WELTERWEIGHT contender Errol Spence Jnr is willing to travel to the UK to fight IBF world welterweight champion Kell Brook, should they both get through their upcoming fights.
The Texas southpaw has long been tipped as one of the hottest prospects in boxing and makes a step up in class when he takes on former world super-lightweight champion Chris Algieri on April 16.
The 26-year-old picked up four impressive stoppage victories last year, but wants to make 2016 a year to remember.
“I know I’ll be the next big star in boxing. I just have to stay grounded, do what I’ve been doing and listen to my team. The sky is the limit,” he said,
“I want a world title this year. I want the winner of the Kell Brook vs. Kevin Bizier [March 26] fight. I would definitely go to the UK. I’d fight any of the champions, but I can’t look past Chris Algieri. I’m 100 percent focused on him.
“My career is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. For me, fighting on this platform and getting my story out is a good start. It’s about what I do in the ring, I have to look spectacular and get the knockouts.”
Since turning professional in 2012, Spence has passed every test given to him with flying colours. He despatched the likes of Chris Van Heerden and Phil Lo Greco last year, and is now ready to push on.
“A lot of people have been asking me when I was going to fight top competition. When you look good in the ring, nobody wants to fight you. Established guys don’t want to fight you, so I want to thank Chris Algieri for taking this fight,” he said.
“It would be a major statement if I could stop Chris Algieri. He’s been in there with hard-punchers so I’m looking to make a statement about my power. Especially for me being a young contender, it would just show everything I have in my arsenal and where I’m going in my career.”
Algieri’s two career defeats were decision reverses to Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao. He also edged out Ruslan Provodnikov in an absolute barnstormer in 2014. He has mixed with some quality opposition.
As of yet, Spence has never looked hard pushed in any of his wins but he relishes the chance to display his full arsenal.
“This is a very important fight. Chris Algieri is a tough fighter. All of his fights have been exciting and we’re looking to make it exciting and one-sided. I’m looking to dominate the whole fight.
“From watching Algieri, I know he has good footwork and likes to box. Recently it seems like he’s become more aggressive and standing his ground a bit more. I’m ready for either style.
“I don’t really care if I get tested. I want to perform and show my skill set. I’m going to answers a lot of questions people have in the ring.”
Algieri, 32, ended 2015 with a 10 round decision win over Erick Bone at the Barclays Center, where he meets Spence in April.
While he’s excited at the chance of facing a highly-touted fighter like Spence, Algieri disputes any notion that he is becoming a gatekeeper at 147.
“Spence hasn’t fought anyone. I don’t think he’s fought a guy who’s tried to win. To label me as a gatekeeper against someone who hasn’t made real fights isn’t really a fair distinction,” he said.
“He’s done all his work against guys who were tailor made for him to beat up. He hasn’t fought a guy with footwork or a guy who can box. He hasn’t fought many guys who were in there to win. It will be a really eye-opening experience for him and a lot of people on April 16.”
