Kell Brook

On 24 May, promoter Hearn confirmed Brook would return to the ring in July 2018. At the time, no specific date or venue was stated. It was also said that Brook would look to challenge for a world title after the bout in July, likely to be WBA/IBF champion Jarrett Hurd. Hearn made it know that he was interested in the Hurd fight. 28 July was the date set for Brook's return date. On 13 June, it was announced that Brook would appear on the undercard of Whyte vs. Parker at The O2 Arena against Canadian boxer Brandon Cook in a title eliminator. During the early days on July, there was rumours stating Brook had suffered an injury and would withdraw from the bout. On 14 July, Cook confirmed that the bout had been cancelled pending an official announcement from Hearn. It appeared Brook had injured his ankle and would out of action until November 2018. On 19 July, Sam Eggington replaced Brook, keeping Cook on the card. Eggington suffered a cut in training a few days later and also withdrew from the bout. Hearn offered Cook a monetary compensation.

In early October 2018, it was reported that Brook and Khan had made some progress in their ongoing negotiations. With Brook stating that 147 pounds would not be an issue, Khan demanded they include a 10-pound rehydration limit, which meant neither boxer could weigh over 157 pounds on the morning of the fight. Brook rejected the idea and insisted they fight at catchweight. On 19 October, according to The Sheffield Star, Brook had split with longtime trainer Dom Ingle. The same reports stated Brook would train with longtime friend John Fewkes. Ingle denied rumours that he and Brook had a falling out. Fewkes stated it was the first he had heard of the news. On 27 October, Brook told Sky Sports that he would be returning to the ring at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on 8 December 2018. Although an opponent was not named, it was speculated it would be Australian boxer Michael Zerafa, as Zerafa later spoke out confirming he would cause on upset and then challenge Khan himself. On 29 October, Brook denied he had split with Ingle, however confirmed that because Ingle was in Canada, training other fighters, he would keep his camp in Fuerteventura therefore Ingle would not be in his corner for the fight. On 5 November, Zerafa (25-2, 14 KOs) was confirmed as Brook's opponent. Showing that he could easily make the 147 limit, Brook weighed in 150 pounds, compared to Zerafa, who weighed 153 pounds. It was said the bout would be a final eliminator for Jarrett Hurd's WBA title.

In January 2017, Brook and his team were in talks with Amir Khan over a potential grudge fight, whilst also keeping the mandatory fight with Spence as second choice. During negotiations, Khan urged Brook to fight Errol Spence Jr. first and eventually talks broke down between Brook and Khan. Eddie Hearn mentioned talks were already ongoing with Spence's manager Al Haymon for a fight to take place possibly in the UK in May. Hearn received an extension from the IBF for negotiations between himself and TGB Promotions boss Tom Brown, as they were progressing. The purse bids for the fight was set for 7 February by the IBF. On 1 February, Hearn claimed that Brook will be keeping his title and make the defense against Spence and that he had reached out to Spence's team, to no reply. He assumed that they wanted the fight to go to purse bids. Spence said that he had no problem travelling to the UK for the fight, regardless of negotiations. With a deal close to being reached a day before the purse bids, the IBF granted a week extension, pushing the purse bid back 7 days. On 13 February a deal was reached for the fight to take place in Sheffield on 20 May 2017. At a press conference at Bramall Lane, Sheffield on 22 March, the fight was officially announced to take place on 27 May 2017 live on Sky Box Office in the UK and Showtime in the US.

On 30 May 2017, Brook admitted he may have to move up to light-middleweight. Brook had successful surgery on his eye in June 2017 and said that he would start training again in the summer looking to make a ring return in late 2017. On 21 November, promoter Eddie Hearn announced that Brook would be moving up to light-middleweight in hopes to becoming a two-weight world champion. In an interview, Brook stated that he would return at light middleweight for the sake of his health, however could still return to welterweight afterwards.

