Amir Khan puts Kell Brook December fight on ice and insists domestic battle must be summer ball

AMIR KHAN has put his winter war with Kell Brook on ice and insisted it will only be a summer showdown.

The Bolton ace has enjoyed two comeback wins after a two-year break and will decide this week on who is next on his hit list.

A December battle with 39-year-old legend Manny Pacquiao is top of his Christmas wishlist but promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that welterweight clash would most likely be held overseas.

The domestic battle with Brook, however, could sell out any stadium in the UK and Khan says that means it will have to be during the sunny season.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Khan said: “Me and Manny Pacquiao are good friends but we are the same weight and you have to put friendships aside.

“I would love that fight to be over here, my last two fights have been here and I would love it to be in the UK.

“If it doesn’t come through then me and Eddie will sit down to discuss it.

“Me and Kell Brook is a stadium fight and the winter might be a bit cold so that one might be more of a summer fight.”

Khan blew Phil Lo Greco out inside 40 seconds in April but needed the full 36 minutes of thrilling action to beat Samuel Vargas on points last weekend.

The Olympic silver medal winner was floored in the second round and looked worryingly vulnerable but he has vowed to up his game for his next blue-ribbon bout.

He said: “I think people forget how old I am, I am only 31 and I feel better now than I did at 28.

“I had time out for a really bad hand injury that needed an operation. I got away from boxing and refocussed on my career.

“My first comeback fight only lasted 39 seconds so I didn’t really get a feel for being back in the ring. I needed a good 12 rounds.

“I think I took my second fight a bit lightly and I will never make that mistake again.

“I need to work on my defence a little bit more. I need to calm down a bit, I get a bit too eager and that is where mistakes happen.”