Thursday 19 April 2018 15:31, UK
Amir Khan and Kell Brook are yet to agree terms for an elusive domestic clash, but do the feuding British duo share more similarities than they would like to admit?
Khan will have a homecoming clash against Phil Lo Greco in Liverpool on April 21, live on Sky Sports, following Brook's own successful comeback victory over Sergey Rabchenko in Sheffield.
'The Special One' is expected to be watching from ringside as his rival attempts to outshine him following a bleak spell of almost two years out of the spotlight.
Should Khan emerge victorious, then answers will be sought about Brook, and the stark differences that have delayed a domestic clash, but each fighter has shown similar qualities and shortcomings in recent years.
Both would perhaps agree that a world title fight could, and maybe should have been staged in the summer of 2015, with Khan searching for a career-defining showdown, while Brook had boosted his profile by winning the IBF belt.
But the Bolton man's head was turned by talk of a lucrative meeting with Floyd Mayweather, who instead opted for a one-sided rematch with Marcos Maidana, despite Khan topping an online poll of potential foes.
The welterweights would endure harsh judgement of their next fights, irrespective of telling reasons, and Brook easily overcame mandatory challenger Jo Jo Dan, just a few months after suffering a life-threatening leg injury in a machete attack.
Khan was also left without big-name partners after being led a not-so-merry dance by Mayweather, eventually producing back-to-back points wins over Devon Alexander and Chris Algieri that did little for his legacy.
Thoughts of a blockbuster battle would fade over the coming months as a compromise could not be reached between the two camps and Khan then stunned the boxing world by taking an audacious fight against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
Khan climbed two weight divisions to challenge Alvarez for the WBC middleweight title, a move that earned sizeable credit in terms of finances and respect, but ultimately he would suffer a chilling knockout in the sixth round.
As if stung by Khan's courage, Brook would take a similarly risky decision with his career, swiftly stepping in as a replacement against the fearsome Gennady Golovkin after Chris Eubank Jr withdrew from negotiations.
He also displayed his bravery over five rounds until his corner curtailed a punishing fight that left him with a shattered eye socket.
More physical and mental pain would be inflicted on Brook as his IBF title reign was brutally ended by Errol Spence Jr following another cracked socket, in a repeat of that harrowing night with 'GGG.'
It remains to be seen whether Khan can banish his own demons after he dared to be great against Alvarez, although he has openly admitted to troubles outside the ring during his lengthy exile.
Khan, like Brook, can put a dark spell behind him with an emphatic win over Lo Greco in Liverpool, and his long-term foe might just give a nod of approval before the arguing resumes about a battle of Britain.
Watch Khan vs Lo Greco from Liverpool, live on Saturday, April 21, on Sky Sports Main Event & Action, from 7.00pm.