Eddie Hearn, on 11 December 2017, announced that Brook would return to Sheffield at the FlyDSA Arena on 3 March 2018 against former European champion Sergey Rabchenko (29-2, 22 KOs) on Sky Sports. Rabchenko is known for fighting in the UK on some occasions, most notably defeating Brook's fellow gym buddy Ryan Rhodes in 2012. The WBC Silver light-middleweight title would be at stake for the fight. Brook weighed 153.4 pounds while Rabchenko weighed 153.7 pounds. Brook stopped Rabchenko in round 2 to claim the vacant WBC Silver belt. In round 1, Brook used his jab and right hand, with Rabchenko on the back foot leaving himself open. In round 2, Brook hurt Rabchenko with a right uppercut. The shot wobbled Rabchenko, causing him to back up on unsteady legs. Brook then hit Rabchenko with a straight right hand to the head which put him down. Rabchenko slowly got to his feet at the count of nine, however clearly hurt, referee Steve Gray halted the fight at 1 minute 27 seconds of round 2. In the post-fight, Brook said, "I've put everyone in the division on notice. It was all about getting timing right, and I was getting it right. Timing beats speed. I felt very comfortably. I've only gone up 10 pounds from yesterday. I needed to get back to winning ways. I'm back at it." Along with Hearn, Brook stated he would put pressure on rival Amir Khan for a future fight.

It was announced on 12 May 2016 that negotiations for a unification fight with WBO titleholder Jessie Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs) were under way. Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports he had "offered a huge amount of money" to make the fight happen and while he conceded Brook might have to travel to America, Vargas insists he is willing to cross the Atlantic. Danny Garcia, the WBC champion, was top of the list, but Hearn conceded the Vargas fight looked more likely. Hearn said the fight will take place 20 August, 27 August, or 3 September at Bramall Lane in Sheffield. Vargas confirmed via his Twitter account that the bout is set for 3 September. Negotiations fell through on 9 July for the unification title fight, when it was announced that Brook would be moving up two weight divisions to challenge Gennady Golovkin instead.

On 8 July 2016, it was announced that Brook would face undefeated Unified Middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin (35-0, 32 KOs). The fight took place on 10 September 2016 at the O2 Arena in London. Brook was scheduled to fight in a unification bout against Jessie Vargas. Likewise, there were negotiations for Golovkin to fight Chris Eubank Jr. However, negotiations fell through and Brook agreed to move up two weight divisions to challenge Golovkin. The fight aired in the United States on HBO and on Sky Box Office pay-per-view in the United Kingdom.

Six months after sustaining a life-threatening injury, it was confirmed that Brook would finally make his first defence of the IBF title against mandatory challenger Jo Jo Dan (34-2, 18 KOs). The fight took place on 28 March 2015 in Brook's home town, Sheffield. Dan became the mandatory after beating Kevin Bizier a second time in December 2014 via split decision. Brook came out landing straight punches. In round two, a straight right hand wobbled Dan. Brook followed up with a right uppercut that sent Dan to the canvas. Soon after, Brook landed two straight right hands, the first wobbling Dan and the second creating another knockdown. In the fourth round, Brook threw a straight right and left hand that hurt Dan and followed up with a furry that resulted in the third knockdown. The final knockdown was scored at the bell via counter left hand. Dan's corner subsequently stopped the fight in between rounds. The fight was broadcast live in the afternoon on Showtime in USA averaging 143,000 viewers and peaked at 166,000 viewers. A replay aired in the evening averaging 230,000 viewers, peaking 284,000 viewers.

