• Welterweight

Brook 'ready' for Khan clash

Welterweight Brook is undefeated in 26 bouts © Getty Images

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• Profile: Kell Brook | Amir Khan

Kell Brook believes he has the measure of Amir Khan and is ready for a showdown with the former light-welterweight champion later this year.

The Sheffield-based fighter, undefeated in 26 bouts, will bid to improve his record against Matthew Hatton in his home town on March 17.

The welterweight division is one of the most competitive in boxing, with Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley vying for recognition as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

But while Brook concedes that he is not yet ready to face the likes of Mayweather, the 25-year-old is convinced that he is ready to face Khan and is calling for a clash before the end of the year.

"I'm ready for that fight this year. I could take on Amir Khan any time and I believe I'd beat him. He's just got to say: 'Come on, let's do it,' and it's on.

"Khan has fast hands and power but he can be hurt. He can be stopped. We've seen that before in his career. And timing is everything in boxing. Timing and accuracy beats speed every time. When I hit him hard and consistently, Khan is going down. I know I've got his number."

Khan has often talked of taking the step up to welterweight, but first has his sights set on a rematch with Lamont Paterson, who was crowned WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion in a controversial points decision in Washington in December. The return bout has been scheduled, in principle, for May 19 in Las Vegas.

While Brook is confident that he can get past Khan, he is prepared to bide his time before he calls for a shot at Mayweather, who he believes to be the standout fighter of his generation.

"I'd love to fight Mayweather one day. But he's the best in the world by a long way and there's no doubt he'd beat Pacquiao," continued Brook. "So I'm a couple of years from being ready for Mayweather but that would be a dream fight for me."

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