Thursday 12 May 2016 13:37, UK
Kell Brook's world welterweight title unification fight with Jessie Vargas looks a step closer after the American revealed he was prepared to come to England.
The WBO champion's manager Cameron Dunkin is in negotiations with Eddie Hearn for a summer showdown, when Brook's IBF belt will also be on the line.
Hearn told Sky Sports he has "offered a huge amount of money" to make the fight happen and while he conceded Brook might have to travel to America, Vargas insists he is willing to cross the Atlantic.
"It's great news that we could have a unification fight," Vargas is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.
I'm a defending champion as well, but he would be fighting in his hometown. I only ask that I get a fair decision
"The only bad thing on my part is it seems Kell Brook wants it in England. I would like it in the US, but we're trying to come to an agreement.
"We just want to make sure everything is right at our end and everything is fair. The judges would be one of them and the purse is another matter.
"I'm a defending champion as well, but he would be fighting in his hometown. I only ask that I get a fair decision."
Vargas (27-1-KO19), a former WBA world super-lightweight champion, won the vacant WBO belt at 147lbs by stopping Sadam Ali in nine rounds in March and this will be his first defence.
Brook (36-0-KO25) is desperate to take on a big name this summer and a possible all-British battle with Amir Khan appears dead in the water.
Danny Garcia, the WBC champion, was top of the list, but Hearn conceded the Vargas fight looked more likely.
"Vargas is right up there," said Hearn. "Adrien Broner we offered a huge amount of money to, but I don't think he's going to take the fight right now.
"Andre Berto had a decent win the other week, Lamont Peterson wants the fight, Robert Guerrero wants the fight.
"These are all solid names but we want the titles if possible so Vargas is a priority.
"Will he travel? I'm not so sure but we've made him a huge offer. It's tough getting the fights for Kell right now because everyone knows how good he is… we may have to go to America for that defining fight."