On 10 April 2015, Matchroom Sport announced that Brook would be making his second defence is the space of two months against British boxer Frankie Gavin (22-2, 13 KOs) at the O2 Arena on 30 May on Sky Sport Box Office with a strong undercard including Lee Selby, Kevin Mitchell and Olympic medalist Anthony Joshua. The bout was known for being the first all-British welterweight world title fight. Brook successfully defended his IBF welterweight for the second time. Brook landed his jab from the start and picked up the pace as the fight went on, cutting off the ring and walking through his opponent. Gavin remained defensive but did occasionally find success. In round six, Brook showed versatility in throwing a variety of combinations, mixing soft and hard punches, while Gavin attempted to avoid trading. As Brook landed an uppercut however, Gavin exchanged a right hand, which was countered by Brook's straight left hand. Gavin staggered back to the ropes, and the referee stopped the fight as Brook threw another flurry.

In January 2016, it was announced that after nearly a year without fighting, Brook would make a third defence of his IBF title against mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier (25-2, 17 KOs) at the Sheffield Arena on 26 March. Hearn and Bizier's promoter Yvon Michel agreed a deal to avoid purse bids. Bizier became the mandatory after knocking out Fredrick Lawson on 7 November 2015 in Miami, USA. Brook stopped Bizier in the second round. En route to landing a 'big fight,' Brook rocked Bizier with a left to the jaw and he then further dazed Bizier with a series of hooks. After taking a count, Bizier did not look that interested in carrying on and Brook unleashed a combination that left the Canadian crumpled in a heap. This was Brook's second mandatory fight since winning the IBF title in 2014. After the bout, Brook and Hearn talked about potential unification fights against the likes of Tim Bradley, Danny García, Keith Thurman and Jesse Vargas.

After beating Senchenko, Brook was once again the mandatory challenger for the IBF welterweight world title. Shawn Porter was the favorite to win and came out aggressively as he pressurized Brook, relying heavily on looping shots. Brook kept his composure, however, and showcased formidable defensive attributes, strength, and clean punching throughout the fight. Brook's technical ability took over after the middle rounds as the straight one-two combinations hurt Porter. Brook defeated Porter to win the title at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on 16 August 2014 by a majority decision 114–114, 116–112, and 117–111. Brook landed 158 of his 441 punches (36%), mostly jabs. Porter threw 308 more power punches, in total landing 156 of 626 thrown (25%). Porter felt as though he won the fight, "I thought that I was effective with my attack, but he was ready. I'm not giving any excuses. I want the rematch. I'll find him where he's at, and I'll take it from him." Brook claimed he wanted the all-British showdown with Amir Khan. The fight did not generate as many viewers as expected, an average of 661,000 viewers on Showtime. The whole card averaged just 514,000 viewers.

Brook has been involved in two stabbing incidents, the first in Sheffield in 2007. Secondly, on 4 September 2014, whilst on holiday with his pregnant wife in Tenerife, Brook was stabbed in the leg, in what he said was an unprovoked attack. The incident took place around 2 a.m. local time at Golf del Sur in San Miguel de Abona. A spokeswoman stated that he had lost a lot of blood. There was no immediate arrests. It was later reported that Brook was stabbed three times in the leg and once in the arm. Brook spoke about the attack whilst in hospital, "I was out enjoying a night out before returning home to the UK when I was the victim of an unprovoked attack. I’m devastated right now after being on such a high having achieved my dream of becoming world champion in Los Angeles last month. This is obviously a major setback. I want to thank everyone for their support and ask for privacy for myself and my family at this time. Make no mistake – I will be back."

After becoming the mandatory challenger, Brook was set to fight Devon Alexander for the world title on 19 January 2013 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. However, Brook announced he had sustained an ankle injury and the fight was pushed back until 23 February 2013 and the venue changed to the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan. Then Alexander announced he had a bicep injury causing the fight to be rescheduled yet again for 18 May 2013 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, Kell would later pull out of the fight again after injuring his foot killing the fight for a third time, with fellow Brit and Matchroom Stable mate Lee Purdy taking his place but retiring in the 7th round.

After the saga with Devon Alexander, Brook took a fight with Carson Jones in Hull on 13 July 2013, in a rematch of their original fight just over a year previously, which Brook won via a narrow majority decision. Brook took the early rounds of this contest looking far too powerful and quick for the American. Kell went on to win by stoppage in the 8th round to take his record to 30-0.

