Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/786708
22 IBF champion Brook has agreed to make the next defence of his IBF title against mandatory challenger Spence Jr, with Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground being con- sidered as a venue on a preferred date of May 27. 'The Special One' switched his attention to Spence Jr after talks for a long awaited domestic clash with Khan broke down and Hearn insists the unbeaten American is "five times tougher". "The Amir Khan fight was there on a plate," Hearn told Sky Sports News HQ. "Let me tell you, this fight is five times tougher than Amir Khan, and this isn't really about the money for Kell Brook. "He has been called out that he would duck this fight against Er- rol Spence, particularly by Amir Khan, and he says no, that's not my style, I'm fighting Errol Spence in front of my people. I'm going to defend my belt with pride and honour." Khan had claimed he could still face Brook, if he defeats Spence Jr, but Hearn insists his fighter's ca- reer has been stalled too much al- ready by talk of the British battle. "I think at Kell's age in his career, he's really in his prime now, we cannot wait around for time wast- ers," said Hearn. "Amir Khan has talked and talked and talked. He's tried to make a deal and priced himself out of the fight, because he doesn't want to lose to Kell Brook. "Khan is a very good fighter, but he knows he will get beaten by Brook and when he gets knocked out by Brook that's the end of it. We have been waiting a long time for this fight and we can't base our career around him. "I believe and Kell believes that beating Spence will make him stand out as the No 1 fighter in the division, and then I still don't think Amir Khan will want it, be- cause something in his head does not want to enter the ring with Kell Brook. We have to move on and we must not deal with time wasters." Spence Jr holds an impressive unbeaten record, but could be forced to challenge the champion at his hometown football club. Hearn said: "Now we are fi- nalising the date and the venue. Bramall Lane is of course the pre- ferred option, we're in talks with the club, and we think we'll get a positive solution. "I think May 27 at the moment is the favourite date and over the next few days we'll be meet- ing with the club, and also the council as well to try and get this dream fight booked in for Kell. It's a dream of his to box at Bramall Lane and I think this is the perfect fight to do it." maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2017 Sport BOXING MOTOGP Dwarna with Mariella Dimech every Tuesday at 21.00 on TVM2 Eddie Hearn: Spence a cut above Khan Kell Brook's IBF title defence against Errol Spence Jr is far more dangerous than a British battle with Amir Khan, says promoter Eddie Hearn Errol Spence Jr Injured Rabat to sit out Phillip Island test TITO Rabat will miss this week's Phillip Island MotoGP test as he continues to recover from injuries sustained in a heavy crash dur- ing the first group gathering at Sepang. Marc VDS rider Rabat sustained knee, foot and wrist injuries when he fell through Turn 11 at the Ma- laysian Grand Prix venue, and was flown back to Europe for an opera- tion. He left hospital last Monday, fol- lowing a weekend of intravenous antibiotic treatment, but concerns over his knee injury, in particular, will keep him out of the next test session. "While the fractures have healed nicely and wouldn't have stopped him from riding in Australia, the knee injury is a different story al- together," said team boss Michael Bartholemy. "Despite intensive physiothera- py, he still doesn't have the neces- sary extension in the joint and he risks popping the stitches – with the associated danger of infection – if he participates in the Phillip Island test. "This is why we made the deci- sion together with Tito to give him more time to recover ahead of the Qatar test, rather than risking everything for little gain by having him ride injured in Australia." "This is the right decision for him and for the team." Jack Miller will thus be Marc VDS' sole representative at the test.