Kell Brook will face Vyacheslav Senchenko at the Motorpoint Arena Sheffield on October 26, live on Sky Sports.
The unbeaten Sheffield welterweight moved to 30-0 with his 20th stoppage at the MS3 Craven Park in Hull earlier this month, dispatching his ‘nemesis’ Carson Jones in eight rounds.
Senchenko is familiar to British fight fans having stopped Ricky Hatton in the Manchester man’s comeback fight in November. The Ukrainian took the WBA title from Yuriy Nuzhnenko in April 2009, defending the belt three times before his sole defeat on his 34 fight record to Paulie Malignaggi in April 2012.
“It’s a tough task but I’m very excited,” Brook told Sky Sports News. “Anyone who stops Ricky Hatton is a dangerous fighter and one that I will take very seriously, so I can’t wait to get in there and train very hard to put on a good show for my fans in Sheffield. He’s been a World champion, been there and done it, so he will be out to prove that he’s worthy of another crack at being on top of the World.
“I really get up for it when I box in Sheffield, it’ll be packed to the rafters and they are really passionate fans – so I can’t wait to be back in my Arena, in a big fight that will take me closer to a World title shot. I’m on the doorstep of a World title and I’m ready to show I have what it takes to win it.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn believes he has got the right fight for Brook, who is closing in on a World title shot after his successful return from injury against Jones.
“I’m delighted to make this fight and feel it’s the perfect fight for Kell at this time,” said Hearn. “It’s without doubt his sternest test yet and Senchenko brings credibility as a former World title holder and mass appeal after his KO win over Ricky Hatton. We are going to put on a special show in Sheffield and the atmosphere will be electric.”
Information on ticket prices and sale dates as well as early undercard news will be released towards the end of next week.
