By Edward Chaykovsky

According to promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, who promotes IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, negotiations have begun for a summer showdown with domestic rival Amir Khan. The became more likely after Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao was finalized last week, with Khan being the odd man out after chasing fights with both superstars for May.

Brook would first need to defeat mandatory challenger Jo Jo Dan next month in Sheffield.

Hearn told Sky Sports News HQ: “I’ve met with some representatives from Team Khan recently and obviously he was waiting, quite rightfully so, for the opportunity to fight Floyd Mayweather.

“But that is now not happening and I think obviously the fight with Kell Brook makes sense. It would be a massive fight for British boxing it carries a world title. Amir is confident that fight will happen but we want it sooner rather than later.

“Brook-Khan for me is just a natural fight and we can’t wait for Amir. We are going to be looking at Marquez, we’re looking at Maidana, even the winner of Mayweather against Pacquiao, because the bottom line is with those two fighting there will only be two world champions in that division. That’s either Pacquiao or Mayweather and Kell Brook, so it’s a chance to fully unify the division.

“It’s frustrating because Khan is the fight that we all want. We feel like the nation wants it as well and really, there is no reason why that can’t happen next.”