Video: Brook aims to put on big show to impress Americans

Sheffield's Kell Brook ahead of his title fight against Jo Jo Dan. Picture: Andrew Roe

The IBF welterweight champion is back in a ring just six months after being stabbed in the leg while on holiday in Tenerife, just three weeks after winning the world title.

But the 28-year-old insists he is better than ever – both physically and mentally – as he puts his  title on the line against mandatory challenger Jo Jo Dan of Romania.

Speaking at an open training sessions at the Ingle’s gym in Wincobank, where he first laced up the gloves aged nine, Brook said: “I’ve put all the work in. I’m as fit as ever.

“I’m a mentally strong guy and when it comes down to it Saturday night, you’re going to see that it’s not affected me in any way.

“I’m just going to take care of business.

“You’re going to see the best in Kell Brook. If Jo Jo comes as he says he is, then he’s going to bring the best out of me.

“I’m going to try and put a show on. I want to look my best in the ring on Saturday night.”

The necessity to ‘look his best’ comes with the added interest at home and abroad, with the fight set to be screened live in America on Showtime.

Part of the greater appeal of Brook is the fact that he has hauled himself back to the top of the bill just months after undergoing life-saving surgery.

“I’m thick-skinned, I let things go over my head – I’m built that way,” he said, when asked if he had overcome an attack that left him requiring 32 stitches in his left leg.

“It was hard at the beginning but you have to turn negatives into positives and come through it and come back.

“This has been the hardest training camp that I’ve had to go through.

“I’ve had a second daughter, my uncle passed away suddenly, and many other things that happen in training camps, like the niggles that fighters don’t talk about.

“But I put that to one side and training camp has gone unbelievably well.

“And believe me when I say, I’m back and there’s no chance of anything bad happening.

“I’m mentally strong and this has not destroyed me.”

Tickets priced £40, £60, £80, £100 and £150 available from the Arena on 0114 2565656 and at www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk. VIP tickets at £250 are exclusively available from Matchroom Boxing at www.matchroomboxing.com.