Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn will begin fresh negotiations with Kell Brook 37-2 (26) and Amir Khan 33-4 (20) this week with a view to matching the pair in a grudge match in early March next year.
The massive domestic dust-up has been held up as the pair debate the weight provisions for the fight, with the Khan camp wanting the fight at welterweight with a 10-pound rehydration clause, something that Brook’s team vehemently disagree with.
There appeared to be a minor breakthrough on the weekend when the two shook hands at ringside during the cruiserweight title fight between undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk and challenger Tony Bellew.
“I think early March is the date that is sort of penciled at the moment,” said Hearn to Sky Sports. “I’ve seen the footage where apparently Amir shook his hand and said ‘Trust me, it’s happening’. Hopefully it is. It’s just whether it goes early March, or late May.”
Before the fight can happen, Brook has to get past Commonwealth 154-pound champion Michael Zerafa of Melbourne, Australia, who he will face in Sheffield on December 8.
Khan revealed he will be rooting for Brook in that fight.
“I think it’s time the fight against the Sheffield fighter might happen next,” Khan told Sky Sports. “It’s what I want next, so let’s make it happen.
“But at the end of the day, I want Kell to get through this fight – and in good style – so it makes our fight even bigger. I hope he doesn’t get beat. If he does our fight’s off.
“I’ve topped bills in America but I’m back in the UK, and it’s nice coming back and topping the bill again. But I don’t just want to top the bill, I want to do something special, so it’s got to be a stadium fight. I want to do it in March. Let’s do that.
“After this fight, he will be back down to welterweight, which makes it even better. We agreed on 147[lbs] and he says he is happy doing it, so let’s make the fight happen.
“There’s no excuses now. I just want this fight so I can put him in his place and shut him up. All the talking he’s been doing all these years, I have been the quiet one, so now it’s time he backs his words up.”
Hearn admitted the weight issue is still a major stumbling block to making the fight, with Khan wanting a stipulation in the contract that Brook cannot put on more than 10-pounds in weight between the official weigh-in and the morning of the fight.
“It’s something that Amir wants, and it’s something that Kell doesn’t want,” said Hearn. “Someone has got to give, either way, and either say ‘Okay, I will do it, or alright I don’t want that.’
“But I think Amir learned a lesson from the ‘Canelo’ fight, but that was up at middleweight, which is a different kettle of fish.
“I can understand both arguments, but from a rules point of view, there’s no rule why if Kell makes welterweight, why he should have a 10lb hydration clause, unless it’s for an IBF title, or some kind of IBF sanctioned event.”
 and Amir Khan 33-4 (20) this week with a view to matching the pair in a grudge match in early March next year.){kind=link}