Brook: Spence Made Big Mistake, Bit Off More Than He Can Chew

LONDON - Britain's Kell Brook will defend his IBF welterweight world title against mandatory challenger Errol Spence Jr. at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground on May 27.

"It's long been a dream of mine to fight outdoors at Bramall Lane and I'm pleased to do that in the biggest fight in the welterweight division," the 30-year-old told reporters on Wednesday.

Brook has returned to the welterweight division after the previously unbeaten fighter was bludgeoned by Kazakhstan's Gennady Golovkin in a one-sided WBC and IBF middleweight title bout in London last September.

Texas-based Spence, 27 years old, has won all his 21 fights, 18 by knockout.

"I saw many people talk about how I would avoid Errol Spence," said Brook, who has won 36 of his 37 fights and will be making his fourth defence of a title won in 2014.

Brook responded on Sky Sports News HQ after the press conference, saying: "He sounds very confident.

"He's American and they've given him a lot of hype. He's made a big mistake He has been looking very good in fights, but he's bitten off more than he can chew when he steps in with me.

"He's got some skills, a good amateur pedigree and he looks the part, but he's come to the final hurdle and that's me.

"I'm champion of the world, and it's a dream come true fighting at Bramall Lane. I'm going to get so much energy from the fans, and I'm on point with the weight."

"My team wanted me to move up 154," he said, "but it's taken me so long to get a world title with my injuries and the politics in boxing. I eventually got it, and just to give it up is not in my nature. It made me dig my heels in even more, and I'm determined to defend what's rightfully mine."