By Jake Donovan

Kell Brook continues to crave a big fight, but instead is left with the matchup simply placed in front of him. His welterweight title defense versus mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier comes more from necessity than desire, but nevertheless is what serves as the headlining attraction Saturday evening at Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England.

The bout will air live during primetime on Sky Sports in the UK.

Brook (35-0, 24KOs) attempts the second defense of the welterweight strap he acquired in a 12-round decision win over then-unbeaten titlist Shawn Porter in Aug. '14. The high point of his career was followed by a horrific moment in his life, as he the victim of a machete attack while on vacation in Tenerife last September.

The wounds suffered put him on the injured list for the remainder of the year, enjoying a triumphant ring return in this very venue last March - exactly 52 weeks ago to the day of Saturday's fight. His first defense came in the form of a 4th round knockout of mandatory challenger Jo Jo Dan, who earned the title fight with a pair of wins over Bizier, including a 12-round split decision in Dec. '14.

Brook's lone other title defense came last May, scoring a 6th round stoppage of Frankie Gavin. Efforts were made to face Argentina's Diego Chaves last October, but Brook suffered an untimely injury, leaving him with just two fights in a water-treading 2015 campaign.

Bizier (25-2, 17KOs) rebounded with two losses to Dan with a pair of victories in 2015. Propelling him back to the title picture was a career-best performance in a shockingly one-sided 10th round injury stoppage of previously unbeaten Fredrick Lawson last November in Miami, Florida.

The victory over Lawson served as Bizier's debut in the United States. Saturday's showdown with Brook marks his first career title fight as well as his first pro ring appearance in the United Kingdom.

krikya360.com STAFF PREDICTIONS: KELL BROOK vs. KEVIN BIZIER

Zachary Alapi (Brook KO7): Don't assume that Brook will have an easier time with Bizier just because the Quebecer has twice lost to Jo Jo Dan (who Brook stopped in four rounds). Bizier looked excellent in halting Fredrick Lawson, employing relentless pressure and a devastating body attack. Bizier understands that he needs to take the fight inside and make things ugly against Brook. He'll try to do this, and the fight will have some genuinely entertaining exchanges as a result; unfortunately for Bizier, though, Brook is simply on another level.

Miguel Assuncao (Brook KO4): It feels like Brook is always one fight away from a 'huge fight'. Brook has no choice but to face his mandatory challenger in order to keep his IBF title but we're unlikely to learn anything new about the Sheffield man against Kevin Bizier. The Canadian challenger has twice lost to Jo Jo Dan who was obliterated by Brook in four rounds nearly a year ago to the day and a repeat performance is on the cards. Hopefully a stoppage win will tempt the likes of Tim Bradley or Jessie Vargas into a fight deserving of being a world title contest.

Rene Ricardo Bernal (Brook KO6): I expect Brook to completely outclass and dominate Bizier. That won't stop Bizier from coming forward until Brook scores the stoppage.

Jake Donovan (Brook KO5): Strange as it may sound, but I believe Bizier learned more from – and improved upon – his two losses than Jo Jo Dan did in winning those fights. He showed a new level of dedication versus Fredrick Lawson, resulting in by far the best performance of his career. Unfortunately, everything that worked well in that matchup plays right into the hands of a top-level talent such as Brook, who – barring the worst documented case of ring rust – should enjoy a relatively easy night’s work, delivering a showcase performance in a continued yet stalled quest to establish himself as the class of a loaded welterweight division.

Lyle Fitzsimmons (Brook TKO8): Bizier is a big, strong guy, but Brook might just be the best 147-pound fighter in the world. Unless craziness ensues, all-around talent usually beats ruggedness. Look for Kell to do a paint job and ultimately end it by accumulation.

Cliff Rold (Brook KO): This is a spotlight fight. Brook will shine here.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Brook KO6): Brook has a tune up. I do not think Bizier stops Brook’s advancement towards a big fight USA. Kell needs a victory to keep his name in the mix and will look great in this fight keeping that dream alive.

Shawn Smith (Brook KO5): Kevin Bizier is a gritty, tough fighter who doesn't do anything particularly well. The sharp punching Brit will dominate this fight and get a mid-round stoppage.

Alexey Sukachev (Brook KO8): Brook ain't called Special K for nothing. His win over Jo Jo Dan is telling - Bizier, who lost twice to the Romanian - will not be a harder practice but maybe a bit longer thanks to his ruggedness. Still an easy work for the Englishman.

Totals:

Kell Brook – 7

Kevin Bizier – 0

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox