• Welterweight

Brook will defend title against Dan

Kell Brook beat Shawn Porter on points in their IBF Welterweight World Championship fight © Getty Images

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Kell Brook is ready to return to action after being stabbed on holiday last year and will make the first defence of his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Jo Jo Dan.

The fight will take place on March 28 at the Sheffield Arena in Brook's hometown, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn announced on Thursday.

As the mandatory challenger, Brook (33-0, 22 KOs) won the world title by a majority decision against American Shawn Porter in California in August.

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Kell Brook has been inspiring young fighters at the Wincobank Gym in Sheffield © Getty Images

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The 28-year-old was supposed to make his first title defence late last year - the opponent had not been announced - but he suffered a stab wound in his leg during an incident while he was in Spain in September.

"After everything that's happened over the last six months, it feels incredible knowing I will be defending my world title in Sheffield," Brook said. "I want to get this mandatory out of the way and then target those megafights that are out there in the division.

"There is no chance that I will be underestimating Jo Jo Dan, though, as I know how he will be feeling, having 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."

Dan (34-2, 18 KOs), 33, a Romanian native living in Canada, beat Kevin Bizier for the second time on December 19, claiming a split decision in Quebec City in a title elimination fight to become Brook's mandatory challenger.

"To see Kell walk out in front of a sold-out crowd in his hometown of Sheffield is going to be an emotional night," Hearn said. "Kell has gone to America and beaten an American to win the world title.

"It's a massive achievement and it shows that he is a very, very special fighter.

"Jo Jo Dan is a tough fight. There's no way that Kell can be anything but 100 percent to beat him, and I have no doubt that he will be. There are some massive fights out there for Kell if he can take care of Jo Jo, but his focus is solely on Dan and I expect him to shine on March 28."

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