By Daniele D’Alessio: In a recent interview on iFL TV, Eddie Hearn claims Amir Khan wants step-aside money so Kell Brook can fight Conor Benn.
“We have been approached to pay Amir Khan’s step-aside money so Conor Benn can fight Kell Brook”
However, the Matchroom promoter does not intend to pay Khan and thinks the former light-welterweight world champion does not want the rematch with Brook. Instead, Hearn believes Khan wants a final payday before he retires.
“No thank you, you ain’t gonna fight Kell Brook anyway, so why should we pay you step-aside money?
“Kell Brook won’t even fight Conor Benn at the moment, so the whole thing is just about people nicking a few quid”
According to Hearn, Benn’s next bout will be announced shortly and he is not worried if a fight with Brook doesn’t happen.
“We’ll announce our fight with Conor Benn early next week, he’ll fight April 16th and his star power will continue to rise and he will go on to fight for the world welterweight title.
“If it involves Brook or Khan then no problem but if not we’ll do our own thing”
When asked about the legal ramifications of not paying step-aside money to Khan, Hearn was adamant that such compensation would not be necessary.
“We all know he’s not going to exercise the rematch clause or he might exercise the rematch clause but he’s not going to get in the ring.
“So what he’s trying to say is ‘I’m going to exercise the rematch clause and I’m going to fight Kell Brook but I won’t if you give me a few quid’ and the answer to that is not on your nelly!”
Brook dominated and stopped Khan in the 6th round when their long-awaited grudge fight took place on the 19th of February.
Post-fight, Khan claimed “the love of the sport is not there anymore” and implied that he would hang up his gloves.
As for Brook, his impressive victory against his bitter rival seems to have spurred him on to continue his professional boxing career.
Both Chris Eubank Jr and Benn have expressed their interest in fighting Special K and the man from Sheffield openly said on Sky Sports “my mojos back, they all can get it”.
