By Edward Chaykovsky
As previously reported, IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (36-1, 25 KOs) is likely going to make a mandatory defense against unbeaten Olympian Errol Spence (21-0, 18 KOs) on a May date in the UK.
Brook's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, would like to make the fight with Khan next. But Khan wants an interim fight and he would rather have Brook go through with his mandatory defense, because he believes a win over Spence - and a world title at stake - will make their potential fight even bigger.
"The fight between me and him will be worth even more if there is a world title on the line," Khan told Talksport. "Kell knows the biggest fight and biggest pay day he will ever get is against me. I am on a different level where I can face other fighters and get the same amount of money."
Brook has been out of the ring since moving up to the middleweight division and getting stopped in five rounds by world champion Gennady Golovkin. During the contest, Brook suffered a fractured orbital bone and had to undergo surgery. He was allowed several weeks from the IBF to fully recover, before making a decision on whether or not he intends to keep the title. Brook finally got back into training and wants to return to action before the first half of this year.
Khan (31-4, 19 KOs) has also been out of the ring with injury, since getting knocked out last May by Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Khan underwent surgery to correct a lingering issue with his right hand.
"I have always said to Kell and Eddie Hearn that the fight is going to be worth more money if there is a title on the line. It will be a bigger fight not only in Britain but around the world. I want him to keep hold of that IBF title because I want to take it off him," Khan said.
"He has that defence to make against Errol Spence, and we are going to let him make that defence, keep hold of the title, and then the fight can happen between me and him. I think it is a great fight for me. I respect Kell. I think he is a great fighter and it is about time now we both get it on. I have left it to my team. I have told my team that this is the fight I want and if it makes sense financially, let's make it happen."
Khan is currently in the United States and waiting for word on his next fight. He already met with his adviser, Al Haymon, to discuss some of the comeback details.
"I'm in the States now and had a meeting with Al Haymon last week," Khan said. "He said to me with the hand operation, we want to get a good feel fight, to get back into it again. It has been almost a year since I last fought so I want to get back in there to get that ring rust away. I want to fight again March or April time. I should find out within the next month."