Hatton stands in way of Brook’s world title shot

The 25-year-old Yorkshireman will fight European welterweight champion Hatton at the Motorpoint Arena in his native Sheffield on March 17.

Brook, highly ranked by the four major governing bodies, is on the verge of a world title shot, having stepped up in class in 2011.

Victory against Hatton – who lost gallantly but comprehensively in a WBC light-middleweight challenge against Saul Alvarez last year – should finally earn him his own long-awaited title shot.

Manchester’s Hatton has ambitions of his own and is looking to secure the chance to emulate older brother Ricky by becoming a world champion himself.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “This is exactly the kind of fight we want to start making in this country.

“It is a fight that captures the imagination. Kell is coming along at the perfect rate with the perfect fights and this will build into a huge event for British boxing.”

After establishing himself as a draw in his home city with two impressive wins at smaller arenas, before making his American debut last month, Brook (26-0, 18KOs) will aim to confirm his box office appeal in Sheffield and he said: “I want to separate us as No 1 and No 2 in Britain.”