Homeboy Brook intending to make statement in Sheffield

The year has been a frustrating one so far for Brook after a projected world title shot at Devon Alexander was postponed three times and injuries slowed his progress.

But Brook takes on Ricky Hatton’s conqueror Vyacheslav Senchenko secure in the knowledge that he is next in line for a crack at the IBF welterweight title which will be contested between Alexander and Shawn Porter in Texas next month.

A straightforward win will not be good enough for Brook, who wants to make a statement in front of a US TV audience in order to underline his claims to belong at the top level.

Brook said: “This fight is being broadcast out in America so I want to make a statement and I’m going to make sure I do make a statement.

“Beating Senchenko in style will show where I am – on the top table with the elite fighters out there.”

While Brook eased past Carson Jones in his only fight this year in July, Ukrainian Senchenko made his name by depositing Hatton into retirement via a ninth-round knockout win in Manchester last December. The tough Senchenko has won once more since and knows victory over Brook will enhance his own claims to a clash with the winner of the eagerly-awaited bout between Alexander and Porter.

Brook added: “He means business and last time he came over here he did what he did to Ricky, but I’ve had an unbelievable training camp and Saturday can’t come quickly enough for me.”

Olympic super-heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has his second professional fight on the undercard when he faces veteran Paul Butlin in a bout scheduled for six rounds.

Joshua eased to a first-round win over Italian Emanuele Leo on his debut earlier this month and is unlikely to have any problem dispatching 37-year-old Butlin, who has lost 13 of his last 15 bouts.