British welterweight sensation Kell Brook is set to make his American debut this winter when he boxes on the undercard of the Carl Froch v Andre Ward Super Six World Boxing Classic final at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on December 17. 25-year-old Brook (25-0, 17 KO's) dismantled world number six (according to Ring Magazine) Rafal Jackiwiecz in six one-sided rounds in his last bout two weeks ago. Clearly the boy from Sheffield is ready for a serious step up in class, and has been promised a top ranked American for his debut. 

The Froch v Ward fight is the culmination of a two-year tournament set up by US TV giants Showtime to find the best super middleweight in the world. The fight, plus Kell Brook's undercard bout, will be shown live in the UK by Sky Sports.

"It's the best Christmas present I could have" Brook told Sky. ''I've been dreaming of fighting on a massive show in America and I plan to put on a great performance. The pressure will be on to dazzle the American fans and that's exactly what I plan to do.''

Brook signed with Matchroom Promotions this year, and with Eddie Hearn (son of Barry) managing his career, Brook is being fast tracked toward a world title shot in 2012.

"This is a big night in the career of Kell Brook" said Eddie Hearn." He has taken steps into the world-class level recently and December 17 will be another important milestone as we unleash him on the American public. Television executives in the States are delighted that they will get to see Kell in the flesh and he knows he needs to deliver something special to announce himself on the biggest stage. This will be the final test for Kell before a major marquee fight in the spring.''

Brook is currently ranked number two in the world by the WBO and sixth by the WBA, although following his impressive victory over Jackiwiecz,  that position is sure to rise when the WBA release their new rankings next month. 

The current title holders in the 147 pound class are Manny Pacquiao (WBO) Floyd Mayweather Jr (WBC) Andre Berto (IBF) and Vyacheslav Senchenko (WBA), with Ismael El Massoudi the WBA's interim welterweight champion.

The outstanding young contenders in the division are Brook, plus American prospects Mike Jones and Brad Solomons. Former light welterweight champion Devon Alexander has been installed as the WBC's number one contender, despite the fact that he has never seriously completed as a welterweight. 

Brad Solomons is ranked number one by the WBA, and Mike Jones is rated top by the WBO. The IBF currently have their top spot vacant, with 37-year-old Randall Bailey ranked second. Bailey is a former WBO light welterweight champion, and with 36 KOs in 42 victories is known as a big puncher but he has lost seven times, three of those inside the distance.

Former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz is now fourth in their ratings. Jan Zaveck, who lost his IBF title to Andre Berto on cuts last month despite being very much in the fight, is now only rated eighth by that organization.

Other fighters hovering around the 147 pound division include former champs Joshua Clottey, Carlos Quintana and Shane Mosley, who remains a legitimate threat at welterweight, despite being 39, and losing his last two fights against Mayweather and Pacquiao by landslide decisions. 

WBA champion Senchenko appears to be Matchroom's preferred target for Brook, the latest protégé of the great Brendan Ingle, who has brought to prominence the likes of  Herol ''Bomber'' Graham, Johnny Nelson, Junior Witter, Ryan Rhodes and Prince Naseem Hamed among others. Brook is currently trained by Ingle's son Dominic. 

Another typically eye-catching display by a fighter who blends the sheer boxing ability of Herol Graham with the concussive punching power of Naseem Hamed will surely be enough to wow the thousands in attendance at the legendary Boardwalk Hall, and the millions more watching on Showtime, and establish Brook as one of the genuine stars in the welterweight division.