By Matt Bevan (@Matt_Bevan68)

IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook and mandatory challenger Errol Spence Jr met today in a fiery encounter at Bramall Lane in Sheffield ahead of their scheduled 27th May clash on Sky Sports Box Office.

Brook will be making the fourth defence of the title he ripped from Shawn Porter’s grasp back in 2014, whilst for US 2012 Olympian Spence it represents his tilt at a world title in the pro ranks.

“The Special One” had the option to move up in weight and vacate his title after his loss to middleweight king Gennady Golovkin last September, but said that eventuality was never happening when he was presented with the Spence challenge.

Brook remarked at the conference: “The only Truth that is happening in this fight is that Errol Spence is getting beat. I’m the biggest welterweight out there and I will bully him in the ring on May 27th when I will be a beast in that ring.

“I was a six year old when I first came to the Lane with my uncle and I’m overwhelmed that I can finally fulfil my dream and defend my world title here. There was no way I was giving up that title, as I worked so hard to get in the first place, so he’s got to come to my backyard and take it from me.

“The Americans come here with a lot of hype, like Jeff Lacy did, and he looks the part at the minute. But he has never taken on an animal like me and after I beat Spence, my aim is to wipe out the rest of this 147lb division and unify it.”

Spence was quick to retort: “I’m going to do what true champions do and beat the real champion. I don't want to win a world title when it is vacant. Kell is good, but I’m better and this is my lifelong dream to be a world champion. I’ve waited a long time for this and I will take his title on May 27th.”

Brook’s trainer Dominic Ingle finished by saying: “If you watched “GGG” at the weekend, you can see he isn't the same fighter after he fought Kell. In fact Kell knocked the stuffing out of him and we provided the blueprint for how to beat him.

“Kell loves fighting southpaws, it’s probably easier for him than an orthodox fighter. Errol Spence will learn a lot on the 27th May, but it won’t be his night. He’s billed as the best in America at 147, but I don’t think he is. They need to re-think their game-plan if they believe they are going to win.”