Kell Brook Takes Aim at Big Names, but Amir Khan Fight Still No Closer

Kell Brook got the job done against Frankie Gavin, but now it is time for the IBF welterweight champion to move on to bigger and better things.

The Special One (35-0, 24 KO) systematically destroyed challenger Gavin at the O2 Arena in London, stopping his fellow Englishman in the sixth round.

Facing a tricky, counterpunching southpaw didn’t provide too many problems for Brook. Had it not been for the clash of styles, it would not have lasted so long.

Using his size, strength and skills, he simply walked down his opponent and battered him into submission, showing why he’s on a different level than the brave but outclassed Gavin.

Now, the question is: Who should Brook face in his next title defence?

Amir Khan's name did predictably crop up in post-fight interviews. However, even Brook seems to be tired of all the talk, telling Sky Sports: “It’s getting boring now. We’ve offered him, we’ve asked him to pick a phone up and talk but he don’t want to hear.”

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Khan made it clear after his win over Chris Algieri the previous day in Brooklyn that he was focused on a fight with Floyd Mayweather, per Dan Rafael of ESPN: "I think everybody knows Amir Khan wants to fight Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather is a champion, so let's make it happen."

It seems the Bolton boxer is going to continue to play the waiting game. Brook, though, is in no mood to hang around and hope the fight with his compatriot will be made.

There are, however, plenty of others for him to target in a star-studded division.

Brandon Rios is one name that is repeatedly getting mentioned.

Per Carlos Boogs of BoxingScene.com, Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn has already held discussions over a potential clash with Bam Bam: “Rios is still my preferred choice. He’s the perfect fight style-wise, name-wise and entertainment-wise. Top Rank and Bob Arum seem to want the fight.”

Rios (33-2-1, 24 KO) has not fought since beating Mike Alvarado in the third bout between the pair. He went the distance with Manny Pacquiao in November 2013 and is a former lightweight world champion.

Judging from his Twitter account, the Texan was paying attention to Brook’s latest outing:

In an interview with Sky Sports the day after beating Gavin, Brook described the no-nonsense American as the “perfect candidate” for his next fight:

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They are talking about Brandon Rios and that really excites me because we all know that he loves to have a fight and he is entertaining for the fans, and that’s what I want to give. I want to give an all-action fight and he is the perfect candidate for the job.

His team is saying that he is going to come over and knock me out, so bring that challenge on. I’m more than willing to take Brandon Rios on and perform in front of my British fans again.

The world is my oyster. I’m in lead position and I’m unbeaten. Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Keith Thurman, Brandon Rios, [Marcos] Maidana—the list goes on. There are that many of them and every one will be such an exciting fight, so I am in a blessed position.

"

While a fight with Mayweather is unlikely, and Pacquiao won't be ready for action in August as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery, any of the remaining trio Brook named would do just fine.

Back before his title defence against Ionut Dan Ion in Sheffield, Brook’s trainer, Dominic Ingle, told Bleacher Report: “Kell’s the type of fighter, much like Naseem Hamed was, who tends to train for the threat.”

Rios would be a threat, as would Thurman or Maidana.

Yet they are the type of foes that the 29-year-old needs at this stage of his career. With all respect to Gavin, who has time to come again on the world stage, it is going to be hard for Brook to remain motivated if he is so confident of victory. That's when corners get cut in camp, when you rest on your laurels.

After a long climb to the top and a serious stabbing in Tenerife that threatened his life, never mind his career, Brook and his team know they must strike while the iron is hot.

He is the type of fighter who, despite already being a world champion, you expect to see more from, as if he's got another gear to move into when he faces a top-tier rival.

In August, when Brooks fights Rios or one of the other leading welterweights, we may find out if that is actually the case.

Who would you like to see Brook face next? Have your say via the comments section below.