



With plans calling for an attempted split-site doubleheader involving Carl Froch and Kell Brook, one half of the equation is now in place. Brook is now set for the first defense of his welterweight title, as he gears for a hometown showcase at Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England.





The bout will take place in March, against an opponent who will be announced during a press conference scheduled for Monday, January 19 in Sheffield.





“I can’t wait to finally see Kell make that walk at the Motorpoint Arena as World Champion,” promoter Eddie Hearn said in a statement. “2014 was a year of incredible highs and lows and the bravery he has shown to come back from that life threatening injury has been quite remarkable. People doubted Kell before he ripped the World title from Porter in America.”





Brook (33-0, 22KOs) scored the biggest win of his career last August, traveling abroad to score a 12-round decision over Shawn Porter, snatching his unbeaten record and the welterweight title in the process.





His first defense and homecoming was targeted for December 6, though those plans violently thwarted when Brook was stabbed while vacationing in Tenerfie . The incident came less than a month after his title winning efforts, severe enough to sideline the Brit for the remainder of 2014.





In that time, a mandatory challenger has emerged. Ionut Dan Ion (better known as Jo Jo Dan) outlasted Kevin Bizier over 12-rounds last December in their rematch and final title eliminator.







Ion is among the short list of candidates in line for the title fight, as Brook could possibly squeeze in a voluntary defense with the blessing of the International Boxing Federation (IBF).





Regardless of who lands in the opposite corner on March, Brook's team sees it as the first step towards realizing his full potential in boxing's most lucrative division.





“The fact is that Kell is a special fighter and I believe he will go on to unify the 147 lb. division,” Hearn believes. “[I]t will be an emotional night for Kell and another big statement will be made.”





Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox

By Jake Donovan