• Welterweight

Amir Khan: It is too soon to fight 'unknown' Kell Brook

Kell Brook knocked down Jo Jo Dan four times in four rounds before the fight was stopped ahead of the fifth © Getty Images

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Amir Khan believes the time is not right for a Battle of Britain with Kell Brook for the IBF world welterweight title as the reigning champion is virtually unknown in the United States.

Brook successfully defended his belt for the first time on Saturday night, knocking down Jo Jo Dan four times in his first fight since being stabbed in the thigh with a machete in September 2014.

The Sheffield native issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Khan after the fight, while promoter Barry Hearn has booked Wembley for Brook's next fight on June 13.

"If we don't start talking for real in the next couple of days it will be too late for June 13," Hearn said. "And I'm not expecting my phone to ring within 48 hours. They have already said that our fight will happen - but not next."

Khan may have ruled himself out of a June bout, but the two-time light-welterweight world champion insists he is up for the fight if Brook raises his international profile - and, with it, the fight purse.

"No one in America knows who Kell Brook is, whereas I can't walk the street without it getting crazy," Khan told Fighthype. "Everyone knows who Amir Khan is but it's a nice thing.

"I've seen his [Brook's] performance against Jo Jo Dan and he's going on like beating Jo Jo Dan is like beating a five-time world champion.

"It's very hard now to get an opponent," Khan added. "You've got Keith Thurman, you've got Kell Brook - those fights could be massive fights in the future.

"It's all about waiting, let them keep building. It's a business - you have to pick the right time to fight each other."

Khan ruled out facing Brook in June as it falls in the middle of Ramadan. As a practising Muslim, the 28-year-old will be fasting and traditionally avoids fights in this period each year.

"Maybe that's why he's calling me out because he knows that I can't do June," Khan added. "Maybe the end of the year it could be done. I fight twice a year but that's because Ramadan falls right in the middle."

But Khan also believes he and Brook should look to the example of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, whose hotly anticipated May 2 fight has been five years in the making and is currently on course to shatter revenue records.

Khan plans to return to the United States for his next fight, after which he can think about a showdown with Brook.

"It's a fight I know that is going to happen but not just yet because I'm taking a different route," Khan said. "My route is to fight the big names like the Manny Pacquiaos and the [Floyd] Mayweathers and be amongst those names and also to fight in America and bring my name up over here.

"I just have to keep on doing what I do and keep putting on great performances for my fans. Whatever fights the fans want to see, I'll give it to them.

"The Thurman and the Brook fights will happen so I'll never say no to any opponent - like the [Marcos] Maidana fight. I was one of the first guys to beat him and the first guy to put him down."

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