What Mayweather-Pacquiao Might Mean for Amir Khan and Kell Brook

So it is finally happening—Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will go toe-to-toe on May 2.

The long-awaited announcement confirmed the fight between the two has ramifications on more than just their bank accounts.

Over in Britain, a pair of welterweights no doubt would have paid special attention to the confirmation that the biggest names in their division are going to do battle. Amir Khan referenced the fight in a recent tweet:

Amir Khan had made no secret of his desire to take on Mayweather, insisting after his victory over Devon Alexander in December 2014 that he had “earned” a shot at the “best boxer in the world,” per BBC Sport.

He was also willing to sign up for a bout with Pacquiao, a man he knows plenty about following their time together working at trainer Freddie Roach’s gym.

Now, though, those options are no longer on the table for the Bolton boxer, at least not in the very near future.

So what about a domestic clash with Kell Brook instead?

Via Twitter, it certainly seems the British public would like to see it happen at some stage during the upcoming summer:

"

Amir Khan v Kell Brook would be a huge fight, easily sells out wembly and I'd deffo be going. @EddieHearn please make it happen. #KhanBrook

— Hassan (@HasssanKingKhan) February 21, 2015"

"

With Mayweather vs Paquiao now set it surely makes sense that @AmirKingKhan fights @SpecialKBrook this summer?! @EddieHearn

— michael coudray (@couge0102) February 21, 2015"

Khan, per the Daily Mirror, said at the start of February that Brook was an option, saying: "It would bring a lot of money for him to fight me. But he's my third choice. You know who the first two are: Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao."

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

But, before Brook can even contemplate a potential stadium showdown with his compatriot, he must first successfully retain his IBF title against Jo Jo Dan on Mar. 28 in Sheffield.

The first defence of the belt, one he claimed last year by out-pointing Shawn Porter, gives Brook the perfect chance to show off the spoils in his home city.

While he is focused on Dan, The Special One admits he expects to face Khan at some stage in his career, telling Bleacher Report: “I think it’s too big of a fight not to happen. But he’s doing his thing, and I’m doing mine. If our paths cross then they cross.”

Despite previously proclaiming Brook was third choice, Khan seems to have adjusted his sights.

He has shifted his focus to a bigger name. Bigger in that he wants the boxer who currently holds the WBC middleweight title, as he noted on Twitter:

Cotto–who became a world champion at a fourth different weight by defeating Sergio Martinez—is not quite in the same league as Mayweather or Pacquiao, having lost to both men in his pro career.

However, he is still a superstar in the sport who guarantees a handsome pay day.

A fight with Khan, more likely at a venue somewhere in the United States rather than in Britain, would be both intriguing and exciting for the viewers.

Brook’s camp, meanwhile, are not putting all their eggs in the Khan basket.

They have already begun working on a potential deal with another modern-day legend: Juan Manuel Marquez.

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed talks have already taken place with the Mexican's representatives, telling Sky Sports: “I believe a Marquez-Brook fight at Bramall Lane is a massive fight this summer."

In the same story Hearn also brings up the name of Brandon Rios, though he tellingly adds: “Amir Khan remains the fight we would love.”

So too would many others. Perhaps now, with Mayweather and Pacquiao signed, sealed and delivered, it may be closer than ever to becoming a reality.

Matchmaking in boxing can often be like a line of dominoes—once the first one falls, the other pieces follow.