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You have to doff your cap to Kell Brook. He likes it tough, jumping from the frying pan to the fire by choosing to fight Errol Spence next up.

I agree with Brook's promoter, Eddie Hearn, that after losing bravely to Gennady Golovkin at middleweight, super-welterweight is a better option for him at this stage of his career.

For a fella that walks around at 13 and a half stone to drop from 185-190lb back to the welterweight limit of 147 is not easy, especially when Spence is waiting in the opposite corner.

If Golovkin was a tough assignment then Spence, arguably the jewel in the crown of Al Haymon — the American lawyer transforming the boxing landscape with his Premier Boxing Championship shows — is not far behind.

Spence is a terrific puncher, knocking people out from long to middle range and improving close up.

(Image: Getty)

I picked him out for stardom a long time ago, proclaiming his talents in this very column last April.

We are seeing now after 21 straight wins, 18 by KO, that he is really starting to blossom.

Brook is underrated.

He put on a terrific display against Golovkin, hurting him early before being bulldozed by the bigger man. We are talking about arguably the best middleweight in the past 40 years, so there is no shame in that, especially after jumping two divisions for the privilege.

(Image: Getty)

He showed in moving up that though 160 pounds is out of reach, 154 makes a lot of sense. So I’m surprised at the risk he is taking.

At 147, Brook is compromised, taking the edge off, and in my view faces another torrid night.

He might be in the fight for six rounds. After that, Spence takes over and will look to close it out late in the fight.

It is a harder fight for Spence if it's in Sheffield, for sure. The crowd, the atmosphere, the unfamiliarity and the travel all mitigate against him, but he would still be my favourite.

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In the States — they are looking at New York or Las Vegas as a venue — Spence is a clear favourite.

I see him cleaning up at 147 before going up to do the same at 154 and even 160, once Golovkin is done.

Hamon values his stars, and none more than this kid.

He’s building an empire and won’t be sending him over here to lose, that’s for sure.

Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone