• Welterweight

Brook handed world title boost ahead of Robles clash

Kell Brook is still targeting a fight with Amir Khan © Getty Images

Enlarge

Kell Brook has been handed a world title boost ahead of his Saturday showdown with Alvaro Robles in Liverpool, but admitted he still wants to fight Amir Khan.

Promoter Eddie Hearn announced Brook will fight for the IBF welterweight title by July 19 should he win on Saturday and remain fit.

He will face either current champion Shawn Porter or Pauli Malignaggi; Porter requested a voluntary defence against Malignaggi to which the IBF reportedly responded by stating the bout must be held before April 19, with the winner then facing Brook - the mandatory challenger - within 90 days.

ESPN UK boxing on Twitter

• For all the latest from the world of boxing in the UK and beyond, follow @espnukboxing on Twitter

"We asked that if the exemption be granted then it should be accompanied by certain requirements," Hearn told Sky Sports. "The most important of those being that both fighters in the proposed April 19 bout must agree in writing to face Kell within 90 days of the bout.

"We received confirmation from the IBF today that the exemption would only be granted under a number of conditions including the above.

"It is great news for Kell after a frustrating period, and he just has to take care of business on Saturday night then I am sure Britain will have another world champion by July 19."

Brook revealed his happiness at the news, but insisted he is fully focused ahead of his bout with Robles on Saturday. The unbeaten Brit suffered triple frustration in 2013 as three separate bouts with then-IBF champion Devon Alexander were postponed due to injury in both camps. Alexander went on to lose his title to Porter.

Despite the thought of a potential world title shot, Brook admitted he still hoped to face Khan, who recently missed out on a blockbuster bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"I'm more than ready," Brook said. "It's my time and this is my year. I just can't wait to get back in there. It's an important fight [against Robles], a potential banana-skin, and I'm looking forward to getting back in the ring.

"I want to face Amir Khan. Eddie Hearn has put a big offer to him and I don't know why he won't take that fight. It's a massive fight. Look at Groves-Froch, it sold out in no time and I'm sure this would too. It's a fight I'd love to have."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd