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Why Eddie Hearn won't risk putting his golden goose in the ring with Kell Brook

Brook

Brook is weighing up his options and could return for another huge domestic clash in 2022.

Kell Brook's stock is high following his dismantling of Amir Khan on the weekend.
The Sheffield star claimed bragging rights in Manchester with a sixth-round TKO of Khan and has now been called out by Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.

Khan has since suggested he will retire following a 40-fight career that includes wins over Marcos Maidana, Devon Alexander and Paulie Malignaggi. He also shared the ring with Pound for Pound greats Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

Brook, a former world champion at welterweight, is yet to reveal whether he will fight on but with lucrative paydays still on offer, you can expect to see Brook in the ring at least one more time.

Who is the better option for Brook?

Chris Eubank Jr is more than happy to face Kell Brook next, and made his intentions clear at Khan-Brook.

"He has proved he has the spice, I want to see how much spice he has got with me," Eubank Jr said after the fight.
"We have history. He is the reason I didn't fight Golovkin and I've never forgiven him for that - that was my fight.
"Now I want to see if Kell can do that with me. We can make that fight happen and he has already said he wants to fight me. I think I can beat him and he thinks I can beat him."

Eubank is coming off a domestic win himself over Liam Williams, flooring his rival four times on his way to a points win in Cardiff. At 32, Eubank claimed his ultimate goal was to take on Gennadiy Golovkin and become a world champion so it's questionable that he now wants to take on a fighter who is two weight classes lower than him.

Brook fought at a catchweight of 149lbs against Khan but if the fight is to happen between himself and Eubank then it will have to be much heavier. Could 155lbs work? It would be a struggle for Eubank who has previously fought at 168lbs and more recently 160lbs (middleweight).
However, money talks and it may be a proposition that is too good to turn down for Eubank. Interestingly, if the fight can get made then many will fancy Brook's chances of winning, if it is a catchweight of 155lbs.

Brook may be damaged, but he took no punishment against Khan and naturally, he is much more skilled than Eubank and it is a winnable bout.

Sky Sports would welcome this fight as another pay-per-view event so watch this space.

Brook-Benn too much of a risk?

Eddie Hearn is trying to make Conor Benn become the new poster boy of British boxing now that Anthony Joshua is coming towards the end of his career.
Benn has recorded impressive wins over Samuel Vargas and Chris Algieri - albeit an inactive, old Algieri - but is hugely improved from the Benn we saw in 2017 when the Brit struggled past Cedrick Peynaud.

Hard work pays off and he is in the top five rankings by three organisations (WBA, IBF and WBO) but it's not just his hard-hitting hands that has fans gripped. He is also a second-generation fighter, following in the footsteps of father and British legend Nigel Benn.

"The Destroyer" also has a personality that connects with not only hardcore boxing fans but the casual market - it's a promoter's dream.
Yes, a fight against Brook would do huge numbers, something DAZN are desperate for but in reality, it could hamper Benn's progression.
A defeat to Benn would be a real kick in the teeth for Hearn. Like Joshua, it's important to manage Benn correctly before trying to claim a world title once Terence Crawford or Errol Spence Jr. vacate their titles in 2023.
Benn will fight anyone, but Matchroom may have to be tactical and swerve a Kell Brook who is more motivated than ever after defeating his arch-rival.

Can Brook win a world title?

At welterweight, two opponent's who beat him hold the world titles in Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford alongside Yordenis Ugas who is facing Spence in a unification next.
Brook has the assets to be involved in at least one more huge fight but when it comes to facing the elite, it is a step too far for him at the age of 35.
At 154lbs, Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano are colliding in a rematch to determine the division's undisputed champion.
Brook could have a chance to face the winner but ultimately at this stage of his career, Brook will not entertain any fight that isn't big money.
He may end his career having only won one world title but at least when Brook retires, he will be able to look back knowing he had the last laugh against Amir Khan.

Read more: Boxing schedule for 2022 - Every major fight night, date and venue

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