Tuesday 12 December 2017 06:08, UK
Kell Brook will make his debut at super-welterweight when he faces Sergey Rabchenko at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on March 3, live on Sky Sports.
Following back-to-back defeats to Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr, 'The Special One' has decided to move up in weight and has ambitions of becoming a two-weight world champion.
Brook, the former IBF welterweight world champion, will take on former European title-holder and tough Belarusian Rabchenko, a fighter well known on British shores.
I believe I will be stronger and better than ever in the division and my focus now is on becoming a two-weight two-time world champion
The 31-year-old, who is ranked at No. 7 with the WBC, stopped Brook's fellow Ingle Gym product Ryan Rhodes back in 2012 and only has two defeats on his 31-fight record.
"I can't wait to get back in there and it's going to be special returning to the arena," said Brook. "The Spence defeat cut deep and it took me some time to come to terms with it but now I'm back with a new challenge at super-welterweight.
"I believe I will be stronger and better than ever in the division and my focus now is on becoming a two-weight, two-time world champion.
"This is a dangerous fight for my return but I want to jump straight back in at world level and I think our styles will gel for an electric fight. I'm already deep in camp and I can't wait to feel the atmosphere again in my hometown on March 3."
Rabchenko is excited about returning to the Steel City saying: "I'm really looking forward to this fight with Brook and it's going to be a war.
"I have fond memories of Sheffield and I believe the result will be the same. This is a high profile fight in the division that has always been mine, and the winner will go on and challenge for the world title - it's a must-win fight for both of us."
Eddie Hearn admits that it is a tough fight for Brook to come back to, but he is confident that his 31-year-old charge will return in style.
Kell is one of the top fighters in world boxing and you will see a new animal on March 3
"I'm so pleased to see Kell back in camp and moving up for a fresh start at 154lbs.
"He refused to vacate the title for Spence Jr but he couldn't fight at his full potential because he had to make 147lbs. This is a tough, tough test, probably tougher than I would have liked but Kell wanted to be straight back in at top level.
"The Spence loss hurt him badly especially being at Bramall Lane but we are going to get this Arena jumping for his return - Kell is one of the top fighters in world boxing and you will see a new animal on March 3 at the FlyDSA Arena."
