Kell Brook vs Eisa al Dah Odds: ‘Special K’ returns to honour late Ricky Hatton

British boxing legend Kell Brook will return to the ring on Friday, February 13 at Dubai Media City in the UAE. The Sheffield superstar will don the gloves opposite 46-year-old Eisa Al Dah in a tribute fight for the late icon, Ricky ‘Hitman’ Hatton.  Al Dah had been set to meet Hatton in December, with the Manchester man returning to the pro game at the age of 46. 

After the tragic passing of the beloved boxer, Brook is returning on a night that will pay loving tribute to the memory of ‘The Pride of Hyde’. Read on for our Kell Brook vs Eisa Al Dah odds.

Kell Brook vs Eisa Al Dah Fight Preview

Normally, a former champion with a secure legacy coming back after three years out of the ring would be a cause for concern. Brook is 39 years of age, reigned as IBF welterweight champion of the world and fought era-defining names. ‘Special K’ closed his career with a knockout win over Amir Khan in a fight that had been speculated about for years. Why return?

The answer in this case is remarkably simple. Brook resisted the post-retirement demands for a ‘Last Dance’ against the likes of Conor Benn and Manny Pacquiao or even a lucrative Amir rematch. But Brook is not doing this for legacy or money. The Sheffield star is doing this for a friend.

The boxing world was rocked to its core when the news emerged on September 14 that Ricky ‘Hitman’ Hatton had passed away at the age of 46. Ricky was in training for a fight in Abu Dhabi in December against Al Dah, his first official outing since 2012. The two-weight world champ had been through the ropes in 2022 for a well-received exhibition with Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera. But this was set to be a full professional fight. 

It is understood that the Brook fight will also be a pro bout rather than an exhibition. The event takes place in February and has been envisaged as a tribute night to Hatton. The promoters state that the event will benefit the newly-formed Ricky Hatton Foundation, a mental health charity created in honour of the fighter.

Brook himself has been open about struggling with his mental health after retiring from boxing. Before, during and after fights there are opinions, insights and obsessions about each and every fighter. But when they retire, too many of our greats become forgotten men and women. Even ones who reached the very top. Mental illness does not care if you have millions in the bank and belts on the mantel. No boxer is immune, no matter how great.

Brook was a great boxer, of that there is no question. The Khan knockout was the icing on the cake, but came after the prime of both men. During his peak, Kell really put the special in ‘Special K’.

The majority decision victory over Shawn Porter in which Brook clinched the IBF welterweight crown is one of the great British road wins. A shade under 2,000 miles from his Sheffield home, Brook’s monument to determination and disruption takes some beating. 

Jo Jo Dan, Kevin Bizier and former world amateur champion Frankie Gavin fell in title defences before Brook shot for the moon. Looking back, moving up two weight divisions to face terrifying unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin was a bad idea. But the bravery displayed by the Brit as ‘GGG’ ground him down in six rounds was a testament to his heart if not his self-preservation.

Losses to Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford bring no shame, considering the fact those two were still top of the welterweight tree after Brook’s retirement. But the Sheffield legend racked up wins over Sergey Rabchenko, Michael Zerafa, Mark DeLuca and Khan before calling it quits, seemingly for good, in 2022.

But Brook is breaking retirement. This time, it is for good reason. Al Dah would not have got near him in his prime and, at 46, I still doubt that the hometown hero has the measure of Brook in 2026. 

But ultimately, this night is about celebration. A legend is gloving up to pay homage to one of his fallen brethren. His opponent gets a banner night opposite one of the greats in front of his home crowd. The 8-3 Al Dah will be aiming for his Rocky moment. Of course he will. But ultimately, February 13 will be less about Italian Stallions and more about one unforgettable Hitman.

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