Keith Thurman
In January 2016, it was announced that after nearly a year without fighting, Brook would make a third defence of his IBF title against mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier (25–2, 17 KOs) at the Sheffield Arena on 26 March. Hearn and Bizier's promoter Yvon Michel agreed a deal to avoid purse bids. Bizier became the mandatory after knocking out Fredrick Lawson on 7 November 2015 in Miami, Florida. Brook stopped Bizier in the second round. En route to landing a 'big fight', Brook rocked Bizier with a left to the jaw and then further dazed him with a series of hooks. After taking a count, Bizier did not look that interested in carrying on and Brook unleashed a combination that left the Canadian crumpled in a heap. This was Brook's second mandatory fight since winning the IBF title in 2014. After the bout, Brook and Hearn talked about potential unification fights against the likes of Tim Bradley, Danny García, Keith Thurman and Jesse Vargas.