Kell Brook is doing his popularity no harm whatsoever.
One of fight fans’ biggest grievances with modern boxing is how seldom we get to see the genuine best take on the genuine best but Brook is a throwback to a more entertaining era.
The IBF welterweight champion is set to defend his 147lbs title against Errol Spence Jr. in the UK this year, returning to his more familiar weight class after an unsuccessful experiment at middleweight opposite the heavy-handed Gennady Golovkin.
Many doubters believed that Brook would not return to welterweight to defend his title, particularly due to the fact that the mandatory challenger for his IBF crown just so happened to be one of the most daunting prospects in the division in the form of the undefeated Spence Jr.
On Monday, confirmation came that terms had been agreed between the two fighters’ camps while announcement of a date and venue is expected to arrive sooner rather than later.
Terms agreed for @SpecialKBrook v @ErrolSpenceJr -full announcement coming soon -fight will take place in the UK. Best fight in the division
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) February 13, 2017
Brook’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, had previously said that he would prefer the Sheffield fighter to compete at 154lbs rather than drain himself to make 147lbs again and that brought about rumours that Amir Khan would be Brook’s next opponent.
But Spence Jr. it is and the fact that the bout may not come to fruition until the early summer would lead you to believe that Sheffield United’s ground, Bramall Lane, could host the fight.
Spence, a London 2012 Olypmic quarter-finalist, has compiled a perfect professional record of 21 victories, with 18 of his wins coming by way of knockout.
And the fact that Brook opted to embrace the struggle and return to defend his title against one of the most feared competitors available earned him plenty of praise from fans as a lesser fighter would have vacated in the face of such a tough ask.
@EddieHearn fair play to @SpecialKBrook for taking the @ErrolSpenceJr fight instead of running up in weight
— FootLong (@XentaDel) February 13, 2017
Fair play @SpecialKBrook true champ ?? https://t.co/nNzoMpDMvk
— Luke O’Sullivan (@MrLukeOSullivan) February 13, 2017
@SpecialKBrook v @ErrolSpenceJr is a harder fight than @amirkingkhan. Fair play to Brook for taking it. True champ. @EddieHearn
— Will (@WillieLetiss) February 13, 2017
Brook vs Spence is a great fight. Genuine 50/50. Fair play to @SpecialKBrook as well, not scared of anyone.
— Milo Clay (@mclaymaker) February 13, 2017
@EddieHearn @SpecialKBrook @ErrolSpenceJr nice one, think Spence comfortably takes this one but fair play to Brook for taking it. Dangerous
— Lucaaa (@lucabasso1) February 13, 2017
Fair play to @SpecialKBrook not shying away from the hard graft. Making weight & the fight itself will be tough but I fancy him for the TKO?
— Lewis Whitehead (@LWhitehead92) February 13, 2017
@SpecialKBrook can’t wait for this one. Fair play it will kill KB getting back down to 147. Kudos to him though. Absolute warrior. #boxing
— Ryan Mathew Adams (@ryanmathewadams) February 13, 2017
Fair play two massive fights back to back pure warrior gives fan what they wany don’t duck no one! @SpecialKBrook ???? #Champ #Boxing
— #FAWAZOUT (@NFFCMANN) February 13, 2017
