The pros and cons of Kell Brook's comeback: Should it really happen?

Breaking down Kell Brook's comeback

Shocking news broke in recent days when he was revealed that the former IBF welterweight world champion Kell Brook is set for a return to the ring, four years after retirement.

Brook’s last outing saw him defeat Amir Khan by stoppage in February of 2022, in what was one of Britain’s most highly anticipated fights and longest-running rivalries.

Now, at 40-years-old, talk of the Sheffield fighter’s comeback has sparked fierce debates across the boxing fraternity.

There is the sense of excitement from some to see one of British boxings’ most popular figures back in the fray, whilst others point out that a comeback achieves nothing for Brook's legacy except provide danger for his health.

So, should Kell Brook really make a comeback? Let's delve into the reasons for and against as we break down that million-dollar question.

Kell Brook’s history

"Special K" comes from that special group of Brendan Ingle fighters.

Guided by the legendary Irish boxing trainer, Kell had his first fight at the age of 12 and compiled an amateur record of 31-5, winning two ABA titles.

Training at the famous Wincobank Gym in Sheffield, Brook was inspired by the Prince. He even went on to become part of the Famous Five with his idol, which is the group of Brendan Ingle fighters who won world titles: Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, Junior Witter, Kell Brook, Kid Galahad.

Amateur vest hung up, Brook made his highly-anticipated professional boxing debut way back in 2004 in his home city of Sheffield, securing a points victory over the reliable Peter Buckley.

The novice pro did his stint in the small hall and leisure centres, but soon found himself in the big arenas and stadiums when he kept on winning.

He collected the British welterweight title, as well as a collection of regional belts with the IBF, WBA and WBO to steadily rise up the world rankings, until the Englishman was crowned World welterweight champion in 2014 following a career-best win over Shawn Porter in America.

After multiple defences of his IBF strap, Brook was ranked as the world's best active welterweight by The Ring magazine in May 2017.

Brook then stepped up to middleweight to take on the fearsome Kazakh, Gennady Golovkin, after Chris Eubank Jr. said no to the fight. Kell jumped in at the 11th hour and took up the challenge, which, according to WBA president Gilberto Mendoza Jr., no other 160lbs fighter would accept at the time.

The gutsy challenge was watched by 900,000 fans, but ended in a painful fifth-round KO and a session in surgery for the brave Brit.

Unperturbed, the plucky puncher went back down to welterweight where he took on the likes of elite Errol Spence Jr. and future five-weight world champ Terence Crawford.

Brook had his final professional fight against his archenemy Amir Khan in 2022, putting on a dominant display to stop the "King" in the sixth round, conclusively ending their decade-long rivalry once and for all.

On paper, it was a perfect way to end his career and walk away, and that he did, until now...

Why are people calling for a return?

There are several possible reasons in favour of a return for Brook.

With his final career outing ending in victory, fans may speculate that Brook still has something left in the tank.

He put on a solid, powerful display against Khan, albeit a very faded version of the Bolton boxer, and provided the British fight fans with a night they had been crying out for, for years. Does he have any more performances like that left in him?

"Special K" recently showed off his fine physical form when training for his fight with Eisa Al Dah, where he was set to pay tribute to late British boxing legend, Ricky Hatton.

But the exhibition bout failed to take place after tensions in the Middle East saw the agreement fall through for the event.

All of that intense training and hard work only for it to be cancelled, that's got to create some frustrations and itchy knuckles.

During the camp, Kell clearly got the bug back, rediscovered his love for the grind, and now he wants to put all of that effort to some good use.

There is also the financial element to what he has described will be a "blockbuster fight" for Brook. There is no doubt that a high profile comeback would provide him with a significant payday against an attractive name.

Despite hanging up the gloves over four years ago, he always left the door open for fights with Chris Eubank Jr. or Conor Benn, mentioning their names many times in interviews. Incidentally, it's Eubank Jr's name which is the frontrunner for Brook's return.

He may also feel a sense of unfinished business, along with the struggle many boxers experience in missing the feeling that boxing provides after ending their careers.

It cannot be overlooked that a fighter spending most of their lifetime in a training routine and living around boxing would struggle to fully let go of their competing days after ending their career. Also, the adulation and euphoria that comes with each fight night and victory.

Brook remains a huge name in British boxing, and there is no doubt that a comeback would generate huge interest.

An opportunity to return for one more big night and lucrative payday may just be too much to turn down for the veteran fighter.

Why should Brook stay retired?

There has been much said within the boxing media following talk of Brook’s return as to why he should remain retired.

The main argument revolves around his health and advancing age.

With Brook now being 40-years-old and absent from the sport for over four years, there are huge doubts as to whether he can return to that elite level and fitness, or even get anywhere near to the same fighter he once was.

Concerns have been raised about whether he can cope physically with the demands of the sport after so long away, and the dangers present within the unforgivable nature of prize-fighting if he proves no longer capable of competing at a high level.

Many also raised the point about Brook already achieving so much over the course of his career, with little left to prove.

He became world champion, fought elite-level fighters within his generation and ended his career on the highest of notes with an historic victory over Khan.

The fickle nature of boxing fans points to the fact that whilst they would love to see Brook return, a poor showing or damaging defeat could taint how he is viewed in the eyes of many. They may remember him for his final damaging display instead of his most noteworthy victories.

The question is, does he want to roll the dice one more time and keep the big nights coming, or protect his great achievements and legacy in the eyes of the boxing world?

What could a comeback look like?

Since talk about his return, there has been much speculation about who an opponent could be.

Brook has confirmed that he will be fighting at either middleweight or super-middleweight, his last contest set at a catchweight of 149lbs.

This has inevitably led to rumours of a matchup against Chris Eubank Jr.

The brash Brighton boxer would certainly provide a big name for a comeback, generating huge interest for an all-British showdown, guaranteed top bring in viewers.

It would also make sense for Eubank Jr. after coming off a one-sided defeat against Conor Benn in November, where he was clearly weakened by the weight demands.

The two-weight IBO World champion will be wanting to get back to winning ways, perhaps thinking of ending his career with an emphatic win against a boxing legend.

The question is, would this be a one-off return for Kell Brook as a final send-off, generating a huge financial sum for a comfortable retirement, or will it lead to a genuine return to professional boxing with the Sheffield-born fighter looking to challenge the world champions?

Should it happen?

With arguments for and against the comeback of Kell Brook, it is understandable that many will want to see him back in the ring.

Brook is considered by many as a legend of British boxing and has provided some memorable nights for fight fans over the years.

Additionally, if a former professional fighter believes they are capable of a ring return and are fully invested in doing so, who is anybody to tell them they shouldn’t? But sometimes the mind wants what the body can't deliver.

It is clear why this would appeal to Brook, however there is a clear distinction between wanting to see him back in the ring and believing it should actually be happening.

If the right opponent can be secured along with a substantial financial reward, then it could be considered as a no-brainer. According to trainer Dominic Ingle, Kell turned down a substantial offer from BKB (Bare Knuckle Boxing), so he clearly isn't desperate for the money and appears to be calculating any ring returns carefully.

However, if the comeback is being led by believing he still feels he has something left to prove in the sport and is missing competition, questions should be asked about whether this is the right move.

However, one thing is for sure, whether you agree with it or not, fans will most definitely be watching.

DID YOU KNOW? Kell Brook has been the victim of two stabbing attacks, the first occurred in Sheffield in 2007 when he was just 21. The second was in 2014, while on holiday with his pregnant wife in Tenerife, where Brook was stabbed in the leg in what was reported as an unprovoked attack.