire Police for all their help this week to enhance the safety of fans ahead of Saturday night,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “This is a major event for the city and the sport and I’m pleased we have put the important in provisions in place to move forward together.”

Assistant Chief Constable David Hartley, who will be overseeing the police operation of the boxing match, added: “We have been working closely with organisers at Matchroom Boxing and Bramall Lane throughout the planning of the event to review and ensure the appropriate security measures are in place on Saturday night.

“I would ask that you please arrive in plenty of time as specialist trained officers and security staff will be patrolling the stadium and searching everyone attending the event. Please also allow for extra time when travelling to the venue and use the dedicated taxi drop-off and collection point in the Decathlon car park on Eyre Street, as roads around the stadium will be closed to traffic.

“You can also expect to see high visibility and armed officers patrolling at the event and in surrounding areas. This is as a precautionary measure to offer reassurance to the community following the recent attack in Manchester and not in relation to a specific threat.

“This is a big event for Sheffield and we are looking forward to welcoming supporters and fans to our city.

“For updates and information about the event, follow our social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.”

Simon Roberts, of Security Alert UK, who heads up Matchroom’s security operation, comments: “Everything that we’ve requested from Eddie Hearn and Matchroom has been granted. We’ve got double the staff that we’ve ever had before. This will be a bigger operation with more staff than what we had at Joshua vs. Klitschko at Wembley.

“Supporters, as always, are encouraged to arrive early, give us plenty of time and if anyone sees anything suspicious then don’t delay, please let security know immediately.”

Amongst the security measures in place for Saturday’s event are:
* Extended stewarding operation in place
* Everyone who enters the stadium will be searched
* No re-entry policy enforced after admittance to the event
* Road closures in place around Bramall Lane
* No bags of any sort, including handbags, will be permitted
* Explosive detection dogs will be around the stadium

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Live At 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT

Kell Brook vs. Errol Spence Jr. – IBF Welterweight World Championship

Kell Brook – 146 ½ pounds

Errol Spence Jr. – 146 ¼ pounds

Live at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT exclusively in the U.S. on the SHOWTIME Sports Facebook page and the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel.

George Groves vs. Fedor Chudinov – vacant WBA Super Middleweight World Championship

George Groves – 167 ¼

Fedor Chudinov – 167

SHEFFIELD (May 25) – IBF Welterweight World Champion Kell Brook and No. 1-ranked contender, Errol Spence Jr. went face-to-face for the first time in months today/Thursday at the final press conference before they square-off on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING this Saturday, May 27 from Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England, live on SHOWTIME (5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT).

Brook (36-1, 25 KOs), will make his fourth title defense fulfilling his dream of fighting in front of his hometown crowd at the 162-year-old Bramall Lane against mandatory challenger Spence, (21-0, 18 KOs), who will look to become the first American to dethrone an Englishman on British soil in nearly a decade

Also in attendance at Thursday’s press conference and competing in action on Saturday for the vacant WBA Super Middleweight World Title, were George Groves and Fedor Chudinov, as well as Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport, and Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports.

Live coverage of Groves vs. Chudinov will be provided by Sky Sports Box Office with sportscasters Adam Smith and Carl Froch and will begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT exclusively in the U.S. on the SHOWTIME Sports Facebook page and the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel. Fans can follow all SHOWTIME Sports social accounts (@SHOsports) on Saturday afternoon for the precise start time to Groves vs. Chudinov following undercard action from Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield, England. These platforms will be geo-blocked for U.S. only.

Below is what the principals had to say at Thursday’s final press conference.

KELL BROOK, IBF WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
“I’m just going to do what I do best, just turn up. I know Errol Spence is one hell of a contender. I respect him. But I’m fighting at home in front of my people. I’m going to draw energy from everyone who is watching the fight here and give him his first defeat.

“There is a lot on the line. I’ve made sure I’ve covered every angle at this point.

“I’ve got faith in me, in my team. My nutrition is great. My team wanted me to move up [in weight] but I’m a stubborn guy and the fight. There was no way I was not going to take it. It’s my title. I’m going to defend it. It took me my whole career to take the title. I’m passionate about it, this belt belongs with me.

