Amir Khan has revealed his camp made a lucrative offer to Kell Brook over a potential all-British showdown, but their proposal was snubbed.
It was a decision that paved the way for Khan’s next bout, as the boxer announced a shock showdown with Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on May 7, via his official Twitter feed on Tuesday. Khan, speaking Gavin Glicksman of the Sun, confirmed things could have been different had Brook accepted the offer:
I'm going in with someone who is probably twice as good as Kell, so it shows something about me. I'm going to prove to the world how good I am.
Kell and his team have their own path. I was offering him a lot of money to fight me, but he didn't want to take that. I don't think the fight will happen. But listen, I wish him all the very best.
A summer showdown between Khan and Brook did seem to be on the cards prior to Tuesday’s massive announcement.
Brook is set to defend his IBF welterweight crown against Kevin Bizier in March and has previously expressed his intent on going up against Khan. “Khan has got no respect for me, and that is what makes me want to punch him in the face even harder,” the man from Sheffield told ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael recently.
Although the prospect of Brook-Khan being postponed for now is disappointing for British boxing fans, the Bolton-born puncher going up against Canelo is certainly something to get excited about.
British fighter Tony Bellew thinks Khan deserves an immense amount of credit for taking on this significant test:
It is a massive challenge for the Brit. Not only will he be fighting at a 155-pound catchweight, higher than he’s ever fought at previously, but in Alvarez he’s facing an opponent who is very much the real deal. Indeed, the Mexican has only lost on one occasion in his career, against Floyd Mayweather in 2013.
Canelo’s most recent win over Miguel Cotto saw him claim the lineal, The Ring and WBC middleweight belts. Here are some highlights of the 25-year-old’s excellent performance:
Khan admitted to Glicksman that this fight is going to be a very tough one for him, although he’s confident of pulling off what’d be a shock victory:
For me, this is a massive test because Canelo is such an amazing fighter and a tough guy. I'm going in there as the underdog, whereas normally I'm the main guy.
But I can definitely shock the world. This fight is going to keep me focused and working hard. It's a catchweight with the title on the line. We'll do this weight professionally and be smart about it. A lot of the training sessions have already changed to work on my power and strength.
Should he lose to Canelo, it’d leave Khan in an interesting position. Although he says otherwise, it’s tough to see the bout with Brook ever really being off the table; a full house at Wembley along with the revenue and prestige that’d generate would definitely appeal to both men, regardless of what they go on to achieve in their respective careers.
Khan has a shot at boxing greatness in May, though. It’s a brilliant chance for him to show, at 29 and in the peak years of his career, he can put it all together at last: the speed, power and durability to take a punch from one of the biggest hitters around. Still, even if the Brit is perfect on the night, it’s tough to see how he’s going to get the better of this formidable champion.
