Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook. May 2017 [in talks]

[Autobarn]

Thread title made it sound as though the fight was official.

[Rob3_142]

To be fair, Brook has wanted Khan for a very long time, so it's nothing new. It's been almost obsessive his pursuit of Khan. I would be happy to see him fight Khan, and then fight Spence afterwards. Brook isn't a one fight a year kind of guy, so we could see them meet in the summer, or autumn at latest.

Surely with Spence as his mandatory, if he fights anyone else, he vacates the title. That would be a fight at 160lbs, then avoiding Spence again to fight khan, he can't hold the belt ransom

He could offer Spence step aside money I suppose, but with the option of waiting for Brook or fighting a nobody for a vacant title, Spence will take the belt.
Meanwhile, I reckon Brook sees the payday vs Khan, who as you said has been his long term target and lets the title slide.
If he takes Khan out, he can get another title shot of his own afterwards probably at 154lbs. I didn't think 147 was a great idea for him anyway and the only reason he'd come back down was Khan or perhaps if a big payday was on offer through a unification against one of the big names in America.

It probably suits both parties, as Spence can now pick up the title against someone like Jeff Horn, Andre Berto, Bradley Skeete or Konstantin Ponomarev and enjoy a fairly long, successful and lucrative reign as champion

Has he been ordered to fight his mandatory? Thought he fought Bizier to get it out the way? How regular do these things come round?

[Boxerbeetle]

Thread title made it sound as though the fight was official.

Clickbait

[davie]

To be fair, Brook has wanted Khan for a very long time, so it's nothing new. It's been almost obsessive his pursuit of Khan. I would be happy to see him fight Khan, and then fight Spence afterwards. Brook isn't a one fight a year kind of guy, so we could see them meet in the summer, or autumn at latest.

Surely with Spence as his mandatory, if he fights anyone else, he vacates the title. That would be a fight at 160lbs, then avoiding Spence again to fight khan, he can't hold the belt ransom

He could offer Spence step aside money I suppose, but with the option of waiting for Brook or fighting a nobody for a vacant title, Spence will take the belt.
Meanwhile, I reckon Brook sees the payday vs Khan, who as you said has been his long term target and lets the title slide.
If he takes Khan out, he can get another title shot of his own afterwards probably at 154lbs. I didn't think 147 was a great idea for him anyway and the only reason he'd come back down was Khan or perhaps if a big payday was on offer through a unification against one of the big names in America.

It probably suits both parties, as Spence can now pick up the title against someone like Jeff Horn, Andre Berto, Bradley Skeete or Konstantin Ponomarev and enjoy a fairly long, successful and lucrative reign as champion

Has he been ordered to fight his mandatory? Thought he fought Bizier to get it out the way? How regular do these things come round?

Potentially a good point there Rob
I don't have the answer to that, but I think you're right in saying Bizier was mandatory. I thought it came round once every 3 fight, but some may go on timescales, i'm not sure.

I've perhaps been dragged into thinking he has to fight Spence tomorrow, going by the rampant frothing "he's a ducker" looneys over on the current scene

[boxingknockout]

If it happens, it will be another spectacular Amir Khan loss by Ko. After which, he will explain he was ready to go on and has no worries about his chin as he took 2 shots before he went down, got up at 9 3/4 and was telling the ref he was fine despite staggering around like a newborn pony with rickets.

[PredatorHayds]

Surely with Spence as his mandatory, if he fights anyone else, he vacates the title. That would be a fight at 160lbs, then avoiding Spence again to fight khan, he can't hold the belt ransom

He could offer Spence step aside money I suppose, but with the option of waiting for Brook or fighting a nobody for a vacant title, Spence will take the belt.
Meanwhile, I reckon Brook sees the payday vs Khan, who as you said has been his long term target and lets the title slide.
If he takes Khan out, he can get another title shot of his own afterwards probably at 154lbs. I didn't think 147 was a great idea for him anyway and the only reason he'd come back down was Khan or perhaps if a big payday was on offer through a unification against one of the big names in America.

It probably suits both parties, as Spence can now pick up the title against someone like Jeff Horn, Andre Berto, Bradley Skeete or Konstantin Ponomarev and enjoy a fairly long, successful and lucrative reign as champion

Has he been ordered to fight his mandatory? Thought he fought Bizier to get it out the way? How regular do these things come round?

Potentially a good point there Rob
I don't have the answer to that, but I think you're right in saying Bizier was mandatory. I thought it came round once every 3 fight, but some may go on timescales, i'm not sure.

I've perhaps been dragged into thinking he has to fight Spence tomorrow, going by the rampant frothing "he's a ducker" looneys over on the current scene

IBF go down the 1 mandatory every 12 months road.

[Grilling Machine]

They'll sell this as a showdown between the two best welters in the world, coming after both men lost ‘competitive’ fights with the two best middles in the world.

But as fans we know that Golovkin was in all likelihood a much stronger opponent, and also that Brook lost by TKO rather than KO. Brook wins this all day. He might take a few rounds to catch up with Khan, but if he can almost take Golovkin's power then he can certainly take Khan's, so he'll only have to avoid being outpointed. But I think he'll start hurting Khan by the middle rounds and continue until Khan's knocked out or stopped. I'd rather see them fight Thurman and Spence, and then each other if they both win.

