Kell Brook’s IBF title defense against Jo Jo Dan on will be shown live in the US on Showtime on March 28.
Brook makes the first defense of the crown he ripped from Shawn Porter in California in August, a stunning performance on American soil that was also broadcast live on Showtime.
‘The Special One’ now faces his number one mandatory challenger in Canadian-based Romanian Dan, who landed the bout with a fine win over Kevin Bizier in December in Montreal.
Brook’s clash with Dan will be broadcast live on Showtime at 6:15pm ET/3:15pm PT from the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, and later that evening, Jhonny Gonzalez (57-8, 48 KOs), of Mexico City, will defend his 126lb belt against Gary Russell Jr. (25-1, 14 KOs), of Capitol Heights, Md., in the main event from The Pearl at Palms Resort Casino in Las Vegas.
Brook’s upcoming title defense, promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, will be a raucous homecoming for the popular Brit, who last fought in Sheffield in October 2013. Billed as “Unbreakable” in the UK, the event is also Brook’s comeback fight after getting attacked while on vacation last September.
“After everything that’s happened over the last six months, it feels incredible knowing I will be defending my World title in Sheffield,” said Brook. “I’m not looking past Jo Jo I know he will bring the heat but I want to get this mandatory defense done and then target those mega-fights that are out there in the division. I know he feels he worked so hard to get into the mandatory position just like I did, but I will be working twice as hard to keep the belt that I earned. After May 2nd, there will only be two champions in the division—myself and Floyd or Manny. I want to unify this division in style. I’m coming for them all.”
“Kell has not fought anyone like me,” said Dan. “I believe in myself and I don’t think he can bring anything I can’t deal with on fight night. I saw his last fight where he won the World title and it was a great performance, but I just let my team study him in depth and come up with a winning strategy.
“I have waited a long time to get a world title shot so I am determined to take advantage of this opportunity. My prediction for the fight is simple – Jo Jo Dan becomes the new IBF Welterweight World champion.”
“March 28 will be an emotional night for Kell and the team,” said Hearn. “I remember being by his bedside in September in a Spanish hospital after that horrific knife attack, it looked like his career was over. He has shown incredible physical and mental strength and looks better than ever in camp. Fans on Showtime will get to see in my opinion the best 147 pounder in the world light up a 10,000 sell out arena on March 28 – don’t miss it!”
