Thursday 12 January 2017 16:41, UK
Amir Khan believes his British battle with Kell Brook should take place after the IBF welterweight champion makes a mandatory defence against Errol Spence Jr.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has been planning Brook's schedule this year, which could include fights with Spence Jr and even Manny Pacquaio, but he admitted that Khan is the main priority.
Khan, who previously held WBA and IBF titles at super-lightweight, has suggested that his bout with Brook will be even bigger if the Sheffield man retains his IBF belt by defeating Spence Jr.
"The fight between me and him will be worth even more if there is a world title on the line," Khan told Talksport.
"Kell knows the biggest fight and biggest pay day he will ever get is against me. I am on a different level where I can face other fighters and get the same amount of money.
I want him to keep hold of that IBF title because I want to take it off him.
"I have always said to Kell and Eddie Hearn that the fight is going to be worth more money if there is a title on the line. It will be a bigger fight not only in Britain but around the world. I want him to keep hold of that IBF title because I want to take it off him.
"He has that defence to make against Errol Spence, and we are going to let him make that defence, keep hold of the title, and then the fight can happen between me and him.
"I think it is a great fight for me. I respect Kell. I think he is a great fighter and it is about time now we both get it on. I have left it to my team. I have told my team that this is the fight I want and if it makes sense financially, let's make it happen."
The Bolton fighter would prefer to face Brook at the end of the year and expects to take a warm-up fight in the spring following hand surgery.
"I'm in the States now and had a meeting with Al Haymon last week," said Khan. "He said to me with the hand operation, we want to get a good feel fight, to get back into it again.
"It has been almost a year since I last fought so I want to get back in there to get that ring rust away. I want to fight again March or April time. I should find out within the next month."
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