Khan vs. Brook: Latest Details, Comments Surrounding Potential Fight
Rumours of an all-British super-fight between Amir Khan and Kell Brook refuse to go away, despite the fact Brook will face Frankie Gavin in his next outing.
Khan has admitted he wants to get in the ring with the Sheffield star, but tetchy exchanges between the two camps have made potential negotiations increasingly difficult.
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Khan Sr: Hearn Blew Brook vs. Khan Talk
Tuesday, April 14
Shah Khan, Amir's father, suggests Brook would have got the fight he desired if promoter Eddie Hearn hadn't been so "disrespectful" with his public talk of the potential bout. Khan Sr's comments were reported by Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail:
"Kell could have had his chance against Amir right now if Eddie Hearn had toned it down. But instead of being patient he's been so disrespectful. If he carries on like that the Brook fight will not take place. He keeps shouting about how much the fight is worth but I don't care about the money. For Amir it's more about the big fights and his status in boxing.
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King Khan is still willing to fight Brook in the near future, according to his father:
"Amir's told Kell he will be happy to box him in the next year but Eddie's jeopardising that. He carries on calling us out and insulting us. Any more of that and it will be all over. Kell has said plenty, too. But we don't think this is his fault. He seems a good lad. It's Eddie putting the words in his mouth.
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Khan to Fight Algieri on May 30
Thursday, April 2
Khan announced on YouTube that his next opponent is set to be Algieri:
Any plans revolving around a Brook vs. Khan showdown will have to be put on hold for the time being.
Khan Threatens to Retire Brook
Tuesday, March 31
The former Olympic silver medalist has claimed he has bigger challenges to negotiate before facing his compatriot, but as noted by Sky Sports, Khan insists he wants to square off with Brook under the Wembley arch within 12 months:
"I’d love to go in the ring and fight Kell Brook, it could be his last fight against me because the thing is, I [could] give him that much of a beating it could end up being his last fight.
And maybe that’s why he wants it, because he knows that last fight against me will financially secure him for the rest of his life. So maybe he just wants that
It’s all about timing: if I’ve got a different route and I want to face the likes of the Mayweathers and Pacquiaos out there, then Kell Brook will have to wait.
We don’t want to rush this fight because it is going to be a big fight. It’s going to be a huge fight but it’s all about the timing.
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Controversial American Adrien Broner claimed on social media that he and Khan have held talks regarding a bout, but Algieri will be next
Khan and Brook Play Blame Game
Monday, March 30
Khan previously admitted he’d love to silence Brook, but accused the Sheffield-born star of disrespecting him. He told ESPN that Special K still has plenty to prove at the very top level too, per Sky Sports:
"He’s only beaten one good fighter—[Shawn] Porter. He needs some good wins against the likes of [Brandon] Rios, [Juan Manuel] Marquez, [Keith] Thurman, [Marcos] Maidana and the fight will be even bigger.
I’d love to shut him up. Why give someone a payday when they constantly disrespect you all the time? The fight will happen when it’s meant to happen. Before the fight he said I bring nothing to the table, no title and he don’t need to fight me as he’s the champion. Now he’s calling me out.
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Khan did admit that the financial incentives of an all-British bout would be potentially inciting. When pressed on the lucrative sums involved, he said: “I agree—will start the talks.”
However, Brook is convinced Khan is ducking the issue. As world champion, Brook believes Khan should be desperate to take his belt, per Sky Sports:
"I'm giving him an opportunity because there's a world title belt on the line and there's going to be a lot of money there for him, probably the most he's earned in a fight.
It's in Britain—War of the Roses—it's a very exciting fight, I don't know why he just doesn't take the fight—it baffles me.
I think he knows that he's delicate around the whiskers. I keep saying that and after I've done with Khan, he's going to be a mere memory and he knows that. It's just a matter of time before he's forced into that fight because of the public demand and we see him on the canvas once again.
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Brook: No Khan Fight in 2015
Wednesday, Mar. 25
Brook has admitted it is unlikely he will face Khan before the calendar ticks over, reported by BBC Sport: "I think the Amir Khan fight is gone for this year. I'm the world champion and I will fight some other massive name. I'm not interested in what he (Khan) does next now."
Hearn: 'Initial Talks' for Khan vs. Brook Held
Friday, Feb. 27
As reported by ESPN's Dan Rafael, Hearn had hoped the Brook vs. Khan fight would happen: "Just some friendly, initial talks (have gone ahead). They are confident the fight will happen this year."
Hearn previously touched on a potential fight between the pair, a bout British fans have been clamoring for, looking at the example set by Mayweather and Pacquiao as a reason he thought it could happen. Writing for the Daily Mail, he sounded very hopeful:
Khan was widely expected to be the next opponent of either Mayweather or Pacquiao should the duo have been unsuccessful in making their long-awaited superfight happen, and while he will no doubt be left disappointed missing out on one of the two legends, a fight against Brook makes for a great consolation prize, per Rafael:
"That fight can definitely happen. He has a fight coming up (March 28) with his mandatory. I’m fighting in May, so Kell probably wouldn’t be ready in May but I would love to fight him at the end of the year. It’s a big fight even if it isn’t as big as me against Manny or Floyd.
"
Kell Brook is very powerful, very strong. He’s kind of slick the way he fights. He puts his punches together quite well. Plus, it would be a massive U.K. fight. I think we could sell out Wembley. A fight between us has been talked about for a long time. He it would bring a lot of money for him to fight me.
Brook vs. Khan would certainly have the potential to sell out Wembley Stadium, and with the IBF world title on the line, the winner of that bout would be in line for a unification bout against the winner of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, who hold the WBA Super and WBO belts, respectively.
British fans won't get to witness two of their best going toe-to-toe just yet, though.
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