Hearn: Amir Khan is Petrified of Facing Kell Brook

By Edward Chaykovsky

Promoter Barry Hearn of Matchroom Sport says there is no way that Amir Khan (31-3, 19KOs) will step up and face IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (35-0, 24KOs) in a summer showdown.

Hearn believes Khan is avoiding any possibility of defeat before securing a lucrative opportunity against Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Manny Pacquiao.

If Khan were to face Brook, and lose, it would kill the likelihood of getting Mayweather and Pacquiao. But if Khan were to lose to Mayweather or Pacquiao - the fight with Brook would still be there.

Both Khan and Brook saw action in the last few days. Khan won a tough twelve round decision over Chris Algieri on Friday night in New York City, and Brook was back in action on Saturday night in London and retained his belt with a sixth round stoppage of Frankie Gavin.

"Khan is petrified about him, because if Khan gets beat by a Mayweather or a Pacquiao, he can still fight Kell Brook in his mind. His value is going down, but if he fights Kell Brook first and gets beat, then that’s probably the end of Amir Khan - and frankly we are a huge odds-on favourite for that fight," Hearn told Sky Sports News.

"Obviously we want the fight, but I don't see Amir Khan taking it. I think he would rather fight light-welterweights like Chris Algieri and get a points win. I would like to think that it could happen next year. We have offered him almost treble the money he’s been making. He doesn't want it and I don't blame him necessarily. I think Amir Khan knows his boxing, I think he knows his chin and he knows that Kell Brook is a huge animal at welterweight."