EDDIE HEARN has revealed Kell Brook will return into the ring in March at 154 pounds – making a future showdown with Amir Khan unlikely.
The Sheffield fighter will be looking for a victory after suffering back-to-back defeats against Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr.
Hearn confirmed the comeback but admitted he does not know when Khan will make his return to the ring.
He told SkySports: “I think Kell will return in March, I’m not sure what Amir is going to do.
“I had a good meeting with Kell Brook last week.
“It looks like he will return in early March at the Sheffield Arena at 154lbs.
“I’d like to see him return in March or April as well, and potentially build towards a fight in the closing period of 2018.
“Amir is in the jungle – I like that move, I don’t mind it.
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“People take the mickey out of him. The thing is with Amir Khan, sometimes his PR has been poor and he has come across terribly.
“But when you sit down with him and meet him, I’ve never left him thinking anything else but ‘he’s a nice guy’.
“Everyone you speak to says the same thing. Maybe the jungle will give people an opportunity to see the real Amir.
“I thought the snake thing was hilarious – but that’s okay because people like you to be exposed and open. He was, and he laughed.”
Khan hasn’t fought since he was sensationally knocked out by the heavy hitting Mexican star Saul Alvarez in 2016.
And even though Brook struggles to make the 147 pound welterweight limit these days, Hearn is still optimistic that he could one day face Khan.
He added: “I know they are both coming off losses but they are both elite fighters.
“The grudge is real. It’s an all-British super fight. I’d like to see them both in the ring, getting some wins under their belts, and moving onto some huge fights.
“Amir Khan has achieved a lot in the sport and still has a lot to give. Khan-Brook is still a huge fight.
“2018 is the year for that fight. Once we start moving to 2019, have we missed the boat?”
