Former world welterweight champion Kell Brook has fired a stark warning at Amir Khan following his UK rival's move to the same promotional stable.
Khan joined up with Eddie Hearn on Wednesday despite previous beef between the pair and Brook has now set his sights on a huge British super-fight.
It could be bad timing for 'The Special One' though as Brook recently moved up to 154 pounds where Khan has no intentions of treading yet.
The 31 year-old has moved to inform Khan that they will need to move quickly in order to get the fight over the line as Brook may be set to retire in the next twelve months after suffering broken orbital bones in defeats to Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr.
"We need to agree on a fight this year because I don't know if I will be boxing into next year, if I am honest," Brook exclusively told Sky Sports.
"I really do mean it. I am not getting any younger. I want a great year this year, no messing around, no play-time, I want big fights under my belt.
"I don't want to be talking this nonsense with Khan, him saying he wants it next year or whenever. It's got to happen pretty soon or I am done.
"I would just love to test myself against him. It will probably bring the best out of him and we will give something back to the fans for helping us throughout our careers.
"We'd perform like mad men in the gym and we'd come together and fight each other.
"There is only one - him. I will tell you now there is only one fighter who will fire me up and that's the one."
Brook makes his comeback against Sergey Rabchenko at the super-welterweight limit on March 3 but could potentially be able to drop back down a few pounds to meet Khan at a catchweight for the summer.
Despite setbacks for both in recent years, animosity alone makes it a must-watch collision for UK fans, which is the main reason why Hearn pursued the signing and pulled out all the stops to secure Khan to a contract with Matchroom Boxing.
Depending on how either guy's next fight goes, they may both be done by the end of this year. The fight between the two used to sound good, but now I couldn't care less if it happens.
Genuinely can't see this fight happening in 2018. Khan and Brook will take three tune up's this year, we will be sold down the river of them fighting elite fighters, when in fact ultimately there fight will be in 2019 at Wembley, where both fighters can leave the sport cash rich.
If khan is the only one to fire him up why is he getting back in the ring against other opponents? Tell ya what kell why dont you quit now and give the fans nothing cause sounds like you havent got the heart for it anymore
One tune up each and then fight, I'm still up for that.
But like other posters, I don't wish it to be dragged out. This fight has already matured, they both have nothing to lose or win except money, and I still believe it could be a cracking good matchup.
DrizzyDyer93 wrote: ↑12 Jan 2018, 15:54
Genuinely can't see this fight happening in 2018. Khan and Brook will take three tune up's this year, we will be sold down the river of them fighting elite fighters, when in fact ultimately there fight will be in 2019 at Wembley, where both fighters can leave the sport cash rich.
Can you really see either of these guys fighting 3 times this year?
Brook is all broken down & needs extended breaks between fights & Khan has been a part-time fighter since 2012: Neither of them will be fighting 3 times this year, I predict.