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It's official - IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (36-0, 25 KOs) will be taking on WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs) in a title unification match. Vargas' manager Cameron Dunkin informed ESPN that Vargas officially signed his contract for the fight yesterday. The bout will take place at Bramall Lane in Brook's hometown of Sheffield, England, but doesn't have a firm date just yet. It will likely be held on either Aug. 27 or Sep. 3.
"It's really exciting," Dunkin said. "It's a great opportunity for Jessie. It's a fight think he can win. I love his attitude. He's so positive. He's training like a madman. He's really serious about getting this win. It's not just the payday. He wants to win the fight. I love the attitude. Win, lose, whatever, he's so confident in himself. I'm really proud of him."
Vargas, 27, won the vacant WBO world title by knocking out Sadam Ali this past March in a rather shocking outcome. It wasn't so shocking that Vargas actually won the fight, but for a fighter with a 36% knockout rate, he sure dished out heavy damage to a quality opponent.
Brook, 30, will be making the fourth defense of his IBF title since taking it away from Shawn Porter in Summer 2014. In reality, though, this will be his first defense against a legitimate opponent. After winning his world title, Brook made three defenses against opponents with almost no chance to win. This fight should be much more competitive than those.
Meanwhile, Vargas' promoter Top Rank and HBO are currently said to be in discussions to broadcast the fight domestically in the United States.