Brook v Khan - Hearn tempers expectation as boxers express desire to meet

For the first time, however, he is adamant there is a “real desire from both fighters” to finally secure a date.

Matchroom’s Hearn is exploring a possible fight between the two – which would be Britain’s biggest outside of the heavyweight division – for May 2017.

After years of Brook aggressively pursuing his rival, Khan recently became the aggressor on Twitter when in a post referring to the IBF welterweight champion he wrote: “Ready when you are”.

Hearn believes Brook’s recent fight with Gennady Golovkin has grown his profile to the extent Khan is finally tempted to face him, but has also stressed that previous negotiations have progressed further than the present ones without actually succeeding.

“I’m hopeful rather than confident,” said Hearn. “But when both fighters are calling each other out, it’s always a good sign.”

One possible reason Khan, 30, could be tempted is the likelihood Brook will struggle to return to the 147lb welterweight limit having challenged Golovkin at middleweight.