It appears Britain's Kell Brook (39-2, 27 KOs) could be the next test for undefeated WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford (36-0, 27 KOs).
Brook's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has revealed that discussions have begun for former IBF welterweight king Brook to potentially challenge Crawford, whose promoter Bob Arum is eyeing a November 14 or 21 in-ring return.
Crawford hasn't fought this calendar year, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brook, meanwhile, finished Mark DeLuca in seven rounds on February 8 to make it three wins on the bounce after suffering the only two defeats of his career before that to Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr.
“I had a couple of conversations with Bob [Arum] and [Top Rank VP of operations] Carl Moretti yesterday. And I feel that’s a big fight for UK TV, so we’re trying to help out and get that over the line,” Hearn told IFL TV.
“I would love to see Kell get that fight. I think [Top Rank] had a conversation with Keith Thurman, and obviously they wanted too much money. It’s difficult at the moment. Crawford wants a lot of money, and Kell wants a lot of money. He deserves it. We’re trying to make that fight happen to assist Top Rank in getting the numbers together.”
In recent weeks, Team Crawford has entertained the thought of taking on Keith Thurman (29-1-1, 22 KOs), but such discussions hit a snag once “One Time” reportedly asked for $10 million.
In June, Arum himself listed the five most suitable welterweight opponents for Crawford's return to the ring. Brook and Thurman were two of those names, along with Manny Pacquiao, Shawn Porter and Yordenis Ugas.