Khan showdown could yet delay Brook’s bid for world title

Brook twice put the South American on the canvas to the delight of the 6,000 strong home support at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena.

Just 28 seconds into the third, a solid left jab took Saldivia by surprise, leaving him unable to continue and Brook on the cusp of a world title.

The 26-year-old Sheffielder is now targeting IBF world welterweight champion Devon Alexander, with a domestic super-fight with Amir Khan also in his sights.

“I want to do Khan, but obviously my dream, since starting boxing, is to become world champion and bring it back to Sheffield,” said Brook.

“He gives it the chat and it’s been going on a long time but when we get in I’m going to be on him relentlessly to take him out and I will.

“Khan is going to get schooled and he’s going to get taken out really quickly.

“It’s a close one, obviously, we want to get that world title but I do want to take Khan out.”

The win puts Brook into the mandatory position for the IBF world title, currently held by Alexander, after he beat Randall Bailey in New York the same night.

The fight is likely to be early next year, unless he opts to fight Khan first.

With a growing clamour for a domestic scrap with Khan, other options may be pursued instead with promoter Eddie Hearn – while keen to stress the importance of the world title – already mulling over the options of how and where to stage a showdown with Khan.

“We could do a stadium fight in April, or we could go to the Manchester Evening News Arena,” said the Matchroom boss, who during his press conference read out an e-mail from Sheffield United, offering to stage a show at their Bramall Lane ground.

Hearn also believes Khan, who is rebuilding his career following a high-profile spilt from Freddie Roach and the loss of his light-welterweight world titles, would no longer be able to dominate negotiations with his man.

“His next fight is against a lightweight who can’t punch (Carlos Molina),” said Hearn. “What is Amir Khan going to do? You’re talking about a fight which would be box office, that would fill a stadium and pay both fighters in excess of £2m. Where else is he going to get that kind of money? Amir will want to fight on his terms, but that’s not the case now. We’re filling stadiums, breaking viewing figures and the terms would have to be 50-50 and if they can’t get their heads around that, it’s not going to happen.

“If we win the world title and then fight him, he’s not going to take 70-30. I know what his people are about, they are nice people and they love the pound note.”

Brook, who took his professional record to 29-0 (19), was looking to make a statement after a less-than convincing win against American Carson Jones in his previous outing.

That performance raised questions about Brook’s fitness.But the Sheffield man quickly went to work to dispel any such concerns against the man known as ‘El Tigre’.

Brook’s slick movement and measured left jab soon had Saldivia looking flat-footed and outmatched. As the Argentinian came forward Brook was too fast, connecting with a thumping left jab and counter rights.

Brook was measuring his opponent and a superb straight right followed by a right uppercut connected to send Saldivia to the canvas for an eight count.

Just 28 seconds into the third, Brook connected with a solid left jab as Saldivia walked forward, flooring his opponent for the second time. Saldivia bravely beat the count but clearly had not recovered, stumbling back towards the ropes as the referee waved off the contest.

“It was easier than I thought it was going to be, but I’ve done all the hard work, this is the best I’ve ever been for a fight,” said Brook.

Doncaster’s Jamie McDonnell will fight for the IBF world bantamweight title next year after forcing Argentine opponent Darwin Zamora to quit on his stool after the eighth round.