Errol Spence Jr. is widely regarded as boxing's next potential superstar, and now the unbeaten Texan will get the chance to prove himself "The Truth” by fighting British world champion Kell Brook on his home turf.
British 147-pound world champion Kell Brook (left) and unbeaten American southpaw Errol Spence Jr. will meet in one of the year's most anticipated fights May 27 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England. (Matchroom Boxing)
Errol Spence Jr. will make the trip overseas to challenge Brook for his 147-pound world title May 27 at Bramall Lane, an outdoor soccer stadium, in the champ's hometown of Sheffield, England, in a bout that will air live on Showtime.
“This is the fight I’ve waited a long time for, to fulfill a lifelong opportunity to win a world title,” said Spence, a 2012 U.S. Olympian. “Kell is a good fighter, but I feel I’m the best 147-pounder in the world and I’ll prove it.
“I want to take the title from a champion, and a true champion like Kell, and doing it in his backyard is the best way to show I am the best.”
Kell Brook (36-1, 25 KOs) will be making the fourth defense of the world title he earned in August 2014 by winning a majority decision over Shawn Porter in Carson, California.
“Special K” has retained his title with stoppages of Jo Jo Dan, Frankie Gavin and Kevin Bizier over the past two years.
Brook, 30, is coming off his first career loss after moving up two weight classes to challenge 160-pound kingpin Gennady Golovkin in September. The Sheffield native handled himself well early against Triple G, but he sustained a fractured right eye socket before his corner threw in the towel in Round 5.
“I took a lot from the [Golovkin] fight. I stood there and had it out with him,” Brook said. “I’m the biggest 147-pounder out there and I will be bullying them all. I’m too fast, strong and fit, and I will unify the division after beating Spence. There’s only one ‘Truth’ in this fight—and that’s that he’s going to get beat.”
Spence (21-0, 18 KOs) has been a dominant force in his climb up the 147-pound rankings, stopping his last eight opponents to earn his first world title shot.
The 27-year-old southpaw from Desoto, Texas, earned a sixth-round KO of Italy’s Leonard Bundu in Coney Island, New York, in his last fight in August, which gained an audience of more than 6 million viewers on NBC.
“He’s being hyped in the U.S., but we’ve seen it before,” Brook said. “He beat (Chris) Algieri (by fifth-round TKO last April) and Bundu, but he’s never fought an animal like me.
“I want to beat Spence and wipe out the rest of the division. If this guy is the next big thing then the fans will be in for a thrilling night because I am going to bring the heat.”
For a complete look at Brook vs Spence, visit our fight page.
- Topics
- Brook vs Spence
- Errol Spence Jr.
