EXPECTATION has greeted almost every move for Errol Spence since he turned professional as one of Americaโs best prospects. The Texan has impressed on the way up, stopping Chris Algieri and Leonard Bundu. But he will prove himself the real deal if he beats Kell Brook in Sheffield on May 27.
โThis is a defining fight for me. Most guys with my pedigree get the title handed to them in a certain type of way. They donโt go across seas to the hometown guy and a real fighter like Kell Brook, thatโs really unheard of. I definitely think I get a lot of credit going overseas and fighting Kell Brook,โ Errol said. โI know itโs not going to be an easy fight for me, itโs going to be a real test, going to his home town and to take his title from him. But itโs something that Iโm willing to do, itโs something that real fighters do, going to other peopleโs towns and fighting the champion. Thatโs what he did, he came to America and thatโs what Iโm going to do. Iโve come to the UK, Iโm going to his hometown to take the title. I know it wonโt be easy but Iโm 100% ready for this fight.โ
In fact, he doubts Brookโs battle with Gennady Golovkin last September will have had a lasting impact on the Yorkshireman. He is expecting Kell to be at his best. โHeโs had nine months to recover, thatโs a long time. Itโs not like he took a beating for 12 rounds. Thereโs guys that have been in tougher wars than that over 12 rounds, nine rounds, basically all out wars and come back to fight. He got hit a lot, he took a beating but it was five or six rounds, you know what Iโm saying. Nine months is enough time for him to recover and recuperate and get back to normal,โ Spence reasoned.
It was a fight the American always thought would come. โHe would have been ducking me if he had come down for Amir Khan but not to defend his title. So I thought he would come down, I wanted him to come down because I wanted to take the belt from the champion, I didnโt want to fight the next available guy. I wanted to fight the champion, the guy who has the belt. I kind of thought he would.โ
โIโve been waiting for a long time now. Something I knew it was going to happen but I had to wait,โ he continued. โThe fight is finally here and Iโm finally getting my opportunity to prove myself and prove I am the best welterweight in the division fighting Kell Brook.
โIโm expecting the environment to be lively. These are hardcore boxing fans in the UK. They really come out to support. I expect him to have a lot of support, I expect me to have a lot of boos, I welcome that. Itโs a lot of pressure on him to perform, in front of his fans and his friends and Iโm not worried about the crowds. Itโs going to be me and him in the ring.โ