“This is boxing. I love a challenge, that’s why I’m fighting the best in the division. I’ve proven these guys wrong before and I’m going do it again.

“[Spence] is an excellent peer and a very good fighter. It’s just going to be another day in the office for me.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of drama in the fight; we will both maybe hit the canvas. The fans are in for a fantastic night.”

ERROL SPENCE JR., No. 1-RANKED MANDATORY CHALLENGER
“[Brook] said there will be drama and I say, definitely. There will be drama in the fight.

“I’m not concerned about his home advantage. I love all boxing fans, and they don’t know yet, but at the end of the night they are going to be rooting for me. They’ll be my fans.

“I get motivated from everybody who wants to see me do great. I can’t wait for Saturday night to prove I’m the best welterweight in the world. I am the top dog in this division. I’m the one to watch for.

“I have the skills, I have the ability to beat Kell Brook.

“This is a lifelong dream of mine, something I have been dreaming about as a little kid. I’ve given my blood, sweat and tears to get here. This is my time and I will be a world champion Saturday night. I wouldn’t have come here if I had any doubts.”

GEORGE GROVES. FORMER WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER
“I have prepared the best I possibly can. [Chudinov] is competing at the highest level and he’s relatively experienced against decent fighters, but I’m ready for everything. I have a few things up my sleeve. I’m in a really good place and I’m going to make that count.

“Some say his experience is one of his keys to defeat me. I don’t think so. I’m better than he is. I’m a better fighter than I was in my previous world title defense. You never know much about experience, you think you’ve got it but you never know. Hindsight is a powerful thing. I’ve learned a lot from my previous defeats.

“The pressure is on. I know that it is a long hard road back after a loss. I’ve been in the fight. It’s been a long time coming.

“I’m very excited; I’m hoping it’s a bit cooler by then, you know it’s pretty hot right now. I’ve fought in Sheffield before as an amateur and been very successful.”

FEDOR CHUDINOV, FORMER SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
“I’m an experienced fighter. I have seen one or two things in the ring. I’ve fought very good boxers in the past and I have been a world champion. I’m not intimidated by Groves. I’m confident of my skills.

“I have a very unique style. I’m from the Eastern European School of boxing. We don’t give up. We move forward. We are aggressive. Groves is underestimating me and that’s an advantage.”

DOMINIC INGLE, BROOK’S TRAINER
“Kell Brook has talked about fighting here in front of his hometown crowd for a long time. He has talked about this being his dream to fight here at Bramall Lane. One man’s dream is another man’s nightmare and Saturday night it will be Errol Spence’s nightmare.

“If Errol Spence is trained by his trainer and fights anything like his trainer talks, it’s going to be a knockout by Kell Brook because his trainer can’t fight and can’t trash talk either.”

DERRICK JAMES, SPENCE JR.’S TRAINER
“I believe in my guy, I believe in myself, I believe in his confidence. This is boxing, this is a challenge. Boxing is the only sport that is settled with a fight and everything everyone is talking about doesn’t matter. There isn’t much you can say and there isn’t much that we want to say.

“Kell Brook is the guy that brings out the best fighter in Errol Spence. This great guy is going to bring out greatness in Errol.

“It doesn’t matter who you’ve fought to this point. Who did Leon Spinks fight before he beat Muhammad Ali? Nobody. ”

EDDIE HEARN, MANAGER DIRECTOR OF MATCHROOM SPORT
“We have a huge night ahead on Saturday. I think at this time everyone involved with the event and in the room would like to send their condolences to the families and [to] everyone affected by the tragedy in Manchester earlier this week. And of course our special thanks as well to South Yorkshire police for acting with us diligently throughout the week to ensure the safety of the fans Saturday night. Important, I believe for the whole country that major events go ahead without disruption.

“I would like to congratulate both teams for taking this fight. It’s been widely documented that Errol Spence is a very tough, mandatory challenger for Kell Brook. It was never an option for Kell Brook to vacate this title. Well done to Errol Spence for coming over and taking the challenge to fight in the U.K.

“Both guys want this fight. They weren’t pushed in to it. They wanted it and they got it.

“This fight is one that really lit up the world of boxing, across social media, with the worldwide media. I think this is ‘the’ fight of 2017—a clash between the No. 1 and No. 2 world welterweights in boxing.

