Promoter Eddie Hearn insists he cannot criticise Amir Khan for rejecting a fight with Kell Brook in order to take on Terence Crawford.
The Bolton fighter signed with Hearn last year and the pair were expected to finalise a fight with Brook.
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However, talks came to nothing before Hearn tried over Christmas to set up an all-British battle.
Instead of a domestic clash, Khan has decide to take on WBO welterweight champion Crawford and is set to face a fans’ backlash.
Despite his disappointment, Hearn insists Khan deserves praise for taking the fight. “I can’t tell you I’m over the moon because I wanted Amir Khan to fight Kell Brook,” Hearn told Sky Sports News.
“We talked about money in the last conversation. There was more money to fight Kell Brook than there was to fight Terence Crawford.
You also can’t criticise Amir because he’s fighting pound-for-pound one of the top fighters in world boxing, and it’s a very tough fight.
“It’s a tougher fight than Kell Brook, so you can’t accuse him of ducking, but unfortunately if you ask people watching or at home who they would prefer to see him fight, of course the fight is Kell Brook.”
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