Story by: Chip Mitchell
Kell Brook (36-2, 25 KOs) made it clear he wants to fight again this year. Coming off a loss in May against Errol Spence Jr (22-0, 19 KOs), Brook vowed to return sometime this winter.
“I spoke to the surgeon and he said that the operation was a big success and simpler than the last one,” said Brook. “It took half the time of the first one and there’s very little swelling and it looks great. The last scan I had revealed that the healing has started really well and the bone already looks strong so I expect to make a full recovery and I want to fight again in 2017.
“I was bitterly disappointed by the loss at Bramall Lane. Losing my belt was gutting but I’m glad I accepted to fight Spence and help be part of an event that Sheffield will remember and be proud of.
“I still feel that I have a massive future in the sport. I will talk to my team in the coming weeks about what we can do next and I am looking to get back into camp this summer.”
At some point during the fight with Spence, Brook suffered a fracture to his left eye-socket. It was the second consecutive fight with a fracture, as Gennady Golovkin’s punches fractured Brook’s right eye-socket in September 2016.
If I’m all-in for Team Brook, I’d recommend two things:
- Take your time coming back and make it the latest possible date in 2017 to return.
- Make your return at super welterweight/junior middleweight and against someone who isn’t a big puncher or who employs a body attack in favor of headshots.
Brook is still young, at 31 years. However, as a member of his team I’d need reassurances he has no greater chance of becoming blind or losing an eye than someone without eye fractures.
Hopefully Brook has a defined set of goals and isn’t just fighting to collect money. I’d like to see him bounce back with title aspirations and a redemptive mindset.
With said assurances, Brook may be able to make noise at ’54 after a few victories. Wouldn’t mind seeing the young man in there with a Charles Hatley or a Tony Harrison.
A fighter with similar “eye” problems has made his way into the top 20. How about a showdown with Antonio Margarito?
Juuust kidding, folks.
If Brook passes a few stern tests against fringe guys, then he can step up to take on a Jermell Charlo, a Demetrius Andrade, or the Jarrett Hurd/Austin Trout winner.
Keep an eye on Kell Brook. It might be a great story of redemption that unfolds in front of our eyes.
