By Edward Chaykovsky
Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport is hard at work in securing a big opponent for the summer return of IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (36-0, 25KOs).
Hearn has been holding several meeting to secure an opponent for a date in July or August. Brook is willing to take the fight in the UK or travel to the United States if necessary.
One of the opponents being pursued is WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas (27-1, 10KOs), who captured the vacant title last month with a knockout of Sadam Ali.
The other opponent in the running is former world champion Lamont Peterson (34-3-1, 17KOs), who last October won a close decision over Olympic gold medal winner Felix Diaz. Prior to that, last April, Peterson came very close to scoring an upset decision win over Danny Garcia.
"Vargas was part of the Top Rank meetings, Tim Bradley was the other one. I can say a lot but these guys realize how good Kell Brook is. We can either travel or pay a lot of money, which we're prepared to do as well, for them to come over," Hearn told Sky Sports.
"Vargas is a unification fight so it makes perfect sense. I want Kell to pick up another belt. [Danny] Garcia is not available and Vargas is a great option for us. If he wants to make money to box in the UK, we can do that and if he wants to fight in Las Vegas - well Kell is willing to travel as well. I think Vargas is a great fight for us."
"Bradley won't be available until later in the year. He's coming off a tough fight with Pacquiao. Peterson is still in the running. I like that fight as well. He has a win over Khan and close fight with Garcia."
