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Errol Spence (left) is favored against Kell Brook on Saturday in Sheffield, England. Getty

Two elite welterweights meet on Saturday night when British star Kell Brook (36-1, 25 KOs) defends his IBF title against American Errol Spence (21-0, 18 KOs) at Bramall Lane in Brook's hometown of Sheffield, England. The fight is considered a major test for both boxers after long layoffs.

Brook, 31, has not fought since September when he lost by technical knockout to Gennady Golovkin. Brook's corner threw in the towel in the fifth round when it became apparent that he didn't have much of a shot of defeating Golovkin at 160 pounds. There is pressure on Brook to reestablish himself as a welterweight after he made a name for himself in his tight win over Shawn Porter.

The last time Spence stepped into the ring was in August, when he defeated Leonard Bundu by a vicious knockout in Spence's hometown of New York. Spence has won his last seven fights by knockout and the 27-year-old has never fought beyond the eighth round. He is among boxing's best pound-for-pound fighters but Spence's critics point out that he has fought mostly weak competition.

Both Brook and Spence admitted that this will be the most difficult test of their careers at 147 pounds.

"He’s one hell of a contender, but I will draw energy from the Bramall Lane crowd. I’m even relishing the fact that the bookies have made me the underdog," said Brook in a press conference. "There are question marks over Errol Spence, and I will answer them."

"I'm going to prove myself Saturday night," said Spence. "I have the skills, I have the ability to beat Kell Brook."

Brook is a 2-1 underdog, according to most betting sites.

The undercard includes a WBA super middleweight title fight between George Groves of London and Fedor Chudinov of Russia.

The main event should begin at about 5:30 p.m.

Start Time: 5:00 p.m. ET

TV Channel: Showtime (U.S.), Sky Sports Box Office (U.K.)

Live Stream: Showtime Anytime