It was announced shortly after the rematch with Carson Jones that Brook would next face Vyacheslav Senchenko at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on 26 October 2013. Senchenko had recently beaten Ricky Hatton forcing him to retire for good from boxing. Brook said he was using this as motivation and wanted to "get revenge" for a British boxing hero and a personal friend within the sport. Hatton was ringside for the fight and spoke to Kell in the dressing room just prior to the fight. The opening and second rounds were very cagey encounters with neither fighter wanting to give too much away with Brook perhaps using his jab more effectively and taking both the rounds. In the third Brook knocked his opponent down with a powerful right with Senchenko taking the 8 count and continuing. Brook started the fourth strongly out boxing his Ukrainian opponent although Senchenko did unsteady Brook for a few seconds before Brook sent Sencheko back to the canvas with another right. Referee Shada Murdaugh concluded that Senchenko was in no position to continue and Brook was declared the winner by technical knockout.

On 5 September, the WBA withdrew its sanction for the fight. Although they granted Golovkin a special permit to take the fight, they stated that their title would not be at stake. The reason for the withdrawal was because Brook had never competed in the middleweight division. WBA president Gilberto Mendoza Jr. said, "What I most regret is that there are no boxers at 160 pounds who will fight against 'Triple G,' and Brook has to move up two divisions to fight against him." The Golovkin camp were said to be disappointed with the decision with promoter Tom Loeffler saying, "somehow the WBA thought it was too dangerous for a welterweight to move up to middleweight to fight the biggest puncher in boxing. I guess that is a compliment to GGG as they sanctioned [Adrien] Broner moving up two divisions [from lightweight to welterweight] to fight Paulie Malignaggi in 2013, and Roy Jones moving up two divisions [from light heavyweight to heavyweight] to fight John Ruiz [in 2003] for WBA titles, and Kell Brook is undefeated and considered a top pound-for-pound boxer."

In front of 27,000 fans in attendance, Brook lost his IBF welterweight title after being stopped in round 11. In a fight where mostly power shots were landed, Spence threw combinations to the head and more to the body, wearing down Brook. Brook did well working the counter, and landed his own shots to the body, but Spence came back with his own shots. In round 10, Spence, having Brook against the ropes unloaded some heavy power shots, which caused Brook to take a knee. In round 11, before the fight was stopped, Brook motioned many times that he couldn't see through his left eye and voluntarily took a knee, again counting as a knockdown. The referee started the 10 count which Brook couldn't make, giving him back to back defeats and his first as a welterweight. His trainer Dominic Ingle was also on the apron before the fight was officially stopped. At the time of stoppage, all three judges had Spence ahead on their scorecards 97–92, 96–93, and 95–94. In the post-fight interview, Brook credited Spence admitting he lost to the better boxer, "It was a very tough fight. I would say Spence is one of the best kids I’ve been in with, if not the best. I got caught in the seventh round, in the eye, and it felt like the same as in the Golovkin [fight]. Probably not as bad as that time, but I was getting hit on it over the rounds and it was getting worse. The last round, he caught me in it and I just stood there, double vision, and I couldn't see out of the eye [...] so I had to stop." Spence landed 246 of 633 punches thrown (39%) whilst Brook landed 136 of 442 (31%). For the fight, Spence earned around £1 million and Brook earned a guaranteed £3 million.

In front of his hometown crowd, Brook put on a below-par performance to defeat Zerafa via a 12-round unanimous decision to become the WBA mandatory challenger. After 12 round, the three judges scored the fight comfortably 118–110, 119–109, and 117–111 in favour of Brook. Zerafa fought weight and did enough to get a couple of rounds. Brook started the fight quick landing shots on Zerafa in the opening couple of rounds. He started to then slow down his workrate and by the midway point, his punch output began to drop. Brook, although landed plenty himself, allowed himself to be hit more than usual. It was the first time Brook went the 12 round distance since 2014 when he won the IBF title against Porter. After the fight, Brook admitted he was not at his best and also stated his performance might tempt a lot of boxers to now get in the ring with him. Hearn also voiced his opinion stating Amir Khan should take the fight next. Brook's new trainer John Fewkes stated the performance was not his best as he 'tried too hard', but also raised the positive point that it should now entice other boxers to fight him.

