A true 50-50 fight that know one can truly predict

At Bramall Lane this Saturday Kell (Special One) Brook will make his fourth defence of his IBF Welterweight against the young American Errol (The Truth) Spence Jr and in what is a mouthwatering 50-50 fight that has most of boxing talking and the best thing is no one can make an accurate prediction (including me). I’ll preview the fight and pick reasons either can win.

Errol Spence Jr: The moment of truth for Americas next big hopeful: 

For the young man from Dallas Texas this is when we’ll find out when he is the real deal or just a hype job (as some fans like to say). From the the day he turned pro people in American boxing have spoken nothing but praise of Spence and touted him as the next big thing to carry the sport stateside. Spence competed at the 2012 London Olympics and got to the quarter finals in what was a shambolic showing from team USA and he was arguably their best guy. Spence carries devastating combination punches and a power left hand especially with him being a southpaw. He has taken out all his tests with near ease. His biggest wins include Chris Can Heerden, Phil Lo Greco, Chris Algieri and Leonard Bundu. The last two victories were the most impressive with nobody stopping Algieri including Manny Pacquiao and then stopping Bundu early something domestic rival Keith (One Time) Thurman couldn’t do so Spence has some special about him. Under the wing of trainer Derick James, Spence seems destined for big things but must get past Brook who will bring the thunder once that bell goes on Saturday. This fight will be the biggest test for young Texas man and the fact that he’s willing to travel all the way to Brooks hometown in Sheffield tells you how confident Spence is. Everyone in boxing will be eagle eyed to this to see if Spence can sink or swim with his first title shot in front of him. only time will tell but I can’t wait.

Kell Brook: The Special one who won’t back down from anybody: 

Kell Brook should be arguably one of our best fighters having held his title for three years but things have held him back since his big moment three years ago but now he has his chance to make himself big again. Brook who is the hometown boy in this fight has always worked and trained extremely hard since he walked into the famous Ingle gym in Sheffield and watched Prince Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson and Ryan Rhoodes training. Brook is a student of the Ingle style and can bang with both hands. He has come up slowly and built a huge following in his home city and now has the an occasion to match that following. For Brook it’s been a near up and down career having always been in the shadow of domestic rival Amir Khan (with whom he shares a big rivalry with) people noticed him less and whilst with Frank Warren Brook always felt like a leftover to Khan. Since joining Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Brook has built his name through big nights in Sheffield and not being afraid to take on the avoided names in the sport. Having been IBF mandatory for a year and a half and missing his chance three times through two injuries and his opponent as well Brook took his chance when he faced (Showtime) Shawn Porter who everyone was touting as a future star (sound familiar). Brook went to California and ripped the title from Porter with a points decision victory and most people in the sport were stunned at this. Afterwards the sky was the limit for Brook until a horrific incident Tenerife (Spanish island) where he was stabbed and his career was in jeopardy. But fortunately Brook made a full recovery. Since then Brook found it difficult to get the big names in the Welterweight division to fight him, names such as Thurman, Danny Garcia, Khan, Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. After a few defences of his title Brook surprised everyone (including me) when he agreed to go up to Middleweight to take on the King of the division Gennedy (GGG) Golovkin. With this fight most people wrote him off but on the night he gave one hell and effort and caught GGG with big punces. Unfortunately a damaged eye socket meant Brook had to be pulled out in the fifth round but he got huge amounts of credit for that fight. Now Brook takes on a young hungry lion in Spence and a lot of people didn’t think he’d take the fight but once again the man with Sheffield steel proved he doesn’t back away from anyone. If Brook wins this then it will be more big fights for him lose and he could end up in the who needs him club (a term to describe boxers who are avoided). Brook will have thousands of his own fans cheering him and on Saturday we’ll if the special one can deliver a special performance.

Verdict:

This is a real tough one to predict and I’m perhaps going to guess it. The fight will be won by who wins the early rounds. I’m going for Brook late stoppage. I think Brook has less pressure on him with Spence being the favourite and Brook will wear him down and stop him between 8-11 rounds. I hope this is as good as the hype because it’s worth it we have a true 50-50 fight and I can’t wait to be there.