Kell Brook eyes US fight next after missing out on Amir Khan showdown
Sheffield boxer believes prior fights have made him a known name stateside - while Brit Liam Smith could be another alternative
KELL BROOK is setting his sights on a trip to America for his next fight, having once again missed out on a grudge match with Amir Khan.
Khan and Brook looked set to finally meet in the ring, with both boxers signed to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable.
However, Khan snubbed a fight with Brook to take on WBO welterweight king Terence Crawford.
As Khan, 32, prepares to take on pound-for-pound star Crawford in an April bout in the US, Brook has been linked with former WBO welterweight champions Jeff Horn and Jessie Vargas.
The Sheffield fighter told he would like to box in the US next as prior fights against Shawn Porter, Errol Spence Jr and Gennady Golovkin have made him a notable name stateside.
Brook, also 32, said: “Jeff Horn’s a name, an Australian fighter, there’s many options for me. It’s not like I haven’t got any options.
“I’m a known name in America from fighting Spence and beating Porter, and fighting Golovkin. My name is there, it’s relevant.
“These names, these top fighters, we can make those fights happen, and that’s what we’re going to be doing.
“I wouldn’t mind going to America now. I’ve boxed at Sheffield Arena, a lot of times in England.
“I’ve boxed a couple of times in America. It would be nice to fight some big fights in America.
“I’ve heard [Vargas’] name being mentioned. He is a name, he’s been in with some top operators.
“The options are there, they’ve got to make good business sense, and overall the right fights for us.”
Horn is most notable for beating Manny Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight strap in July 2017, but in his second defence, Khan’s April opponent Crawford ripped the title away in devastating fashion.
Vargas was once defeated by Pacquiao in 2016 and last year drew against Adrien Broner, who Pacman fights tonight.
While Brook has expressed desire to fight away from home, he has been linked with a fight against new Matchroom recruit Liam Smith.
The pair have had prior sparring sessions, and Brook revealed he is open to once again sharing the ring with Smith – this time, for everyone to see.
Brook added: “Me and Liam Smith have been mentioned before and if they announced me and Smith, I think the fans would like the fight.
“It is a good fight, I’ve sparred with him a few times before. He’s better than I thought, he’s a very good fighter, so I think it is possible that fight could be made.
“We need to sit down and see what options are there. Business moves. We’re not young teenagers now.”