Amir Khan says Kell Brook is his SECOND choice for next fight behind Manny Pacquiao

AMIR KHAN will only fight Kell Brook next if he fails to agree a showdown against Manny Pacquiao.

The former unified light-welterweight world champion is looking for his next opponent after edging past Samuel Vargas on points in Birmingham.

Khan, 31, when asked whether fierce rival Brook was next on his hitlist, said: “Me and Eddie [Hearn] will sit down about it.

“We want the fight, it’s 147 [welterweight], there is massive demand.

“The only fight works for me over Kell Brook is Manny. He is my No1 pick. If not, we go back to the drawing board.

“Who wants to see the Pacquiao fight? Who wants to see the Kell Brook fight? I want Manny Pacquiao.”

Brook, 32, was ringside for King Khan’s second comeback bout following his 40-second KO over Phil Lo Greco in April.

The Sheffield fighter suffered two devastating defeats to Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr in 2016 and 2017 but got back to winning ways against Siarhei Rabchanka in March.

But an all-British showdown against Khan is his dream.

He said: “It was a good fight. For me I wouldn’t have let him off the hook. He doesn’t have the great chin. He would have stayed down there.

“This fight has been going too long. I want this as my Christmas present. I can make 147. Amir Khan come on.”

Promoter Hearn fears Khan will never get the chance to fight Brook if he looks elsewhere now.

He said: “It’s down to those guys.

“Kell wants the fight. It has to happen next or it will never happen. It’s now or never and see what happens and make the best decision.

“He will have a rest now. Amir Khan is never in a bad fight.”