• Welterweight

Kell Brook relishing Carson Jones clash

Kell Brook took Matthew Hatton apart in March © PA Photos

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Kell Brook will take the next step on what he hopes is a path to a world title shot with a clash against American Carson Jones on July 7 at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield.

The winner of the bout will be in prime position to challenge the winner of the fight between Mike Jones and Randall Bailey, who meet for a vacant world title on June 9 in Las Vegas on the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley Jr undercard.

"Kell is in one of the toughest divisions and to manoeuvre a world title shot isn't easy," Hearn said. "Victory against Carson will put us in line for a shot at the Jones-Bailey winner and that's a fight I want to bring to the UK in October."

Brook is unbeaten in 27 fights and will step into the ring on the back of a mauling of Matthew Hatton in March. He is aware his clash with Jones is a rise in class but is ready for the challenge.

"It's a step up in class again and one that I'm truly ready for," Brook said. "Jones is experienced for his age and has been avoided, but I want a world title shot and in order to get it, I need to go through him."

Jones has no fears about taking on Brook in his home town, as he too seeks a world title shot. "Basically, Kell Brook is the last person standing in my way to fight for a world title," Jones said. "He will have to kill me to beat me because I have worked too hard to let anyone stop me from reaching my dream. It does not matter if the fight is here, there or in Zimbabwe. I have made a living going to other people's hometowns and knocking them out and this will be no exception. Kell Brook needs to be afraid, very afraid, because his fans are going to see him put to sleep on July 7."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.