Kell Brook vs. Jo Jo Dan: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

Kell Brook will finally get the chance to defend his IBF welterweight title when he faces Jo Jo Dan in Sheffield, England, on Saturday.

Brook (33-0, 22 KO) became champion last August when he defeated American Shawn Porter on points at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. However, a planned defence before the end of 2014 had to be shelved after the 28-year-old was stabbed in the leg while on holiday in Spain.

After working his way back to full fitness, Brook now has the opportunity to make up for lost time when he puts the belt on the line at the Motorpoint Arena. 

Dan will be eager to ruin the homecoming.

Born in Romania but now based in Canada, the challenger has a 34-2 (18 KO) record and has only lost to Selcuk Aydin in his professional career.

As for the undercard, Gavin McDonnell aims to become European super bantamweight champion when he takes on Oleksandr Yegorov for the vacant title. 

Frankie Gavin will make his first outing since joining the Matchroom stable against Bogdan Mitic, while middleweight Adam Etches aims to stay perfect when he meets experienced Sergey Khomitsky.

Rising stars Charlie Edwards, Jordan Gill, Stephen Smith and Khalid Yafai are also part of a bumper bill.

When: Saturday, March 28 at 10 p.m. GMT/6 p.m. ET

Where: Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, England 

TV: Sky Sports (UK), Showtime (US)

Live Stream: Sky Sports (region restricted)

A New Chapter

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

It may not be a well-known trait for boxers, but Brook has shown tremendous patience.

He had to deal with the disappointment of seeing world title challenges against Devon Alexander ruined by injuries before finally getting his shot last year against Porter.

Then, having finally reached the top after becoming the IBF champion, his story took another twist when he was attacked in Spain.

According to Riath Al-Samarrai of the Daily Mail, it left him fearing for his life, much less his career.

Brook admits he has had to take “baby steps” in his comeback. Now he'll finally get the opportunity to show off the spoils in front of his supporters. 

Taking on Dan, who moved himself to the front of the queue to face Brook by beating Kevin Bizier in December, also frees up Brook for the future.

The star-studded welterweight division offers plenty of opportunities for big fights, though the Yorkshireman has admitted, per Matchroom Boxing, that he cannot look beyond his next opponent:

"

He’s earned his position like I did against Porter, so he gets his chance to take that title off me—but that’s not happening. 

I am not looking past him, but I know that there are massive fights out there for me in the division and after I take care of business, I am free to fight anyone.

Keith Thurman is making a lot of noise these days, Brandon Rios, Andre Berto, Juan Manuel Marquez and of course Amir Khan, there’s many top names in this brilliant division and I am in a great position holding a belt and sitting at the top table in the division.

"

Dan the Man

Dan will be hoping to follow Brook's example as he bids to beat the champion in his own backyard.

Having travelled to America to upset the odds against Porter, the Englishman now finds the boot on the other foot.

He is the one defending the belt with the additional pressure of an expectant crowd and an American audience watching on, with Showtime confirming that it will air the bout.

Dan has worked his way into a position that may not come around again if he is beaten at the weekend.

The 33-year-old is at least experienced in campaigning on the road. He has twice been to Turkey to face Aydin, losing on points on both occasions.

He is confident he will not suffer the same fate as Lucian Bute, another Romanian-born boxer based in Canada who was blown away inside five rounds by Carl Froch in Nottingham three years ago. 

Via Chris McKenna of the Daily Star, Dan insists he will not allow the occasion to get to him: “I'm prepared. The fans do not matter. I have travelled everywhere in the world. This is my job. I will not struggle with the crowd, I've fought everywhere.”

Prediction

Dan has a win over Steve Forbes on his pro record, but Brook is a league above anyone he has fought to date.

Dominic Ingle, Brook’s trainer, described the challenger as a potential banana skin, but don’t expect any slip-ups in Sheffield.

Brook’s biggest challenge could well be dealing with the occasion, particularly after all he has been through since beating Porter. Still, it is tough to see how he'll come a cropper against Dan.

After a cautious start as he feels his way back in, Brook will go on to dominate. Expect a win by stoppage in the middle rounds.