Kell Brook hung up the gloves in 2022 after a win over longtime rival, Amir Khan – but a return has never been far from his mind.
The former world champion has been open about his emotional struggle without the structure of professional boxing in his life, and that was perhaps most apparent recently when a tabloid newspaper obtained and shared a video of him sniffing white powder.
Brook has since apologised and told his fans that he was seeking help, however it doesn’t seem to have deterred a comeback – only fuelled it.
Ben Shalom, who promoted Brook’s final fight, told ID Boxing News that the Sheffield man didn’t want that video leak to be his lasting memory in the minds of boxing fans.
“I know Kell Brook wants to fight again. He doesn’t want that [the video] to be his lasting memory, and I’ve spoken already on that. But he always wanted one more fight. It has to be the right fight.”
Shalom went on to mention the weight and potential opponent for Brook.
I think to be honest 154 for Kell is probably the right weight for him. Liam Smith obviously has fought there all his career, so that’s definitely a possibility.”
The promoter’s comments came before Chris Eubank Jr activated his rematch clause to face Liam Smith for a second time. The Brighton man was knocked out in the fourth round of their January contest and has now confirmed his intentions to attempt to avenge that.
Their second bout is expected to take place this summer. Whether or not Brook will want to wait for the winner of that is unclear, but from Shalom’s comments, it seems like there would be too much of a weight disparity for him to face Eubank.
Smith has made an interest in staying at 160lb clear, but a big money offer to face Brook at a lower weight may tempt him away from that.