Michael Buffer is returning to Sheffield to bring Kell Brook and Jo Jo Dan to the ring as they clash for Brook’s IBF Welterweight title on March 28. Buffer has worked in the Steel City twice for modern-day legends Prince Naseem Hamed and Ricky Hatton, and he’ll be the man to call defending champion Brook into the packed Motorpoint Arena to face-off against his mandatory challenger Dan.
“When Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport reached out to me a few weeks ago to announce the Kell Brook vs Jo Jo Dan Ion Welterweight World title fight, I jumped at the chance.
“Luckily it fell on only the second weekend of the year that I’m free to work but more importantly it’s a chance to return to a great venue in a hard core, fight fan city with another ring superstar on the rise in Brook.
“Brook is top-tier World champion who beat undefeated Shawn Porter last year in California and brought another championship belt to England’s steel city. He went the distance to hammer out a tough majority decision that left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he should be considered among the elite of the welterweight division.
“It’s going to be a pleasure to sit at ringside after the introductions watch him work. It won’t be an easy night as his opponent, Jo Jo Dan, isn’t going to travel to Sheffield to roll over – this guy is a clever, legitimate challenger with 34 wins. I have been in attendance with him in the ring in Montreal against Kevin Bizier and he can bring it, believe me.
“I imagine the boxing world must consider and even demand that a Kell Brook victory should put him in position for a match up with the winner of the upcoming Mayweather-Pacquiao super fight or with the fighting pride of Bolton, Amir Khan, in a mega fight. A lot is riding on this fight in Sheffield.
“This will be my third trip to Sheffield and I know the fans are insane with energy! My last trip to the UK Steel City I saw the great Ricky Hatton’s unification victory against Carlos Maussa back in 2005. The arena was then Hallam FM Arena and the place was jumping but my first trip there, when the name was Sheffield Arena was in 1997 and I thought the roof would come off when the one and only Prince Naseem Hamed successfully defended his featherweight title against Jose Badillo.
Just the entrance was deafening as Naz made his way to the ring and his trademark flip over the top rope, the crowd set decibel records with noise. I have a feeling the standing room only crowd – 10,000 plus strong – at the Motorpoint will be rocking once again when Kell Brook comes down the aisle to the ring. Sheffield has a proven record of supporting its fighting heroes. Saturday night, 28 March will be electric! I can’t wait!”
