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Amir Khan says bout with Kell Brook will only happen at welterweight

Kell Brook v Amir Khan
Image: Amir Khan says he is willing to face long-time rival Kell Brook at welterweight

Amir Khan says he is interested in facing domestic rival Kell Brook - but insists that an all-British showdown will only happen at welterweight.

Brook, the reigning IBF welterweight champion, is back in the gym after failing in his quest to dethrone middleweight king Gennady Golovkin at The O2 in September.

He has since spoken of his desire to face WBO light-middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, but refused to rule out dropping back down to welterweight following his fifth-round stoppage defeat to GGG.

Khan, who was defeated by Alvarez in May after jumping up two weight divisions to face the Mexican at middleweight, has previously insisted Brook was not in his plans.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10:  Gennady Golovkin (blue trunks) and Kell Brook (red trunks) in action during their World Middleweight Title contest at The
Image: Brook suffered the first defeat of his career against Gennady Golovkin

But the two-time world champion has revealed he is now open to facing Brook and is targeting a clash at welterweight, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan having already called for a bout to be held at Wembley Stadium.

"I think I'd be more comfortable at 147. With the money that's going to be on the table, Brook should consider at least one more fight at 147," Khan told World Boxing News.

Canelo Alvarez (R) throws the knockout punch at Amir Khan during the WBC middleweight title fight at the T-Mobile Arena
Image: Amir Khan lost to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez via knockout last time out

"I think he'd want to take a fight with me. But if it happens, it would have to happen at 147 to be honest. That's where I'm comfortable.

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"I am interested in that fight so that's where it would be. 147 would be better for me."

Brook responded to Khan's comments on Twitter, saying: "@amirkingkhan are you ready to secure this fight with me, a huge showdown in 2017 for all the fans!"

Errol Spence is currently the mandatory challenger for Brook's IBF strap, but Khan feels the 30-year-old may look to swerve a bout with the unbeaten American welterweight.

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"I think Errol Spence is one of the reasons why Brook will move up to 154. He knows he's going to have his hands full against Spence," added Khan, who underwent surgery on a broken right hand in the summer.

"It just shows the type of fighter I am and Brook is. He's has fought so many mandatories without any problem, but when it comes to fighting a good mandatory, he's moving up a weight.

"I'm sure if it was another Jo Jo Dan or Kevin Bizier, I'm sure he would have stayed at 147. There's a difference in going for the big names knowing you're going to get beat, and people think you're going to get beat.

"It takes balls to go in there like with GGG, to fighting someone like Errol Spence where it's a 50-50 fight."

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