KELL BROOK has denied retirement claims, revealing he wants to “dance under the lights” again with WBO champion Terence Crawford his target.
Rumours in America claimed the Sheffield hero, 33, was contemplating retirement having not fought since he laboured past Aussie Michael Zerafa in December.
However, the ex-IBF welterweight champ took to social media to confirm the reports are false – insisting his team are pushing to ‘secure big fights’.
Brook said: “I just wanted to address some speculation circulating around about my retirement.
“I’m not sure where these reports have surfaced from but I have NOT retired.
“I have had some time away from the ring but me and my team have been proactively looking to secure them big fights.”
Brook saw a mega-money clash with arch rival Amir Khan, 32, fall through this year after the Bolton hero rejected his nemesis in order to challenge pound-for-pound star Crawford.
Khan suffered a bizarre sixth round stoppage to the WBO boss in April at Madison Square Garden after the American, 31, was adjudged to have hit the challenger with a low blow.
Brook was ringside in New York to watch his foe be pulled out of the title challenge by trainer Virgil Hunter – and immediately the Sheffield man announced plans to fight Crawford himself.
The 33-year-old revealed he still wants a shot at bettering Khan and taking on the switch hitting maestro Crawford – insisting he is remaining in the sport for these “big” challenges.
Brook added: “We went to New York because we want to fight Crawford.
“These are the level of fights that get me excited and I’d only ever want to bow out on a high, putting on an exciting show for my fans who have always shown me incredible support!
“If these BIG fights can be made, then I’d love nothing more than to dance again under them bright lights.”
