Former welterweight world title-holder Kell Brook will return to the United States on June 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
‘The Special One’ is the first UK name confirmed to feature on the Anthony Joshua v Jarrell Miller world heavyweight championship card.
Brook has fought just once in the last twelve months following out of the ring problems. The Yorkshireman was also disappointed after missing out on a fight with Brit rival Amir Khan.
Instead of a promised collision against Brook, Khan accepted an offer from Top Rank and Bob Arum to face Terence Crawford instead.
The pair will now campaign at the same venue six weeks apart.
Scoring two wins since 2016, Brook has somewhat stagnated in recent times. Losses to Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence put Brook’s boxing career in doubt.
Breaking cheekbones on either side of his face in each encounter, Brook threatened to spiral out of control outside the ring.
Since then, Brook has defeated Sergey Rabchenko and Michael Zerafa in bouts purely to keep him ticking over.
The big names are what Brook needs for the remainder of his time in the sport. And whether that comes at welterweight or super-welterweight will be determined by the opposition on the table.
A rematch with Shawn Porter could be one immediate target for Brook. But that’s unlikely to happen next.
Another warm-up foe before a stiffer test is expected as Brook aims to impress an American audience once again.
PORTER
Travelling to California in 2014, Brook shocked Porter to claim the world 147 pound strap, subsequently making three defences.
Porter has since gone on to regain a foothold at the pinnacle of the sport. ‘Showtime’ is currently WBC champion at welterweight.
If no Porter, the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Keith Thurman or names at 154 pounds could be considered.
Brian Castano and Tony Harrison would be seen as winnable bouts for Brook should he decided to move up permanently.
Longer-term, and should he lose to Crawford, Khan would come back onto Brook’s radar to later in 2019 or next year.
