Kell Brook and Errol Spence Jr will be (Sheffield) United in Summer

The stage is now set for Sheffield's biggest boxing event for more than a year.
Errol Spence a- preparing for Bramall LaneErrol Spence a- preparing for Bramall Lane
Errol Spence a- preparing for Bramall Lane

Confirmation is expected soon for the Kell Brook v Errol Spence showdown, at Bramall Lane, on May 27.

The contest, like so many involving Sheffield’s IBF hero, seemed to have been held up, this time after questions were raised over steroids.

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Brook, 30, was first to post a social media photo of his certificate, passing cleanly with VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.)

There then followed what seemed an awkward silence from America - until Spence’s camp responded with a similar photo, showing he too was clean.

It was the perfect counter punch.

Now, promoter Eddie Hearn has to wait only for venue and safety license conformation from Sheffield Council to stage the TV Pay Per View show at Sheffield United’s ground - home of Brook’s soccer favourites.

Boxer Kell Brook and Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Denise Fox. Picture Scott MerryleesBoxer Kell Brook and Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Denise Fox. Picture Scott Merrylees
Boxer Kell Brook and Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Denise Fox. Picture Scott Merrylees

The last big Brook crowd was at Sheffield Arena, 12 months ago, when Brook easily dismantled mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier in two rounds.

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He will find Spence, 27, a much greater threat to his welterweight dominance.

The unbeaten rival says he intends to target Brook’s body and knock him out in his own back yard. “Hopefully, the judges are fair. But we’re not going to leave it in the judges’ hands,” Spence told Fighthub.com.

“I’ve got to stick to my game plan and do what I have to do and that’s to win and look impressive. The fans will know who won at the end of the night. I have to work the body early. Later on, he might get tired.

Boxer Kell Brook and Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Denise Fox. Picture Scott MerryleesBoxer Kell Brook and Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Denise Fox. Picture Scott Merrylees
Boxer Kell Brook and Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Denise Fox. Picture Scott Merrylees

“The body shots play a toll in any fight. I’ll bring it back upstairs, and hopefully I’ll stop him.”

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Brook beat Shawn Porter to win the belt back in August 2014.

Not surprisingly, perhaps, Porter backs his American colleague to win in South Yorkshire. “It’ll be a good fight. I feel that he’s ready,” Porter told Thaboxingvoice.com.

“A lot of people knock his lack of experience and that he may have been pushed into the fight too soon. I have a feeling he can win the belt.”

Brook, who is thought to be returning to Sheffield from his five week training camp in Canary Islands next week, will be in peak shape for the contest.

His view has always been that it took a lot to win it - and he is in no mood to lose it.