• Welterweight

Kell Brook grateful for second chance after machete attack

Kell Brook will defend the IBF world title he won from Shawn Porter in September, weeks before the machete attack © Getty Images

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Kell Brook insists he will not be hampered in by the leg injury he suffered in a machete attack six months ago during his first world title defence on Saturday.

Less than three weeks after he won the IBF world welterweight title from Shawn Porter in America, Brook feared he would never walk again after being hospitalised by a machete attack during a night out while on holiday in Tenerife in September.

Two muscles were damaged by the stabbing and Brook needed blood transfusions as well as 32 staples to the wound, but he made a speedy recovery with the help of the Sheffield United physio team.

Apart from a hideous curving scar on his left thigh, Brook insists there has been no lasting effect from the unprovoked attack and his movement will not be restricted against Romania-born Canada-based Jo Jo Dan at the Motorpoint Arena on Saturday.

"My leg is completely healed and I've been training very hard on it, so there are no concerns now," Brook told ESPN. "I was worried to see how it would hold up with what I've put my body through in training camp.

"But there's absolutely no difference between one leg and the other one and I've got no worries about it for the fight."

Brook wants to repay the well-wishers and fans who have given him support since the stabbing left him fearing his career was over.

Recovering from the career-threatening injury also sparked a rejuvenated attitude in training for the mandatory showdown with Dan.

"To be defending my world title in my home city in front of a packed out crowd is truly amazing and I will use all the energy I get from the crowd and channel it in the ring," Brook told ESPN.

"The best wishes I've received, support from the general public and media, has given me extra motivation for this fight.

"When the attack happened, I got so many well-wishers it was overwhelming and I want to give something back, pay them back for their support and show them nothing is wrong with me after the attack.

"I'm excited to be back boxing again and I've actually enjoyed going through all the pain in training, pushing my body, the dieting and being disciplined.

"I've enjoyed it because I'm just so glad to be actually boxing again. When the attacked happened, to think I could never box again - words can't describe how I felt about that thought. I was thinking am I going to walk again, let alone box again."

Brook trains at the same Wincobank Gym in Sheffield that produced Naseem Hamed, who went on to become world featherweight champion and a star on both sides of the Atlantic.

The 28-year-old hopes staying world champion will see him become as big a name as Hamed, with opponents such as Juan Manuel Marquez and Brandon Rios possible for Bramall Lane this summer if he beats Dan.

"Naz never fully fulfilled his potential," Brook told ESPN. "I hope I can and I want to be in big fights and excite the fans in the hottest division in boxing today. You are going to see me in some massive fights in the next few years."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd