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Nick Parkinson
Kell Brook is back with trainer Dominic Ingle and looking to return to action by the end of the year.
Brook (38-2, 26 KOs), 33, who made three defences of the IBF world welterweight title from 2014 to 2017, has not fought since a points win over Australian Michael Zerafa in a final eliminator for the WBA world super-welterweight title in December.
That was Brook’s second win since back-to-back knockout defeats to Errol Spence and Gennady Golovkin and had new trainer, John Fewkes, in his corner rather than long-term mentor Ingle.
But now Brook is back with Ingle, hoping to resume his career after a year out.
“I’m back in training and getting fitter, getting lighting and looking to fight end of November or December,” Brook told ESPN.
“I’ve got my desire back and everyone in the gym is pushing each other. We’ve got [WBO world super-middleweight champion] Billy Joe Saunders, Kid Galahad, Liam Williams, John Joe Joyce and Yves Ngabu all pushing each other.
“I’m looking for big names and I feel I’ve got a lot more to give. I believe at this stage it’s going to be at super welterweight.”
One option for later this year could be for Brook to appear on the undercard of the world heavyweight title rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 7.
Brook has craved a fight against English rival Amir Khan since 2016, but terms have never been agreed and the fight will remain a remote possibility if Brook decides to campaign at super-welterweight, with Khan committed to welterweight.
Brook is No. 3 in the WBA’s super-welterweight rankings, with American Julian Williams holding its world title as well as the IBF belt. Brook is the No. 5 and 6 super-welterweight with the WBO and WBC governing bodies.