Ahead of his exclusive preview on WBN later this week, ‘The Magic Man’ is positive that Khan will still have Brook on the table on should the bookmakers’ prediction of a Canelo stoppage come true. That outcome would certainly hand all the aces over to IBF welterweight title holder Brook, although Khan would still have enough reputation to fall back on – to even keep the fight at the National Stadium, according to Malignaggi.
“I think the Kell Brook fight is still there, but if Amir gets knocked out early it’s not as valuable. He definitely won’t get the same amount of money he would have before taking the Canelo fight, but I’m sure the Kell Brook fight is always there for Amir. It just won’t be as big and it’s not huge anymore if it’s over early on May 7,” the New Yorker exclusively told World Boxing News.
Malignaggi continued: “Amir can come back, win a couple of fights against second tier opposition and then rebuild the Kell Brook fight – probably even keep it a Wembley.
“It can still be a massive fight, but I just don’t think Amir would have the right to ask for as much money. In the meantime, Kell will remain dangerous and will also be looking for his own big name.
“If Kell beats that massive name in the meantime, it will be very difficult for Khan to find the negotiation he originally wanted to fight Kell Brook. At that point, Kell will deserve a lot more of the money, especially if Khan’s already been knocked out by Canelo.”
Brook, 29, has already been linked to fights with the likes of WBO ruler Jessie Vargas, Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez and even Gennady Golovkin, as the Yorkshireman bids to step up his opposition and gain a foothold on the world stage.
A future fight with Khan seems to be at least a year away from going ahead at this point due to the time constraints of holding the potential UK blockbuster at the preferred choice of Wembley.
Should Khan come through Canelo though and claim the world 160 pound crown, the prospect of the two Briton’s colliding in the near future will significantly diminish. Ironically, Canelo may then become Brook’s next primary target as ‘The Special One’ plots a course to some of the biggest names on offer.
