Khan to fight Vargas with Brook waiting in the wings

Amir Khan will face Samuel Vargas at Arena Birmingham on Sept 8 in his second fight this year, following his 39-second demolition of Phil Lo Greco in Liverpool in April after almost two years out of the ring.

Khan could take on British rival Kell Brook in December, according to promoter Eddie Hearn, if the former world champion can beat Vargas, the 29-year-old Colombian who is based in Canada and is No10 in the World Boxing Association welterweight rankings.

Khan is No7 in the WBA rankings, with Manny Pacquiao the leading challenger to champion Lucas Matthysse, whom the Filipino senator and former eight-weight world champion faces on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur in what could be a swansong fight.

A Khan-brook showdown, after years of enmity, is arguably the biggest fight available for both men as they near the close of their careers. The main stumbling block centres around the purse split and what weight they will fight at, either welterweight (147lb), which favours Khan, or light-middleweight (154lb), the weight at which the Sheffield fighter now campaigns. It is likely that if and when they do meet, it could be made at a catchweight of 150lb.

“One of my aims this year was to be as active as possible, so I’m very happy to get back in the ring again so soon against Samuel Vargas,” said Khan. “Vargas is a tough and well-schooled fighter who has shared the ring with some top welterweights, including Danny Garcia and Errol Spence Jnr.

“I have to get past Vargas before looking at the biggest challenges going forward. I’m not going to be taking him lightly.”

Vargas, who has 29 wins, three defeats and two draws, said: “I have been granted more than enough time to properly prepare for Amir, and you will see the best Samuel Vargas to date.”