[Rob3_142]

They'll sell this as a showdown between the two best welters in the world, coming after both men lost ‘competitive’ fights with the two best middles in the world.

But as fans we know that Golovkin was in all likelihood a much stronger opponent, and also that Brook lost by TKO rather than KO. Brook wins this all day. He might take a few rounds to catch up with Khan, but if he can almost take Golovkin's power then he can certainly take Khan's, so he'll only have to avoid being outpointed. But I think he'll start hurting Khan by the middle rounds and continue until Khan's knocked out or stopped. I'd rather see them fight Thurman and Spence, and then each other if they both win.

And there's probably a much better argument for Brook vs. GGG than Khan vs. Canelo. Khan definitely looked decent without actually laying glove on Canelo, but GGG took some pretty flush shots from Brook.

[lefty]

Shit fight. Brook is a top 3 welterweight Imo (alongside Thurman and Spence) - I have no real interest in Brook-Khan to be honest. It's just a money fight. However, that said- I know a lot would want to watch it unfortunately (for me)

[sharpei_louis]

I still rate Brook and would like to see him challenged by Spence, but can totally get why he would take the Khan fight if it happens. In the UK that's 3-4 times more money than Spence I'd guess, and would be worth paying Spence to step aside for a few months for.
I still don't understand why the business side of boxing gets dismissed.

If there's a one of us on here who genuinely would take £1m v Spence over £3m for fighting Khan, purely for the sporting principle, I'd guess that person is still speaking theoretically.

If Fast Eddie came to me and said 'we can pay Spence £500k and fight him later in the year, and still net £1.5m more for the Khan fight', it's a no-brainer. It doesn't mean Brook is 'scared' or 'dodging' Spence, it genuinely doesn't.

None of that is to say I love Brook's resume, but I think he's a live top WW/SWW, and would probably fancy himself to win against any top fighter in either of those weight categories, whether he would or not.

[Rob3_142]

I still rate Brook and would like to see him challenged by Spence, but can totally get why he would take the Khan fight if it happens. In the UK that's 3-4 times more money than Spence I'd guess, and would be worth paying Spence to step aside for a few months for.
I still don't understand why the business side of boxing gets dismissed.

If there's a one of us on here who genuinely would take £1m v Spence over £3m for fighting Khan, purely for the sporting principle, I'd guess that person is still speaking theoretically.

If Fast Eddie came to me and said 'we can pay Spence £500k and fight him later in the year, and still net £1.5m more for the Khan fight', it's a no-brainer. It doesn't mean Brook is 'scared' or 'dodging' Spence, it genuinely doesn't.

None of that is to say I love Brook's resume, but I think he's a live top WW/SWW, and would probably fancy himself to win against any top fighter in either of those weight categories, whether he would or not.

This.

[lefty]

I still rate Brook and would like to see him challenged by Spence, but can totally get why he would take the Khan fight if it happens. In the UK that's 3-4 times more money than Spence I'd guess, and would be worth paying Spence to step aside for a few months for.
I still don't understand why the business side of boxing gets dismissed.

If there's a one of us on here who genuinely would take £1m v Spence over £3m for fighting Khan, purely for the sporting principle, I'd guess that person is still speaking theoretically.
If Fast Eddie came to me and said 'we can pay Spence £500k and fight him later in the year, and still net £1.5m more for the Khan fight', it's a no-brainer. It doesn't mean Brook is 'scared' or 'dodging' Spence, it genuinely doesn't.

None of that is to say I love Brook's resume, but I think he's a live top WW/SWW, and would probably fancy himself to win against any top fighter in either of those weight categories, whether he would or not.

I'd have more respect for Brook though if he just fought Spence, win or lose and then cashes out against Khan. It's not like it would really damage the fight if he lost to Spence. If anything it might help sell it- because as of now, I think the vast majority would pick Brook via stoppage.

[sharpei_louis]

I think if Brook loses to Spence, Khan - who seems to think his only options are Pacquiao and Mayweather - would go back to chasing them and/or Spence.
I think Brook will look towards the Khan fight whenever it's put on the table as long as Khan remains a viable opponent as it's a big fight in the UK, and is a realistic match. Other than Pacman/Mayweather, there aren't any other massive paying fights out there for Brook in truth; Thurman / Garcia / Spence are all low reward fights for Brook, and push the big paydays back even further if he loses.

[Rob3_142]

I'd have more respect for Brook though if he just fought Spence, win or lose and then cashes out against Khan. It's not like it would really damage the fight if he lost to Spence. If anything it might help sell it- because as of now, I think the vast majority would pick Brook via stoppage.

I think if Brook did go Spence first, and loses, I don't think the Khan fight would necessarily be there on the other side. I can already see Khan's position;

'Brook has just shown what kind of loser he is vs. Spence. I'm only after big fights....'

Or something along those lines.

