Kell Brook vows to beat Errol Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27

By Boxing News - 03/22/2017 - Comments

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By Scott Gilfoid: IBF welterweight champion Kell “Special One” Brook will be officially defending his title against mandatory challenger Errol Spence Jr. on May 27 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England. The news was announced today by Brook and his promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport. Brook and Spence met at press conference today. During their face off, Spence towered over Brook, staring him down and trash talking him. Brook looked nervous and very afraid. His surgically repaired right eye appeared to be in good shape though. Brook at least has that going for him. Spence looked like he wanted to tear Brook apart right then and there. Brook didn’t look like he was fighting shape, however. I could see a slight double chin for Brook. It’s going to be tough for Brook to lose all that weight to get down to 147 without draining himself. If he doesn’t win the fight, he’ll have a good excuse. He can blame it on the weight.

It’s good that Brook has got his dream to fight at Bramall Lane, as that’s something he’s always wanted to do. However, it’s too bad that he’s facing a guy that will likely beat him by a knockout, because it doesn’t look good for Brook.

I don’t think it’s going to have a good ending for Brook. I’m just saying. Brook would have been better off fighting one of his past opponents Kevin Bizier, Jo Jo Dan or Frankie Gavin at Bramall Lane, because that would be a near guaranteed win.

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Brook-Spence will be piped into the U.S and televised on Showtime Championship Boxing, which is definitely a good thing so that the U.S fans get a chance to see the fight and decide who they feel is the better fighter. We can only hope that there won’t be any controversy involved if the fight goes to a decision. We saw some crazy scoring in Brooks last fight against Gennady Golovkin in which one judge had Brook winning almost every round of the fight and the other two judges had it dead even after 4 rounds.

Spence, 26, has been waiting ages for his opportunity to fight for the IBF welterweight title, as there was a long period where he didn’t know if Brook would vacate his IBF title to move in weight to 154 or not. Spence didn’t career if he had to fight Brook or not. He just wanted his mandated title shot for the IBF 147lb belt.

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Little do fans realize, Brook is taking the fight despite his promoter Hearn having advised him to move up to 154 where it will be easier for him to make the weight. Personally, I think Hearn’s advice might have a double meaning though. Yeah, Brook will have an easier time making 154 than he will 147, but I see the real reason that Hearn wants Brook to move up to greener pastures because it would be temporarily safer for him to move up now and not have to face the knockout machine Spence.

The U.S 2012 Olympian Spence is being called the next star at welterweight by Floyd Mayweather Jr. That’s a huge compliment by Mayweather. It’s also not good for Brook, because he’s got to face him. The only thing that Brook has going for him is the fight will be in his hometown. That could help win rounds based on the cheering from the boxing fans.

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Unfortunately, Spence tends to take the judges out of play by knocking out most of his opponents. That means that Brook is going to need to be looking for his own knockout if he’s smart. He can’t count on running around the ring, and holding all night like he did to beat Shawn Porter in 2014.

“I’m going to show the world that I’m the best welterweight on the planet and I’m going to do it right before my people’s eyes,” said Brook about fighting Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27.

Image: Kell Brook vows to beat Errol Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27

Image: Kell Brook vows to beat Errol Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27

Image: Kell Brook vows to beat Errol Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27

Image: Kell Brook vows to beat Errol Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27

Image: Kell Brook vows to beat Errol Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27

Image: Kell Brook vows to beat Errol Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27

Image: Kell Brook vows to beat Errol Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27

Image: Kell Brook vows to beat Errol Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27

Image: Kell Brook vows to beat Errol Spence at Bramall Lane on May 27