Floyd Mayweather Challenge Issued by Kell Brook Ahead of Manny Pacquiao Fight
British boxer Kell Brook has admitted he longs to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. once the American's much-anticipated bout with Manny Pacquiao concludes.
Brook's record stands at an impressive 33-0 (22 knockouts), per Boxrec. He is the current IBF welterweight champion after defeating Shawn Porter last August, and after his upcoming title defence against Jo Jo Dan on Saturday, he wishes to set his sight on the best. He confirmed he will be in attendance when Mayweather next steps into the ring, per Sky Sports:
"Me and (promoter) Eddie Hearn will be out there in Vegas, enjoying ourselves, watching that fight. I want Mayweather. I want the best pound-for-pound fighter that everyone has titled him as. I want to fight the very best—I'm in my prime, I'm unbeaten, I'm world champion.
"
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Mayweather recently dismissed the interests of Amir Khan, another British fighter who sees a target painted on Pretty Boy's head. In typical Mayweather fashion, he claimed Khan's "name holds no weight," as reported by Matt Morlidge of the MailOnline, before securing a historic encounter against Pacquiao.
Brook certainly hasn't been as noisy as Khan in his desire to face Floyd, but his current record perhaps outlines him as the more deserving candidate. Khan's losses to Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia can still be held against him, despite his victory over Devon Alexander forcing many to take him a little more seriously.
Mayweather previously told Khan to beat Adrien Broner before he would consider battling him. Broner recently baited Khan on Twitter:
Khan responded:
Victory over Marcos Maidana may also hold the weight needed for Money to accept anyone's challenge.
It would be interesting to see Brook vs. Khan, with the winner getting a Las Vegas shot at Mayweather in the future. Should Pacquiao end his next opponent's unbeaten streak, however, he could become the man everyone wants to beat again.
Writing in his February column for the Daily Mail, Eddie Hearn previously suggested Khan may one day step into the ring with Brook:
"They are two great fighters at the top of their game—it is a fight the people of Britain would love to see. I can reveal here that I had a good conversation with Khan’s people just over a week ago and they told me this fight will happen one day.
My thought is why wait? Let’s get this done in the summer. The date of June 13 would work—let’s make it.
"
Brook is expected to move beyond Dan without much trouble, but he's got to get the business done before he can consider stepping into the ring with Mayweather. Of course, the latter will hold all of the power in making decisions after the Pacquiao fight: There will be no shortage of challengers even if he loses.
The next couple of months will certainly shape who will get the next shot at Mayweather. Brook, Broner and Khan are likely one huge win away from receiving a major opportunity.
It's potentially damaging for Brook if the other two face each other, however, as the winner will gain the most traction out of the three.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
