By Edward Chaykovsky
Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, who handle IBF welterweight world champion Kell Brook (36-1, 25 KOs), does not expect a fight with Amir Khan (31-4, 19 KOs) in the near future or possibly ever.
For the first time the fight was in serious talks earlier this year. It quickly fell apart after both boxers were very far apart on the money. Khan requested a 70-30 split of the money, among other demands.
Besides the demands, Khan wanted a tune-up bout to test out his surgically repaired right hand. In a surprise move, Khan and WBO champion Manny Pacquiao made separate announcements that a deal was reached to face each other in late April.
The deal with Pacquiao never went through, because the investors were unable to come up with promised funds of $38 million to stage that fight in the Middle East.
Pacquiao is now heading in another direction it appears. Khan, inactive since May of 2016 when he was knocked out by Canelo Alvarez at 155-pounds, is in limbo for the moment.
Brook has a mandatory defense scheduled with unbeaten Olympian Errol Spence. That contest will take place in late May or early June.
Even if Brook defeats Spence, and Khan wins his next return, Hearn has serious doubts the fight will happen.
In the opinion of Hearn, Khan views Brook as a last resort option, and would likely face WBC/WBA unified champion Keith Thurman before a contest with Brook, which is worth far more money.
Hearn said to The Sun: “The reason Amir does not want to fight Kell is that he simply cannot stand the thought of losing to him.
“If Khan were to fight Pacman next and lose, then he could pick up the pieces by fighting Kell. If Khan fights Kell next and loses there would be nowhere for him to go.
“Keith Thurman is being talked about as a possible opponent for Khan and that would pay around £3 million. Fight Brook and the purse jumps to £8 million.”