[ClivePatrickLyons]

Khan wins this fight................................... easily fought the much better competition that will be the difference

[davie]

I think if Brook loses to Spence, Khan - who seems to think his only options are Pacquiao and Mayweather - would go back to chasing them and/or Spence.
I think Brook will look towards the Khan fight whenever it's put on the table as long as Khan remains a viable opponent as it's a big fight in the UK, and is a realistic match. Other than Pacman/Mayweather, there aren't any other massive paying fights out there for Brook in truth; Thurman / Garcia / Spence are all low reward fights for Brook, and push the big paydays back even further if he loses.

Spot on

Khan has used excuses not to fight Brook for years, claiming he's above him

Now that Khans had his big money fight and realises that Brook is his best option and best payday right now, the last thing Brook wants to go and do is jeopardise that by giving Khan more excuses.

I'd like to see Kell fight both of them but I see why Khan would be next.
It's a fight most of us have been looking to see for long enough

[Andrew]

I'm at the point with this topic like Floyd and Manny threads in 2013-14.

Just stop starting them unless it signed.

It's not just Khan to blame as well. Remember the fight could have happened last year if Brook dropped the IBF belt. Hearn said so himself.

Both need to get their acts together.

[Rob3_142]

I'm at the point with this topic like Floyd and Manny threads in 2013-14.

Just stop starting them unless it signed.

It's not just Khan to blame as well. Remember the fight could have happened last year if Brook dropped the IBF belt. Hearn said so himself.

Both need to get their acts together.

I'm sorry, but why should Brook drop his world title at the request of Khan, it's absurd. I backed Brook to hold on to his title. Khan needs to just needs to get on with fighting.

[Boxerbeetle]

I'm at the point with this topic like Floyd and Manny threads in 2013-14.

Just stop starting them unless it signed.

It's not just Khan to blame as well. Remember the fight could have happened last year if Brook dropped the IBF belt. Hearn said so himself.

Both need to get their acts together.

I'm sorry, but why should Brook drop his world title at the request of Khan, it's absurd. I backed Brook to hold on to his title. Khan needs to just needs to get on with fighting.

Well apparently Brook could get no-one to fight him for the title as everyone at the weight was terrified of him

[tigermoth87]

Won't happen. Khan will duck.

[Bigdogsnose]

Always been a big brook fan and I think he's been a little unlucky in the past not to compile a better resume (Injuries at wrong time etc).

Think he's coming to a crossroads. my own preference is he takes and smashes Khan, but I think to do so he's gonna have to put himself at a disadvantage to do so. Just cant see how he can comfortably drop back down to Welter without a negative effect on his performance and he Khan knows this, hence the stipulation it has to be at 147. I think it makes it a bit of a leveller.

Going back down to Welter for Spence would be a mistake. Cant take that much out of your body then go in with such a dangerous opponent.

Hope he gets past khan and then moves up to 154. A lot of hard fights at 154, but that's what he should be looking at.

[Switch hitter]

Be good to see hown he makes the weight against Khan rather than go straight in with Spence

[Andrew]

I'm at the point with this topic like Floyd and Manny threads in 2013-14.

Just stop starting them unless it signed.

It's not just Khan to blame as well. Remember the fight could have happened last year if Brook dropped the IBF belt. Hearn said so himself.

Both need to get their acts together.

I'm sorry, but why should Brook drop his world title at the request of Khan, it's absurd. I backed Brook to hold on to his title. Khan needs to just needs to get on with fighting.

Well apparently Brook could get no-one to fight him for the title as everyone at the weight was terrified of him

Not saying he should have at that time. Hearns explanation was that they had worked hard and didn't want to drop it in case Khan got injured.

But it was again as for much of Brooks career aaah this fight isn't good but it will be a big fight next then he got smashed by GGG like everyone expected. His prime has been pi55ed up the wall IMO.

I'm just sick of hearing about this fight because it's no nearer happening to when it was first mentioned.

[Tanzio]

To be fair, Brook has wanted Khan for a very long time, so it's nothing new. It's been almost obsessive his pursuit of Khan. I would be happy to see him fight Khan, and then fight Spence afterwards. Brook isn't a one fight a year kind of guy, so we could see them meet in the summer, or autumn at latest.

Surely with Spence as his mandatory, if he fights anyone else, he vacates the title. That would be a fight at 160lbs, then avoiding Spence again to fight khan, he can't hold the belt ransom

He could offer Spence step aside money I suppose, but with the option of waiting for Brook or fighting a nobody for a vacant title, Spence will take the belt.
Meanwhile, I reckon Brook sees the payday vs Khan, who as you said has been his long term target and lets the title slide.
If he takes Khan out, he can get another title shot of his own afterwards probably at 154lbs. I didn't think 147 was a great idea for him anyway and the only reason he'd come back down was Khan or perhaps if a big payday was on offer through a unification against one of the big names in America.

It probably suits both parties, as Spence can now pick up the title against someone like Jeff Horn, Andre Berto, Bradley Skeete or Konstantin Ponomarev and enjoy a fairly long, successful and lucrative reign as champion

X2.

I never believed that Brook would return to 147 after the 3G fight. If he did, for any reason, it would be a mistake of RJJ proportions.