Berto “There’s levels to this game, Kell Brook pays his dues before he’s able to compete.”

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Kell Brook Amir KhanI think it’s just a fight that needs to happen for the people, but at the same time this is a business so if it makes sense, make it happen. I think it makes sense.”

That was welterweight contender Andre Berto(30-3, 23KO’s) speaking to Esnewsreporting.com, and if this was six months ago you’d be forgiven for thinking he was referring to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Thankfully those those two finally got their act together and have agreed to fight on May 2nd, but two of the UK’s most talented boxers are dancing the same dance; orbiting each other with infuriating regularity.

IBF World welterweight champion Kell Brook(34-0, 23KO’s) and former 140.lb. titlist Amir ‘King’ Khan(30-3, 19KO’s) should by now be set to fight one and other, it’s as simple as that. There is no good reason for the fight not to take place but somehow it isn’t here yet, despite the champion’s repeated call for Khan’s head. Khan is content to go a different route, notwithstanding the chance to gain the only title remaining in the division outside of Mayweather and Pacquiao’s grasp, along with the biggest payday of his career. His reasons are unknown, and his alternatives are far less exciting than a match with Brook. He announced recently over his wife’s Youtube channel that he would be facing Chris Algieri (20-1, 8KO’s) next time out before hastening to backtrack on his decision. It is now unclear who he will be facing.

Berto, who shares Virgil Hunter with Khan as his trainer and cornerman, hit the nail on the head when he said;

“Being realistic I think this a fight that needs to happen, both of these guys have a huge following in the UK.”

And both are decorated professional fighters. These are reasons enough it would seem, but apparently not for the King without a crown as far as his team-mate sees it.

“He still wants to make sure Kell Brook pays his dues before he’s able to compete.”

“There’s levels to this game, you can’t just come and make a little bit of noise and expect to get the big dance. I understand where Amir is coming from with that but at the same time the fight needs to happen.”

Kell Brook travelled to the States and thoroughly deserved the win over Shawn Porter last August to win his belt. That is no small feat. In fact, I would say it constitutes more than just “a little bit of noise.”

But here’s the thing; Khan has been performing on an international level ever since he turned pro as a teenager. He did so amidst much fanfare and has rebounded twice from bad knockout losses as a much-improved fighter with an impressive resume. He showed us by the way he shamelessly hounded Floyd Mayweather for a fight(unsuccessfully so far) where he rates himself in the sport. By contrast, Brook fought at the British level for a lot longer than Khan despite turning pro ten months earlier, and has only really began to get himself noticed in the States in the last couple of years. It is by that measurement that Khan deems him unworthy. Brook is not a big enough name for him. It’s either that or he is a little uncertain about taking on his long-time nemesis, but whatever is making him hesitant nobody, but Khan knows for sure.