By Edward Chaykovsky

Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport is still trying to get IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook (33-0, 22KOs) a crack at his domestic rival, Amir Khan (29-3, 19KOs). Khan is going to return in December and then wants to face WBC/WBA champion Floyd Mayweather in May.

Hearn understands if Khan bypasses Brook to take a Mayweather fight, but he won't let Khan off the hook if he misses out on Mayweather and decides to fight someone other than Brook.

Hearn told the Manchester Evening News: “I think he would have beat [Khan] a year ago and he beats him now. Khan’s a bit different because he’s looking at the Mayweather opportunity - I don’t think that’s going to happen. If it does, I wouldn’t necessarily begrudge him for taking that over Brook. I still think he makes more money out of the Brook fight, but it’s the Mayweather fight – it’s understandable. But I think Kell is close to being in the hat for that fight. He’s world champion.”