Kell Brook has revealed to The Sportsman his desire to pursue a fight with Floyd Mayweather. ‘Money’ is said to be considering a ring return against the winner of Brook’s fight with Amir Khan, and the Sheffield-born fighter would welcome the fight.
Speaking to us during a media conference to hype his Manchester super-fight with Khan, Brook went into detail on how much a bout with Mayweather would mean to him.
“It's massive, people are saying he's the best ever. He’s the best in our era in the sport. I think we all recognise that. Before I tie my gloves up I want to really see how good I am with the best out there, whoever the best is.”
The pair have circled each other over the years, with post-fight call-outs of Mayweather being a feature of Brook’s IBF welterweight title defences of 2016 and 2017. While Floyd never seemed keen at the time, it appears the former pound-for-pound king has had a change of heart. With Mayweather retired, and Brook reaching the last straight of his illustrious career, one last bumper fight would make sense for both. It is a thought Brook relishes.
“From a nine year old kid who walked into the gym and didn’t know his left from his right hand. We've been everywhere with (late trainer) Brendan Ingle, with years of knowledge from the sport. Then finally getting to fight the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, some people say ever. It'd just be so unreal for me. Overwhelming.”
@SpecialKBrook appears in our very first episode of podcast 'Split Decision' talking about his upcoming fight with @amirkingkhan...
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Stepping into the ring with the five-weight world champion would be the culmination of an incredible journey for Brook. From humble beginnings to the world welterweight championship, ‘Special K’ has already accomplished a great deal. But a bout with the generation-defining Mayweather would be the icing on the cake.
“I’ve come from a council estate area, walked into the Brendan Ingle gym when my dad took me and just evolved into a fighter that's matched with the best fighter in our era. You can’t really put it into words, to get to that level.”
While Brook was enthusiastic and visibly joyous talking about landing his dream fight, his mood noticeably shifted when talking about his upcoming foe. When it comes to Amir Khan, it is clear there is no love lost. While the issues between them often come across as deeply personal, the main crux of the rivalry is a simple one. For Brook at least, it is all about proving superiority. The former welterweight champion told The Sportsman, “I want to prove that I'm a better fighter than him, a better boxer. I'm just an all-round competitive fighter. I just want to show him, because he is deluded. I want to show him that I'm the man I’m saying I am. I want the fans to witness it and see it. I obviously want to give them a fabulous fight.”
Getting to finally assert dominance over long-time rival Khan is reward enough for Brook. But the possible spoils of victory include a meeting with Floyd Mayweather, and if Kell lands such a fight you get the idea it would be the crowning achievement of an already brilliant career.
*18+ | BeGambleAware
