Kell Brook [40-3, 28KOs] has again spoken of a possible return to the ring.
He last fought in February 2022, when he convincingly stopped his long-time rival Amir Khan in the sixth round at the Manchester Arena.
Despite his retirement, swiftly after one of his finest victories, Brook has regularly been linked with potential future fights against Liam Smith, Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.
Speaking at an event celebrating his former trainer Brendan Ingle, he revealed that he is continuing to struggle with retirement.
“The challenge,” he told the former professional fighter Nicki Smedley. “People are saying I can’t do this, and I like to prove them wrong and do it.
“That is what my heart is saying. It is in me; it’s in my blood; I have done it [boxing] all my life.
“Boxing is my life, and it is hard to close the door on it. You see these fighters and you begin to think I can beat all these guys.”
Brook’s crowning glory came in August 2014 when he defeated Shawn Porter to win the IBF welterweight title.
He insisted that returning to a boxing ring would be a competitive decision, rather than one driven by financial gain.
“It is not about the money,” he said. “I have enough money. It’s about the challenge. It’s about seeing what I have left and I believe I still have it.”
“I believe 100 per cent I can beat all the fighters named today.
“Having two years off… A bit like when [“Sugar” Ray] Leonard beat [Marvin] Hagler. People will think, ‘I don’t think he has got it anymore. He’s had two years off’, and then I go in and show the masterclass.
“I want to show I am still The Special One.”