Boxing: Victorious Brook issues challenge to Khan

Sheffield’s Brook thrilled his home city with a fourth-round stoppage of Romanian Jo Jo Dan, crowning his comeback from a life-threatening stabbing in Tenerife last summer.

It was Brook’s first fight since beating Shawn Porter to win the world strap he had long coveted, and he left the baying crowd in little doubt as to who he wants next.

“If you’re watching, come and get in this ring with me,” Brook told Khan. Promoter Eddie Hearn added that Wembley Stadium was free for the pair on June 13.

Speaking about the fight, which saw him floor Dan four times, Brook said: “It was truly amazing to walk out in front of all my fans and I didn’t think I would ever box again. Here I am filling arenas. I can’t put into words how much it means to be back and defending a world title. It means everything to me.

“It was hard there holding it together and seeing everyone there on their phones. This is where I belong and I’m sorry that I kept you waiting but I hope you had a good night and enjoyed world championship boxing. I’m back baby.

“I caught him with some good clean shots but he kept getting back up. I’ve been out for a while. There’s much more to come from me. That’s just to knock the cobwebs off and I will be back out in June in a massive fight. I’m back.”

On his leg, which was badly damaged in the stabbing, he added: “The leg feels fine. The leg feels as good as the other leg. There is no problem with the leg.”

Brook landed three early right hands against Dan which were more sharp than damaging. As the round progressed they had more intent, though, with one in particular catching Dan cleanly in the final minute of the opener.

Brook’s range-finding left set up a hurtful right and then Dan was put down by a sharp uppercut. The visitor got to his feet but Brook took his time and had his man down again with another straightforward, clean right hand.

Dan got up a second time as Brook went looking for the stoppage. The challenger looked to have nothing left, however, and it was early in the round.

Another right cross landed and even a jab had Dan’s legs wobbling. Brook showed maturity to be patient, with 10,000 baying fans on their feet.

Dan somehow saw the bell to end the round and was desperate to regroup in the intervening 60 seconds. He showed his heart, too, coming out fighting in the third despite looking out of his depth against the hometown favourite.

Brook began swinging wildly looking to hurt his man again. Eventually one landed, but again Dan swallowed it and saw the round out.

Dan came out fighting in the fourth and was actually landing occasionally, although Brook remained in charge. He was down again as the seconds ran out in the fourth, a combination culminating in a right putting him to the canvas.

As the bell rang for the end of the round, he was down again - but again beat the count - before his corner decided enough was enough and asked referee Earl Brown to halt the bout.