_1639292507.jpg)
Eddie Hearn believes another tantalizing British crossroads match-up could be on the horizon, provided one Kell Brook decides to take part in it.
Hearn, the head of Matchroom Boxing, has made it plainly obvious that he would love to see nothing more than for his former client Brook, a former world champion, take on his current charge Conor Benn, the up-and-coming welterweight.
Hearn thinks that would be a major (i.e., lucrative) showdown in light of Brook’s recent sixth-round stoppage over Amir Khan, the long-awaited fight that will go down as one of Brook’s finest moments in his nearly 18-year professional career. Brook and Khan have been circling each other for the better part of a decade, and after numerous starts and stops, they finally agreed to a bout on Feb. 19 at Manchester Arena in Manchester.
After the Khan bout, an elated Brook declined to comment specifically on his future but indicated that he would want to fight again, despite his admitting that finishing his career with a win over Khan would provide the kind of storybook ending that few other victories can match.
Hearn hopes that Brook won’t be so quick to retire, not with millions waiting to be had in a fight against the son of two-time world champion Nigel Benn. Conor Benn began to step out of his father’s large shadow last year with a trio of wins over veterans Samuel Vargas, Adrian Granados, and Chris Algieri. Hearn plans to woo Brook with an attractive deal.
“He’s made a lot of money now with us,” Hearn said of Brook in an interview with IFL. “He’s not going to turn down a few more millions to fight. We talked a little bit about fights. Of course, the fight that I want him to be in is Conor Benn.
“I think it’s a brilliant fight, it’s a crossroads right between a guy who’s been a great fighter for British boxing, a world champion – and Kell is still a very dangerous welterweight – and, in my opinion, the rising star of the welterweight division in Conor Benn.”
Benn (20-0, 13 KOs) is scheduled to fight in April, reportedly against Los Angeles-based, South African welterweight veteran Chris Van Heerden (28-2-1, 12 KOs).
“Obviously, Conor has to take care of business in April, but I would love to see that fight (against Brook),” Hearn said.
Brook (40-3, 28 KOs) has had several suitors come out of the woodwork after the Khan win, including middleweight contender and fellow Brit Chris Eubank Jr.
Eubank, who says he has plenty of longstanding “beef” with the Sheffield man, challenged Brook to a fight at the middleweight limit, but Khan responded straightaway stating that he would not countenance a fight above 155 pounds. Brook fought Khan at 149 pounds.
Hearn thinks a Eubank fight would be a mistake for Brook, based on a simple risk-reward calculation.
“When you’ve got a welterweight contender (Benn) for a lot of money, I don’t see why you’d fight Chris Eubank over Conor Benn,” Hearn said. “They’re both similar in terms of profile and stature. But Conor Benn is your weight.”
“I think Kell has some good options there,” Hearn continued. “We’ll have a chat and see whether the Conor Benn fight can get made. I think we’d have a huge offer for that fight, to be honest with you. It’s a brilliant fight – it’s a dangerous fight, for both of them. But what a thrilling fight. It would be an absolute fire fight.
But I just want Conor to just stay focused on the moment, on his next fight. There’s so much talk about Conor vs. Eubank, Conor vs. Kell. I took a call with Conor on Sunday, [told him], ‘Just stay focused, mate, on your next fight. It’s going to be a tough fight for you.’ He’s laser focused.”
Hearn will give Brook time to savor his legacy-defining victory over Khan. But after a certain point, he will be trying to lure Brook with an irresistible pitch.
“I will be making a major play for Conor Benn against Kell Brook,” Hearn promised. “I will be going to town then. I’m sure we’ll have those conversations when the time’s right.”