Kell Brook
Brook's long-term boxing future has been thrown into doubt following the attack.

British boxer Kell Brook was left fighting for his life after being stabbed four times while on holiday in Tenerife on Wednesday, the IBF world welterweight champion's family have revealed.

The 28 year old, who had been out at several bars while on holiday with pregnant partner Lindsey, suffered stab wounds to his leg and arm following an argument with a man at around 6am on Thursday morning at the Las Adelfas complex on Golf del Sur.

Canarian Weekly report that following the incident Brook stumbled towards the nearby Sunningdale Village complex before residents and the complex reception called police and an ambulance after being alerted by a visible blood trail and attempts by the fighter to break into a nearby apartment by smashing a chair against a glass door.

Though Brook's injuries were initially diagnosed as non-life threatening his family have confirmed he underwent a "major operation" to save his life after losing "a lot of blood" and is now in a stable condition in a hospital in Santa Cruz.

Brook's parents Terry and Julie as well as Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn have since flown out to Las Canaries while Guardia Civil and forensic officers continue their investigation, which has included cordoning off the scene. Police are yet to make any arrests.

Golf de Sur
Police have cordoned off the scene as forensics continue their investigation.

Matchroom Boxing and the British Boxing Board of Control are still to comment on the incident as the full details continue to be gathered.

A Brook family statement read: "The Brook family and all of team Brook want to thank all the staff at Tenerife hospital for their great work. The operation was a success and Kell is awake and starting his recovery from this horrendous attack.

"We thank you all for your well wishes and support. Thank you."

The episode represents the second time Brook has been stabbed following an incident in 2007 when the Sheffield-born boxer suffered side and buttock injuries while out in his home town, forcing a six-month absence from his sport.

However, having seemingly sustained far more serious damage while relaxing on the Spanish holiday island with his partner and daughter, Brook's long-term boxing future is riddled in uncertainty just weeks after winning his maiden world title after defeating Shawn Porter in California.

The attack on Brook follows former European champion Jamie Moore being shot five times while on holiday in Marbella in August.

After becoming the first British fighter in 28 years to win a world title in the United States with a unanimous points decision win over Porter – to extend his record to 33-0 – Brook has talked up potential future bouts with Amir Khan and the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Promoter Hearn had indicated talks have already begun regarding a potential fight with Khan at Wembley Stadium in May 2015, ahead of Brook's homecoming bout on 6 December against an as yet unnamed opponent.