I’ll beat Jo Jo – then I’m ready forManny or Floyd
BROOK’S UP FOR BIG ONE WHEN DAN ’N DUSTED
KELL BROOK will stake his claim for a superfight if he impresses in his first world title defence against Jo Jo Dan next weekend.
The Sheffield man returns to the ring six months after being left for dead following a machete attack while on holiday in the lager louts haven of Tenerife.
Dan is the mandatory contender for Brook’s IBF welterweight crown, and the Sheffield man knows he must impress in his home city on Saturday.
A stunning win could put him in pole position to challenge the winner of the massive May 2 unification fight between WBA and WBC champ Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, the WBO title holder.
Brook said: “After May 2, there will only be two champions in the division – myself and either Manny or Floyd.
“I want to unify this division in style – I’m coming for them all.
“But I’m not looking past Jo Jo. I know he’ll bring the heat so I want to get the mandatory defence done and then target those megafights that are out there in the division.
“I know he feels he’s worked so hard to get into the mandatory position – just like I did – but I’ll be working twice as hard to keep the belt that I earned.”
Horrific
Crucially, the Dan defence will be screened live in the United States on Showtime, piling more pressure on Brook, who has won all 33 of his pro fights.
But, having feared he would never box or walk again because of the impact of a 12- inch wound on his leg from the attack, he’ll easily handle the expectancy.
Ironically Brook’s horror injury came just a few weeks after he had shocked Shawn Porter to claim his slice of the world welterweight crown.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “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.
“It’ll be emotional when Kell faces Dan.”
Montreal- based Romanian Dan has won 34 of his 36 contests, although he hasn’t beaten one boxer who would go close against Brook.
He says: “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.
“I’ve waited a long time to get a world title shot so I’m determined to take advantage of the opportunity.
“My prediction for the fight is simple – Jo Jo Dan becomes the new IBF welterweight world champion.”