By Edward Chaykovsky
Undefeated Olympian Errol Spence (21-0, 18 KOs) believes IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is capable of becoming the biggest name in boxing.
Spence and Joshua were both in competition during the 2012 Olympic games in London. Joshua won a gold medal, while Spence was eliminated and failed to medal during the games.
Joshua (18-0, 18 KOs) will defend his IBF title against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium, with the vacant IBO, WBA titles at stake.
Spence will be in the UK on Wednesday, when he officially announces his May clash with IBF champion Kell Brook, which takes place in Sheffield.
Klitschko has been out of the ring since losing a big upset decision to Tyson Fury in November 2015. Now that Klitschko is 41-years-old and coming back from the biggest inactivity stint of his entire career, Spence believes the moment is right for the torch to be passed.
"I watch British boxing when I can," Spence told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview. "Britain has a lot of great fighters and I think AJ can take over boxing. I think he will beat Klitschko in the middle rounds. Klitschko is crafty but AJ is young and strong heavyweight. This is his time and it's time for Klitschko to pass the torch."
Spence has waited for a long time to get his hands on Brook. The Sheffield fighter is coming of a fifth round TKO defeat at the hands of middleweight king Gennady Golovkin. Brook moved up by two weight divisions for the fight last September. During the contest he suffered a fractured orbital bone that required surgery.
"It was great when I was in the UK, I loved it," Spence said. "It [the Olympic defeat] bugged me for a while but it passed and it has lead me to this point. Everything happens for a reason."
"I know I can beat Kell Brook. It won't be easy but I am the No 1 challenger and have worked my way into that position. It is not a mistake."
