Kell Brook is on collision course with Errol Spence Jr. after deciding to stay at welterweight.
The Briton contemplated stepping up to light-middleweight after jumping two weight divisions to challenge world middleweight No. 1 Gennady Golovkin in September.
Brook (36-1, 25 KOs), 30, was stopped in five rounds by Golovkin but will remain IBF world welterweight champion after discussing his options with promoter Eddie Hearn.
Brook is recovering from surgery on a broken eye socket, sustained against Golovkin, and must face unbeaten American Spence (21-0, 18 KOs), the mandatory challenger for his IBF belt in his next fight likely to be spring next year.
“I had a meeting with Eddie and told him I am not prepared to give up my title,” said Brook.
“I know there are options at 154 pounds and I may even be more suited there but I am not willing to give up what I fought so hard for. I want the unification fights but if they aren’t there then it will be Spence next for me in a big UK show.”
Brook won the belt from Shawn Porter on points in 2014 and then had three low-profile stoppage defences before his biggest payday against Golovkin.
The British boxer has also said he is interested in facing Filipino Manny Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 KOs), who reclaimed his WBO version of the world title last weekend, and there is big interest in the UK to see him fight compatriot and welterweight rival Amir Khan (31-4, 19 KOs).
“I spoke through various options with Kell and he was adamant that he would not relinquish his welterweight world title,” said Hearn.
“In an ideal world, he would unify the division against Manny Pacquiao but the Spence fight is also one that really excites him and fight fans. That could be a big fight here in the UK and with the 75-25 split in place we would be very confident of bringing that fight to Sheffield.”
