Ranking Kell Brook's top five options after dominant Amir Khan win

George Priestman
and others
• 7 min read
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Following Kell Brook’s fantastic demolition of long-term British rival Amir Khan, the boxing world was already talking potential opponents for Brook just minutes after the action-packed fight had concluded.

Despite both fighters claiming they would talk to their families to discuss whether they would retire or not, Brook’s stock in the U.K. now seems to be at an all-time high.

Two current British stars in Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn both expressed an interest in facing Brook within a half hour of the fight ending, which got fans speculating and arguing over what should happen next.

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In light of these call-out’s, Sporting News has looked into the top five options "Special K" has following his brilliant win over Khan.

5. Khan Rematch

Of course, this is extremely unlikely, as both Amir Khan and Kell Brook are seriously considering hanging the gloves up, but it features as an outside choice on this list.

With the success of the fight, fans really enjoyed the event. Some wanted to even see an exciting fight between the pair once again. There was a rematch clause apparently linked with the bout, but it’s more likely we’ll see Khan retire given the heavy nature of the defeat.

The main takeaway from the bout is that Khan’s career appears over. Perhaps Khan and Brook have just a little bit of fire left, resulting in another all-English super-fight…

4. Liam Smith

A surprise inclusion to the list perhaps, but the Liverpudlian fighter is a fan favorite in England. He has never ducked or avoided any fight over the course of his successful career.

Smith, 33, is currently preparing to face Jessie Vargas to earn another world title opportunity in the super-welterweight division. However, after a Twitter frenzy surrounding the topic of Brook’s next fight, "Beefy" weighed in. Smith claimed after his fight with Vargas he would happily face Brook or Eubank.

The former WBO welterweight champion is no stranger to all-British grudge matches, having beaten former Eubank opponent Liam Williams (twice), Sam Eggington and, most recently, Anthony Fowler in an all-Liverpool grudge match.

It's likely Smith has bigger fish to fry, as he closes in on a world title shot. If the title scene is tied up following the Vargas fight, then there's a chance he won't turn down a career-high payday for either fight, both of which he is highly capable of winning.

3. Conor Benn

A fighter who’s grown exponentially in recent years is Conor Benn, 25, who’s rise with Matchroom has seen him become a major player in the U.K. boxing scene.

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Beating former world title challengers in the form of Sebastien Formella, Adrian Granados, Samuel Vargas and, most recently, Chris Algieri has seen the Essex fighter become a genuine star on the British shores.

After reportedly telling Khan after his fight that he would "get revenge" for him, he claimed he wants to face Brook next in another great British matchup.

Benn is searching for an opponent for an April fight date, with Maurice Hooker and Chris van Heerden as frontrunners. His public call out of Brook could be another perfect step up for Benn. It’s a fight that Brook would back himself to win, given the wealth of experience he has over the "Destroyer."  

With Brook unlikely to win a title at 147 or 154, a fight with Benn could be the perfect send-off fight. It could also result in another another huge payday.

For Benn, he gets a chance to solidify his status as a PPV star and add to his ever growing and impressive boxing CV.

 

2. Chris Eubank Jr.

Another man who decided to call out Brook following the Khan fight was Chris Eubank Jr.

It was only two weeks ago Eubank was embroiled in another Twitter debate with Benn. A fight would see them follow in both their father’s footsteps by competing against each other.

While joining the commentary team post-fight for Khan-Brook, Eubank called out Brook, claiming the Sheffield fighter was the reason that he never got to fight Gennadiy Golovkin all those years ago.

There seems to be some angst there for the Brighton fighter, but with Eubank being the bigger man, fighting consistently at 160 pounds, the fight would need to be at a catchweight of 155, according to Brook.

However, Eubank, 32, claimed since Brook stepped up in weight when he fought GGG at 160, he could do it again to fight him.

Eubank moved closer to a world title shot in the middleweight division following his dominant win over Liam Williams recently. The world champions he's chasing, however, are currently tied up in discussions, meaning he could be free for a fight in the summer.

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Perhaps a cherry pick given Eubank is the bigger and younger man, it would no doubt equal or surpass the hype and money that the Khan fight delivered. The fight certainly lends itself more to a Eubank win rather than a Brook win. It is a fight that favors the fans and Eubank, but perhaps not Brook, especially at 160.

1. Retire

In the aftermath of the win, the general consensus from fellow fighters, pundits, and fans is that they would like to see the Sheffield man retire.

At 35, it’s unlikely Brook could win a world title at 147 or 154 pounds. His last attempt in late 2020 against Terence Crawford ended with him being brutally stopped in just four rounds.

While the Benn, Eubank Jr., and even Smith fights sound brilliant on paper, especially because they would all do big numbers on PPV, Brook would be facing fighters in their respective prime’s during a time that he is out of his. He would come with that disadvantage and could lose in a heavy defeat, much like Khan did.

Seeing Brook retire on his own terms and going out on top after a major win feels right. Perhaps it’s the ending he deserves after those really tough losses to Gennadiy Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr. earlier in his career. Brook's made plenty of memories and money in the sport, and going out on top after defeating a bitter rival is the ending everyone hope Brook takes.

Author(s)
George Priestman