Ex-champ Kell Brook announces shock comeback fight in tribute to Ricky Hatton
Kell Brook will end a four-year retirement in February to pay tribute to the late, great Ricky Hatton.
Brook, 39, the former IBF welterweight champion, hasn't fought since defeating Amir Khan in a long-awaited British grudge match in February 2022. The Sheffield boxer now returns to action on Feb. 13 in Dubai for an event that will pay tribute to Hatton.
Hatton had been scheduled to fight for the first time in 13 years against Eisa Al Dah in December. The ex-two-division champion, however, tragically died on the day he was due to fly out to Dubai in preparation for the comeback.
This past week, an inquest opening into Hatton's passing revealed that the 46-year-old's provisional cause of death was ruled as suicide by hanging. The inquest has been adjourned until March 20, 2026.
Brook will now instead face Dah next February at an event reengineered to honor Hatton and support the newly-formed Ricky Hatton Foundation, which has been set up to assist people with mental health issues.
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It is fitting that Brook takes Hatton's place against Dah as the pair of former UK-based champs shared similarities with each other. Both Brits formerly held welterweight titles and spoke openly about their battles with mental health.
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