Kell Brook vs. Errol Spence Jr. Officially Announced for May 27 on Showtime

The sport of boxing continues to deliver the sort of fights that fans want and on Wednesday afternoon, yet another massive showdown was made official. Kell Brook will put his IBF welterweight title on the line against undefeated challenger Errol Spence Jr. on May 27 at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England.

Brook (36-1, 25 KOs) will look to be successful in his fourth defense of the title he snatched away from Shawn Porter in August 2014. The Sheffield native has had tremendous difficulty in landing major fights against other elite combatants. After defending the belt against mandatory challengers, Brook stepped up two weight classes to challenge unbeaten middleweight king Gennady Golovkin last September, but his gamble came up short. He says he learned a lot from that bout and has his sights solely on Spence.

“I took a lot from the ‘GGG’ fight, “Brook said at Wednesday’s press conference to formally announce the fight. “I stood there and had it out with him. 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.

“He’s being hyped in the U.S., but we’ve seen it before,” Brook added about Spence. “He beat [Chris] Algieri and [Leonard] 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.”

Spence (21-0, 18 KOs) has looked spectacular since turning pro and has grown into one of the hottest young lions in the sport. While he has taken on several sturdy opponents as of late, he’s never faced anyone with the same caliber as Brook, and that’s something Spence is anxious to.

“This is the fight I’ve waited a long time for, to fulfill a lifelong opportunity to win a world title,” Spence said at the presser. “Kell is a good fighter, but I feel I’m the best 147 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 like he did it is the best way to show I am the best.

“I’ve sparred with great fighters and gone toe-to-toe, I’ve got the skills to win this,” Spence continued. “I’ve shown patience to get here and now I’m right at the door. I’m strong, fast and hit hard too – I’m a big welterweight.”

Showtime will televise the bout live.