Monday 29 June 2015 11:11, UK
Kell Brook has revealed Brandon Rios is likely to be his opponent on September 12 but retains hope that Floyd Mayweather Jr will step in and try to unify the welterweight division.
IBF king Brook was last seen on May 30 when blasting out Frankie Gavin at the O2 Arena and is now chasing the big-money clash with Mayweather (48-0-0-KO26) along with Amir Khan and Keith Thurman.
Mayweather, 38, has never fought outside America and recently named Karim Mayfield and Andre Berto as his potential next opponents - but that didn't stop Brook laying down a challenge in frank terms during an interview with Sky Sports News HQ.
When asked about the Rios fight, the 29-year-old said: "Yeah we're very close to making that fight happen now and it looks like it's going to be September 12.
"There's also another fighter who wants to fight on that day and that's Floyd Mayweather Jr. If he wants to compete at welterweight and unify the division then it's a natural choice to fight me.
"He's boxed at a really high level against Manny Pacquiao but is now talking about other names that bring nothing to the table. Me, I'm unbeaten, I bring a world title to the table and I believe I can beat Floyd.
You never know with Mayweather. He's got the rest of the titles and I've got the IBF title so it makes sense.
"You never know with Mayweather. He's got the rest of the titles and I've got the IBF title so it makes sense. I'm unbeaten and I think it'd be a massive fight, Britain against America. I think it's a big, big fight.
"If I were him, I'd keep well away from me. I am hungry and I want to take that zero and turn it in to a one. People would really be excited about that fight. There's me and Keith Thurman that can cause Mayweather problems.
"I'd love to take the task of beating Floyd Mayweather. I'm going to be ready for September 12 whether it's Rios or Mayweather.
"It's looking like it'll be the O2 in London. It's a fantastic arena and I got a fantastic reception there last time."
Brook won his title in August 2014 when he battled to a majority decision over Shawn Porter in Carson, California.