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, EXECUTIVE VP & GENERAL MANAGER, SHOWTIME SPORTS
“This is SHOWTIME’s third trip to the U.K. in the last 5 weeks, and we love it. This is a big fight for the U.S. market. It is getting a tremendous amount of attention.

“Brook vs. Spence is a fight that pits two of the best, if not the best fighters in the welterweight division. We will look back and realize this welterweight division is one of the deepest in history and they are fighting each other.”

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SHEFFIELD (May 24) – Kell Brook will make his fourth IBF Welterweight World Title defense against U.S. star Errol Spence Jr. at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England this Saturday May 27, live on SHOWTIME (5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT).

Brook (36-1, 25 KOs) and mandatory challenger Spence, (21-0, 18 KOs), clash on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING in one of the biggest fights in the 147-pound division, and the elite pairing are promising to deliver an electric night of action.

Both fighters participated in a public media workout today, Wednesday, at Peace Gardens in Sheffield, England. Below is what they had to say:

KELL BROOK
“We are going to rock Sheffield on Saturday night. I’m ready, I’m pumped, I can’t wait.

“There is a lot of pressure but I always perform better under pressure. I’m meant to be on the big stage, I’m ready for the pressure and to see the bright lights.

“[Errol Spence] is a serious dude from America, he’s a young hungry lion, but he’s not beaten anyone like me. I’m a champion and I’ve been a champion. I’m defending. I know both sides of the coin, I’ve prepared very well.

“I’m ready for a war. And that’s what you’re going to see – a war Saturday night. There are going to be two winners Saturday night: that is going to be myself and everyone watching.

“There’s no way he can beat me. I’m a man possessed and I have a serious job to do. This is my night to shine.

“I love it [being the underdog]. I was born for it. People don’t have me winning this fight, but that just gives me the extra energy I need to go out and prove them all wrong.

“This guy is a talented guy, but he’s never been tested. He’s never been in with someone who is so determined like me. Who’s bigger, stronger, who has all this energy, who’s meant for this game, who’s meant to be a winner. He hasn’t been in with someone with that mindset, and that’s what I’m coming to bring on Saturday.

“All the hard work has been done. The talking will stop; we’re ready to let some fireworks fly now.

“I can see us both maybe hitting the canvas. You’re going to be on the edge of your seat from round one. He’s not going to take a backwards step, and I’m not [either]. All I can say is it’s going to be a thriller.

“I’ve arrived. It’s a dream come true. It’s going to be so perfect for me that night to walk out and just see everyone. The electricity is going to be phenomenal.”

ERROL SPENCE JR.

“This is my time, this is my era. This is my time to shine. This is my time to get the belts, this is my time to unify and become the undisputed welterweight champion of the world. This is just another stepping stone to get to where I want to be.

“I’m 100 percent prepared, I’m 100 percent focused, and I’m 100 percent ready to give the fans what they want, which is a real great fight.

“I can’t let the fans get to me. I’m not worried about him having his hometown fans. Eventually everyone will be my fans by the end of the night.

“I don’t feel the pressure at all. I feel like there is more pressure on him because he’s fighting at home. Of course there’s pressure on me to win, but I welcome that pressure. It’s going to do nothing but motivate me, make me more hungry and make we want to win even more.

“You just have to have that ‘it’ factor, and I think I have it. I’m not worried about the crowd, I’m not worried about the boos or anything like that.

“It’s a good step-up. Kell Brook is a good fighter, he has great skills. I welcome this step-up – I’ve been asking for it for a long time and I’m finally getting my opportunity.

“My confidence comes from my hard work. I know the hours and time that I put in the gym.”

“This is an ideal situation. I would be disappointed if I was fighting someone else because he vacated. I’m a real fighter, I want to fight the best, I want to fight the champion and earn it the right way. I can’t wait to prove I am one of the best fighters in the welterweight division.

“I’ve been on the USA team for a long time. As an amateur, representing U.S. in the Olympics and as a pro having this USA patch on me and fighting for my country. I feel Saturday is kind of like a USA vs UK battle. And U.S.A. is going to win.”

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