Amir Khan could not turn down chance to fight Terence Crawford but insists Kell Brook fight can still happen

John Dillon15 January 2019

Amir Khan will make another high-risk attempt to return to boxing’s elite by taking on unbeaten American Terence Crawford instead of staging an all-British clash with Kell Brook.

Former two- time world champion Khan is set to meet WBO welterweight champion Crawford at Madison Square Garden in New York on April 20.

Khan will be a major underdog but believes a victory could catapult him back to the top in the USA at the age of 32 .

It means a meeting with Brook is now unlikely ever to happen despite it being mooted for several years and despite the high-stakes financial efforts of promoter Eddie Hearn to bring to the two former champions together - as they both box under his banner.

Khan will challenge the undefeated WBO welterweight champion after turning down the Kell Brook fight.
Getty Images

“The decision as to fighting Kell Brook or Crawford has been one of the most difficult decisions of my career to date. Clearly, the UK fans want to see Khan vs. Brook, but I could not turn down the opportunity to fight for the WBO title.

Khan will challenge for a world title again on 20 April.
Getty Images

That is not to say that the Brook fight won't happen, as I want that fight to happen as soon as possible. Fighting a world champion won't be easy, but this is exactly the challenge I need at this stage of my career. I am fully motivated and ready for the best training camp of my life.

"Crawford is beatable, and I want that WBO title. It's going to be one hell of a fight.”

The fight maintains Khan’s reputation for being willing to take on the best around against the odds and has echoes of his unsuccessful step up to middleweight to fight Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Las Vegas in 2016, although there is no major weight jump this time around.

Khan hasn't ruled out fighting Brook later down the line.
Getty Images

Khan is reported to be earning a £4 million pay day for meeting 31-year-old Crawford who has scored 34 straight wins and is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound operators in the sport.

The American from Nebraska has held world titles at lightweight, light-welterweight and welterweight.

He is rated the third best active boxer in the sport by The Ring magazine.

Khan has not held a world title belt since he lost the IBF and WBA light-welterweight titles against Lamont Peterson in Washington DC in 2011.

He made a low-key comeback under promoter Hearn’s guidance after two years inactivity following his stunning knockout by Alvarez.

He beat Phil Lo Greco in 39 seconds in Liverpool in April last year and then defeated Samuel Vargas on points in Birmingham last September.

Khan's promoter Hearn said: "There has been a lot of speculation regarding Amir's next fight, but the lure to trying to win another world title was too much to turn down, and now he faces arguably the number one welterweight in the world in Terence Crawford.

"It's a fight he believes he can win, and on his night, Amir has all the speed and skills to beat the very best. I believe it will be a fascinating and dramatic matchup."

Hearn may now match Brook with Australian Jeff Horn in May.

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