Kell Brook will defend his IBF welterweight title against Argentina’s Diego Chaves at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena on October 24.
In the rugged Chaves, Brook, who has already convincingly defended his world title against Jo Jo Dan and Frankie Gavin, is likely to face his strongest opponent since becoming a world champion when impressively defeating America’s Shawn Porter in August 2014.
Chaves most recently drew with the respected Timothy Bradley in December, and was disqualified in the ninth round of his previous fight against Brandon Rios for intentionally elbowing his opponent in the face, having already been deducted two points for holding and headbutting.
“Chaves is a rough, tough, durable fighter who is very dangerous,” said Brook, who was unable to fight for almost seven months prior to beating Dan in March, having been stabbed in the leg with a machete while on holiday in Tenerife in September.
“He’s coming off a draw to Tim Bradley, was ahead on the cards against Brandon Rios until he was disqualified and gave Keith Thurman a solid fight so we know what level he has mixed at and how good he is.
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“It’s been a busy year so far boxing Dan in March and Gavin in May. This will be my third defence in seven months, but a busy fighter is a happy fighter and I’m very happy at the moment.
“I’ve seen some of Chaves’ quotes and it’s interesting to see he thinks he can walk me down and overrun me. I don’t think some fighters realise how big I am and how sharp and accurate I punch and I’m looking to make a major statement.”
Chaves revealed that he would be using the rivalry between England and Argentina as motivation for October’s fight.
“I feel that my confidence grows with this challenge, knowing that I will have to face a champion like Kell Brook in his home country in England,” he said.
“We know all the bad blood that exists between Argentina and England, and this will give me much more strength. I will be making history if I defeat an Englishman in his own country.”
