Thursday 26 March 2015 11:20, UK
Kell Brook insists he has been given a 'second chance' at life and says he is relishing the opportunity to defend his IBF welterweight title in his home town of Sheffield this weekend.
Brook takes on mandatory challenger Jo Jo Dan from Canada at the Motorpoint Arena on Saturday, live and exclusive on Sky Sports 1 HD.
But just six months ago, Brook was lying in a Tenerife hospital bed after he was stabbed in the leg while on holiday, with his career seemingly in tatters.
"To be honest with you, I feel I'm at my very best. I've never been as happy, as confident and as fit, mentally," Brook told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Everything is spot on. Every day is a challenge but I come in with a smile on my face because I've got a second chance.
"It's unbelievable because I didn't think I'd be able to walk again. I was lying there thinking 'forget about boxing, that's completely done'. But I'm stood here now defending a world title in a few days' time. That's why I'm standing here smiling. I was born to do this and I'm in tip-top shape.
"I was meant to perform and give back to the fans and Saturday cannot come quick enough for me. It is my first title defence in my home town of Sheffield, I've got Michael Buffer Jr announcing me (into the ring) and I've got a few things up my sleeve for the entrance - it doesn't get any better than that."
Brook says the turmoil of what happened in Tenerife is now firmly behind him and insists he will not give up his world title for anybody.
"I’ve got Jo Jo Dan in front of me," the undefeated Yorkshireman said. "He's the mandatory and he's earned the right to be in the position he is in and there is no doubt that he is going to be 100 per cent ready for this fight.
"I'm going to have my hands full, but all I can say is that the fans are in for a real treat. If he's going to give it like he is saying he is, then believe you me, I'm going to give it because there is nobody that is taking my title away."
The 28-year-old also admitted he is salivating at the prospect of a potential meeting with the winner of the super-fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
"I've always said from the second I walked into the gym that I want to be a world champion and not just a champion at one weight, at many different weights," Brook added.
"If that's against Pacquiao, or Mayweather, that is who I want. I want the fights where fans think I can't win. That's what gets me up for these exciting fights. I'm a world champion and I want to be in with the best of this piping hot division."
Watch Kell Brook v Jo Jo Dan plus an action-packed undercard on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7:30pm on Saturday
