Khan swansong ‘will be big time’
PROMOTER HEARN EXCITED FOR FUTURE AFTER AMIR’S IMPRESSIVE COMEBACK
EDDIE Hearn is plotting a spectacular end to Amir Khan’s career, which will include a Wembley showdown with Kell Brook – and a possible clash with pound-for-pound great Manny Pacquiao.
The Bolton fighter made a spectacular return to the ring on Saturday night, blasting Phil Lo Greco away in just 39 seconds.
Matchroom promoter Hearn’s ultimate aim is to set up a longawaited grudge match with Brook. But that is set to be put on hold as Khan aims to dominate the welterweight division.
Hearn is convinced there are money-spinning clashes both in the UK and the US – drawing up a six-man short-list of box office opponents.
Adrien Broner is in Khan’s sights, but Hearn believes the American is one of a host fights that will take the 31-year-old to the top of the sport.
“The Kell Brook fight is a massive, massive fight,” he said. “But so is Adrien Broner, so is Manny Pacquiao, so is Terence Crawford, so is Keith Thurman, so is Danny Garcia.
“It’s really about what Amir wants and the money involved.
“I know there are half-a-dozen massive box office fights out there for him.
“I think we are going to look to box in August – it’s about whether we take that big fight next or after. I’d like to see him return to the UK again and have a step up.”
But Hearn is also prepared to take Khan back to the US, where he has spent much of his professional career – recognising his client’s global appeal.
There is an acceptance from all parties that the Brook fight needs to happen.
But Khan’s priority is to win a world title for the first time in six years.
“Me and Eddie will sit down next week and see what big names there are out there and, hopefully, get them in,” he said. “The 147lb division is amazing. There are some huge names – from Thurman to Errol Spence. There are world titles to be won in the welterweight division. I’d like to fight Broner.”
Brook was at ringside to watch Khan return in style and the pair stoked up their rivalry with a brief exchange of words in the ring.
CARL Frampton won the interim WBO featherweight title against former four-weight champion Nonito Donaire at Belfast’s SSE Arena. Frampton, who is trained by Salford’s Jamie Moore at his Astley gym, is now on track for a world title fight at Windsor Park this summer – with WBO champ Oscar Valdez on his radar as well as the winner of next month’s fight between Lee Selby and Josh Warrington.