Amir Khan targets 'no.1 pick' Manny Pacquiao but Kell Brook fight more likely

Winner: Amir Khan scored an unanimous points win over Samuel Vargas
REUTERS
John Dillon10 September 2018

Amir Khan believes his tough night against Samuel Vargas was ideal preparation for a big fight showdown with Manny Pacquiao or Kell Brook.

Khan wants a clash with Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao to seal his comeback following his welterweight points win against tough Colombian Vargas in Birmingham on Saturday.

Promoter Eddie Hearn will also explore an alternative all- British collision with former light-middleweight world champion Kell Brook - who has promised he will step down to the 147lb welterweight limit to facilitate the long-awaited date with Khan.

The 31-year-old Khan insisted that being taken the distance by Vargas was a welcome workout after his first comeback fight against Phil Lo Greco ended after just 39 seconds in April.

That was Khan's first outing in 23 months following his stunning sixth-round knockout by Mexico's Saul Alvarez when he stepped up to middleweight.

Bolton's Khan was put down in the second round in Birmingham but twice floored his rugged opponent.

Khan said: "What I really wanted to do was go the distance. I wanted to get the experience.

"There were times in the fight when I wanted to put him away, there were times when I could have pushed it and knocked him out.

"He caught me with an overhand right hand, right on the button, I got back up and I was fine. This is boxing and I've got to learn from those mistakes.

REUTERS

"The only fight that works for me over Kell Brook is Manny Pacquiao. I want him, he is my number one pick. If not we go back to the drawing board and if it's Kell Brook, it's Kell Brook."

Sheffield's Brook said he could be ready for a potential collision in December.

He added: "I'll come down in weight because I am the governor of the division in this country. I will come down to welterweight to fight him."

Promoter Hearn wil begin talks about Khan's future in two weeks.

AFP/Getty Images

Hearn said: "That was a big fight for him against Vargas. There is never a dull moment with Amir Khan.

"It'll be two weeks off then we will sit round the table. Kell wants the fight and I know Amir will fight him. It has to happen next or it will never happen, so it's up to these guys.

"There's only so much we can do. We will listen to the public, we know Amir wants Pacquiao and he will fight Brook.

"It's now or never for the Kell Brook fight."

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