On 17 March 2012, Kell Brook took his undefeated run to 27 fights by beating Matthew Hatton, brother of Ricky Hatton, on points in Sheffield. The scores were 119-107, 119-108 and 118-109 all in favour of Brook. In front of nearly 10,000 fans at the Motorpoint Arena, Brook added the IBF International welterweight title to his WBA Inter-Continental crown. Brook floored Hatton in the ninth round but could not knock out his Mancunian opponent. The fight gave record breaking viewing figures for Sky's Fight Night Live programme it was also the most watched fight of the year in Britain. Afterwards he said on the prospect of facing Khan: "Of course I want Khan, I've been banging on about Amir Khan, but I'm going to do my own thing and if that fight happens, it happens, and I'll smash him. I want to be fighting at that top table now with elite fighters. I think I've proved I deserve to be there."

Brook faced American Carson Jones at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on Saturday 7 July 2012. Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Sport promoted the fight with it being billed "Edge of Glory" as both fighters saw this fight as a stepping stone to a shot at a world title. The fight was shown live on Sky Sports 1. The weigh in took place in Sheffield's Winter Gardens on 6 July with Brook weighing in at 10 st 6 lb 10 oz (60.16 kg) and Jones weighing slightly less at 10 st 6 lb 6 oz (60.04 kg). Brook dominated the early rounds moving well and connecting regularly with nice two and three punch combinations however as the fight went on he began to tire and Jones was able to land shots of his own. Brook's nose was broken in the 8th round which made it yet more difficult for him to come back into the fight. He was almost floored in the final round but was able to hold on until the bell. Brook did enough in the early rounds to win the fight by majority decision, as the judges' scorecards read 114–114, 116–113, and 115–113 in Brook's favour. Brook was taken to Hospital after the fight due to blood loss from his broken nose.

In August 2012 Matchroom Sport announced that Brook would face Argentinian veteran Hector Saldivia at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on 20 October 2012. The winner would then become the mandatory challenger for the IBF welterweight title held at the time by Randall Bailey. At a packed weigh in the day before the fight at Sheffield's Meadowhall Centre both fighters weighed in under the 147 lbs limit. Brook started strongly knocking Saldivia down midway through the first round. The second round was very similar with Saldivia unable to deal with Brook's superior accuracy and power. In the third Brook landed a solid well timed straight which sent the Argentinian to the floor again. This time he struggled to get up as his legs wobbled beneath him and the referee stopped the contest in the third round.

On 8 April 2011 Brook split from promoter Frank Warren and joined the Matchroom Sport boxing stable under Eddie Hearn with Brook saying that he was "really buzzing" to have joined the outfit. Hearn said that he was "excited about adding Kell to our stable" which had also recently signed Jamie Jackson former amateur British light welterweight champion part-time technical coach now working in the engineering industry. Speaking of Brook he said "Kell oozes class and has that something special about him – in short he is going to be a superstar." Brook's first contest for the promotional outfit was on 25 June 2011 at the Hillsborough Leisure Centre in Sheffield and resulted in a unanimous 12 round points decision against Lovemore N'dou, claiming the WBA version of the inter-continental title in the process.

