Despite Eye Surgeries, Kell Brook Making Comeback to Benefit Ricky Hatton Foundation
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
London, UK (October 24th, 2025)– Former world Welterweight champion Kell ‘Special K’ Brook, inactive after a sixth-round stoppage win over Amir Khan in 2022, will return to the ring on February 13, 2026, in a benefit bout for the newly created Ricky Hatton Foundation, on a fight card at The Agenda in Dubai Media City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Brook, age 38, 40-3 with 28 knockouts, Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, will fight the opponent Ricky Hatton was scheduled to fight in his comeback when he passed away, Eisa Al Dah, age 46, 8-3 with four knockouts, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Brook sustained serious eye injuries during his career. This included a broken right orbital bone during a world title bout with Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin, which required surgery and a titanium plate. Brook later suffered a second eye injury, this time to his left eye socket during a world title bout with Errol Spence Jr., fighting most of the bout with double vision, which contributed to his stoppage loss in the 11th round, and also required eye surgery. Brook retired after stopping Amir Khan in the sixth round of a bout at Manchester Arena in February 2022. Brook was also stabbed on holiday in Tenerife in 2014.
Brook will still have to pass a comprehensive pre-fight physical in the United Arab Emirates before the bout can be sanctioned, and both his left and right eyes will have to check out. Brook has had no long-term optical issues. Still, the nature of Brook’s previous eye injuries makes his comeback attempt a shock to some. The late Ricky Hatton’s planned comeback may have seemed shocking to many as well, given his history of substance abuse, though he had overcome all issues after his retirement.
Kell Brook is currently in a committed relationship with former Female World Bantamweight champion Ebanie Bridges of Australia, who last fought when she lost her title to Miyo Yoshida in San Francisco, California, in December 2023. They are not married. They are raising their son, Ezerra Ray Brook, who was born in February 2025. They began dating after Brook split with his wife, Lindsey Myers, in May 2022. Brook remains separated from Myers, a former model and actress he married in 2014, and with whom he has three daughters.
Here is the official homepage statement of the newly created Ricky Hatton Foundation, found at www.Rickyhatton.com. Ricky loved people, loved to talk, and above all, loved helping others. The Ricky Hatton Foundation will carry that spirit forward, supporting those facing their own fights with mental illness and ensuring that no one ever has to face those battles alone. Our mission will be to:
Raise awareness of mental health challenges.
Remove the stigma that prevents people from speaking up.
Educate and support through community programs, outreach, and practical resources.
Offer direct support through talking therapies.
Be there, in the corner of those struggling with their mental health, so they know that no one has to fight this alone.
Sport will be at the heart of this work. Just as Ricky used boxing to inspire people, the Foundation will use sport — boxing, football, and beyond — as a powerful vehicle to bring people together, spark conversation, and drive positive change. We thank everyone from the world of boxing and sport who have already reached out and offered their support.
Donations are accepted by clicking at the bottom of the Rickyhattonfoundation.com webpage. There is also a free email signup at the bottom of the homepage to keep interested supporters informed as to the activities of the foundation.
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