Promoter says Amir Khan vs Kell Brook fight 'very close'

Announcement expected Monday that will see British rivals square off in February

Boxing champion Amir Khan meets members of the Rising Stars initiative at the Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Amir Khan speaking during the Rising Stars event held at the Fairmont The Palm hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Former two-time world boxing champion Amir Khan poses for a photograph with Nasser Hamza. Pawan Singh / The National

Amir Khan is aiming to bring mega boxing events in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Suha Aziz giving flowers to Amir Khan. Pawan Singh / The National

Amir Khan posing for the photo with Anoushka Tandon. Pawan Singh / The National

Amir Khan posing for the photo with Dinal Ekanayake. Pawan Singh / The National

A long-awaited fight between British rivals Amir Khan and Kell Brook is set to be announced on Monday.

Ben Shalom, the chief executive of promoters Boxxer, says the bout will be held in Manchester in February with an official announcement to be made in the next 24 hours.

Shalom told talkSPORT radio: “It’s no secret, for the past two months we’ve been trying to make Amir Khan against Kell Brook.

“I think it’s a fight that every boxing fan has wanted to see for years and years and there’s been a lot of competition – every promoter has wanted it, no matter what’s being said and what isn’t being said.

“I think we are very, very close now and hopefully we’ll announce that on Monday and it will take place in February in Manchester.”

Former WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion Khan, 34, last fought in July 2019 when a victory over Billy Dib in Saudi Arabia took his record to 34-5 (21 KOs).

Brook, an ex-IBF welterweight title holder, was most recently in action with defeat to WBO champion Terence Crawford in November 2020. The 35-year-old’s record is 39-3 (27 KOs).

Shalom added: “It’s the biggest fight Boxxer have been involved in.

“Kell Brook fought for a world title last year and looked good up until being stopped by perhaps the pound-for-pound king.

“These guys are ages 34, 35 – you almost get that direct comparison to the [Manny] Pacquiao-[Floyd] Mayweather fight.

“These guys would still compete extremely well domestically. I think they’re both at a similar age, similar point in their career, and if the fight does happen, which it looks very, very close to be happening now, it’s something that I just can’t believe we’re involved in.”

Earlier on Saturday, a post appeared on Khan’s official Twitter feed, featuring footage of him training in the gym, and the message: “Fight news coming soon. Khan v ?”