Brook's first fight of 2010 took place in Liverpool on 12 March 2010. The fight, for the WBO Inter-Continental title, pitched Brook against Poland's Krzysztof Bienias, a man last beaten by Junior Witter in 2005 and with a run of seventeen straight wins. Brook collected his second career title when in the sixth round the fight was stopped by the referee following a dominant display by the Yorkshireman. Brook's long awaiting fight against Michael Jennings was due to be next on 3 July 2010 until a rib injury forced the fight to be postponed for a second time. The fight, for Brook's British belt was then scheduled to take place between Jennings and former Commonwealth champion John O'Donnell before O'Donnell pulled out and was then rescheduled between Brook and Jennings. Finally, on 18 September 2010 Brook boxed Michael Jennings at the LG arena in Birmingham. Kell won the fight in round 5 following a bad cut above the eye sustained by Jennings which the referee deemed bad enough to stop the fight. The win doubled as Brooks's fourth defence of the British title and his first defence of the inter-continental belt. On 9 December 2010 Brook made his second defence of the inter-continental title beating Ghana's Phillip Kotey with the referee waving the fight off during the second round. The win ensured that Brook kept his number one ranking with the World Boxing Organisation.

On 30 January 2009 Brook returned to the York Hall to meet former marine Stuart Elwell in a voluntary second defence. The fight again ended quickly when the referee stopped the fight in the 2nd round handing victory to Brook. He claimed the Lonsdale belt outright on 20 July 2009 when making his third defence against Prizefighter winner Michael Lomax. The fight, at the MEN Arena in Manchester, was on the undercard to Amir Khan's world championship victory over Andreas Kotelnik and saw Brook win by stoppage in the third round. After the fight Brook said that he believed he was the best in Britain but couldn't say for sure until he's beaten Chorley's Michael Jennings who he challenged to a match-up.

On 25 September 2009, Brook pipped fellow champion Nathan Cleverly for the prestigious title of Young British boxer of the Year, as voted for by the Boxing Writer's Club. The vote was the closest in the history of the award with Brook claiming the honour by one vote over Cleverly who held both the British and Commonwealth titles at light-heavyweight. In winning the award Brook joined a list of boxers which included the likes of Ken Buchanan, John H Stracey, Barry McGuigan, Nigel Benn, Naseem Hamed, Joe Calzaghe and Amir Khan.

Having won the belt Brook was then ordered to face the former champion and the bout took take place in Glasgow's Kelvin Hall on 14 November 2008. Prior to the fight and referring to the bad blood that has built up between the two fighter's Brook said "Once I knock out McIntyre in style then there will be no question mark over who should be British champion." When the fight finally did happen, Brook put McIntyre down three times in the first round to win by TKO to send the Glasgow crowd home disappointed.

Brook's first fight as a professional took place in September 2004 with a 6-round points victory over experienced journeyman Peter Buckley at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield. He would fight again four more times that year to end 2004 with a record of 5-0 in just four months. Brook went about learning his trade against a host of journeymen before getting the opportunity in June 2008 to fight for the British title having compiled a winning record of 16-0.

Ezekiel "Kell" Brook (born 3 May 1986) is a British professional boxer. He held the IBF welterweight title from 2014 to 2017, and has challenged once for a unified middleweight title in 2016. At regional level he held the British welterweight title from 2008 to 2010. In May 2017, Brook was ranked as the world's best active welterweight by The Ring magazine. As of September 2019, he is ranked as the world’s eighth best active light middleweight by BoxRec, ninth by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and tenth by The Ring magazine.

On 2 September 2015, Hearn announced a deal had been reached for Brook to defend his title against Argentine slugger Diego Chaves (23-2-1, 19 KOs), after a deal could not be made with Brandon Rios. The fight was scheduled to take place at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield on 24 October, which would be Brook's third fight in seven months. Brook praised Chavez ahead of the fight, "Chaves is a rough, tough, durable fighter who is very dangerous. He's bringing something new to the table. He's coming off a draw to Tim Bradley, was ahead on the cards against Brandon Rios until he was disqualified and gave Keith Thurman a solid fight, so we know what level he has mixed at and how good he is." The fight postponed and ultimately cancelled on 16 October after Brook injured his ribs during a sparring session. The rest of the card still took place as scheduled.