May 27, 2017 Kell Brook vs Errol Spence Jr at Bramall Lane Football Ground (outdoors), Sheffield, Yorkshire For the IBF World welterweight title


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Errol Spence Jr stops Kell Brook to become the new IBF welterweight champion

In an unexpected twist of fate, Errol Spence Jr stopped Kell Brook to walk away with his IBF welterweight title Saturday night. The American ended the Brit’s title reign in the 11th round of an epic match.

The Brook vs Errol match took place at Sheffield city’s Bramall Lane grounds. It kicked off at around 10:30 BST in front of a crowd nearing 27,000. Most of these fans were Brits who had come to lend their support to homeboy Brook. The 31 year old boxer was born and bred up in Sheffield. It was therefore only normal that the majority of fans thronging Sheffield FC’s home ground Saturday evening would be his own.

A twist of fate

Errol’s win last night came as a shocker to many. Up until the moment the two boxers made their way into the ring, Errol had not been expected to carry the night. Many boxing pundits and fans had been leaning towards a Brook success.

Brook was being viewed as a much experienced and much decorated boxer than his 27 year old opponent. Up to the minute the bell rang to signify the start of their welterweight title bout, Brook had a record of 37 professional fights against Errol’s 26. Brook’s lists of previous opponents had also been viewed as more stellar in comparison to Errol’s.

How Errol did it

The Brook-Errol fight started out as a battle of equals. Brook looked strong as he meted out his trademark left at his challenger and skillfully tried to evade lethal jabs directed his way. He particularly gave Errol a very hard time in the 6th round with his fierce hooks. Trouble however started for the Englishman when he sustained an eye injury in the mid rounds. It was after this that he became increasingly susceptible to the Long Island man’s well aimed jabs.

Things got even worse for the homeboy in the 10th round. A jab on his already injured left eye sent him reeling into confusion. He however managed to rally on and stay in the fight thanks to support from the home crowd.

The 11th round would however be the all deciding moment. A combination which landed on Brook’s midsection sent him on his knees. The orthodox styled man manage to beat a count of 9 but referee Howard Foster quickly rang the bell to bring the fight to a stop. Errol was already way ahead of Brook on the judges’ scorecards by this time.

Even though the referee’s decision cost Brook his hard-earned title, it also came as a much needed saving grace to him. Brook was evidently under excruciating pain in the 11th round, his swollen left kept blinking as he struggled to see. Brook sustained a serious eye injury eight months ago during a fiercely fought middleweight fight with Gennady Golovkin. He had to undergo an eye socket surgery afterwards.

Following his Saturday night defeat, Brook apologized to the thousands of fans who had braved the night’s cold to show him support. He promised to keep fighting and face the opponents the fans wants him to fight.

In regards to his loss, a section of pundits now believe that Brook will be leaving welterweight and going a weight division higher. They feel there’s nothing much left for the Sheffield native at welterweight level as he had been mainly intent on defending his title. Brook had been making a third attempt defence on his IBF welterweight title.

In spite of losing, Brook’s performance on Saturday night is still laudable. He showed speed and strength and proved that he can easily fight a southpaw. Brook had also further put a lot of preparation towards last night. He had for example had to lose 7 pounds in order to fit the welterweight requirements. You can for now only wait and see Brook (38-2, 25 KOs)’s next professional move.

New heights for Errol

With his Saturday night win at Sheffield, Errol Spence Jr has definitely moved up higher in the boxing ranks. A win against an elite opponent like Brook will certainly serve to bring him even more higher caliber fights. What more? He is now the IBF champion at welterweight. The tactful boxer also holds an unbeaten record of 27-0.