By Ryan Burton

A star emerged in the boxing world on May 27th when Errol Spence (22-0, 19 KOs) captured the IBF welterweight title by stopping Kell Brook in 11 rounds in enemy territory. The 28-year-old traveled to the United Kingdom to become a world champion for the first time in a clash televised in the United States by Showtime.

With the victory Spence joins the ranks of WBO champion Manny Pacquiao and WBA/WBC champion Keith Thurman as the elite of the welterweight division.

About a week prior to Spence's victory, Thurman had surgery on his right elbow and will be out of action for at least six months. He congratulated Spence on social media after the fight but cautioned the Texas native that he cannot be king of the division until they face each other.

Former welterweight champion Andre Berto, who is close friends with Thurman, said Keith needs to make sure that he is fully healthy before he faces the powerful Spence.

"If I was him I would take his time and come back when he is really healed up and not get caught up in the hype of Errol Spence because you want to make sure you are 100% for that kid. That is what you want to do," said Berto.

As for the social media exchange, Spence accepted Thurman's challenge to "see him in the ring." Berto believes that all the talk about Spence being the next star in the sport has got both fighters competitive juices flowing and that is what lead to Thurman's tweet.

"That was the young pride talking early. The kid go out here and showed out and Keith of course he had to bite but before that, Keith wasn't really talking about Spence. He said he had to pay his dues, this and that. Once all that talk is going and once that hype starts to overshadow you a little bit you are going to bark back up. Which you should. Let him know, listen right here, 'you gonna have to see me'," Berto stated.

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