Kell Brook targets unification bout with Manny Pacquiao
Monday 7 November 2016 10:07, UK
Kell Brook is targeting a unification fight with newly-crowned WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao (59-6-2 KO38) returned from a seven-month hiatus to claim the WBO strap for the third time in his illustrious career on Saturday, defeating Jessie Vargas (27-2 KO10) via a unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
Brook, the reigning IBF welterweight champion, is back in the gym after failing in his quest to dethrone middleweight king Gennady Golovkin and has opened the door to a possible clash with Pacquiao in 2017.
Following the 37-year-old's victory at the Thomas and Mack Center, Brook tweeted from his official Twitter account: "@MannyPacquiaoTR unification fight at 147. Yes please #2017."
Pacquiao, who was watched at ringside by Floyd Mayweather, had announced his retirement from the sport in April in order to focus on his job as a newly elected politician in the Philippine Senate.
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But the eight-weight world champion showed little ring rust on his comeback and refused to rule out prolonging his boxing career, even hinting at a possible rematch between himself and Mayweather.
Errol Spence is currently the mandatory challenger for Brook's IBF strap, but the 30-year-old (36-1 KO25) has recently urged long-time rival Amir Khan to "step up to the plate" as they attempt to thrash out a deal to meet in the ring.
Brook also spoke of his desire to face WBO light-middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez following his fifth-round stoppage defeat to GGG at The O2 in September.
