Amir Khan Believes He Will Fight Kell Brook Next April

Amir Khan is still recovering from surgery, but he is confident he will be back in the ring within the first half of 2017 and even has an opponent in mind.

Khan spoke to the Bolton News and said the plan is to not only be back in the ring by April of 2017, but also said he wants to face IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, who also has been recovering from injury since his last fight. Brook lost to Gennady Golovkin last September and in the process, damaged an eye socket.

“I want to be back in the ring around April time and then again at the end of the year,” Khan said. “I had the hand operation and it feels brand new. I can’t wait to get in the ring at 147 again, which is my weight division. I think these next few years are going to be my best. I want Garcia but won’t be able to do that in April as he is down to have his unification fight in March. If he doesn’t then I will jump at that. I am going back down to 147 and still have that position as number one mandatory. But I think that (Kell Brook) will be the next big fight for me. It would be massive – a super fight.”

Khan told ESPN several months ago that he had surgery, which involved grafting part of his hip bone onto his right hand, to correct a hand problem that has plagued him throughout his career. He’s admitted that during his recovery time, he was not in the best state of mind due to not being able to fight after the surgery.

“I have been on a downer since the last fight with the injury and all that,” Khan said. “Now I cannot wait to get back in training with my trainer Virgil (Hunter). I need to make sure the fight is right for me. I am one of those guys who will go in with anyone and it may be my downfall sometimes.”

Khan last fought against Canelo Alvarez in May, losing via 6th-round knockout. He is also a former light welterweight world champion.