Kell Brook is already firm favourite to retain his IBF Welterweight belt against highly-rated American Errol Spence Jnr in May.

Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn had been in talks with Amir Khan’s camp about a British super-fight but agreement could not be reached.

Brook has now agreed terms with the mandatory challenger Spence – who will be the fourth person to try and take the belt from the Sheffield fighter.

Hearn’s man has not been in the ring since he moved up two weights to challenge brilliant Kazakh Gennady Golovkin in September – after which he needed surgery on a broken eye socket.

Terms agreed for @SpecialKBrook v @ErrolSpenceJr -full announcement coming soon -fight will take place in the UK. Best fight in the division

— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) February 13, 2017

Eddie Hearn believes the fight with Spence is a massive one and said: “This fight is five times harder than Amir Khan – but he doesn’t want to take on Brook, he knows when he gets knocked out by Brook he will over, but even then I am not sure he will do it.”

Brook is already seen as firm favourite by bookmakers for the clash which is set to be in Sheffield at the end of the May. WilliamHill price Brook at 4/5, Errol Spence Jnr at Evens and the draw 20/1.

Brook the one to beat

Our Boxing expert Tim Rickson also believes that Brook will be too good for Spence and told TheGamblingTimes.com: “Spence has earned his shot and is a top prospect and destined to be a World Champion, however, I don’t believe it will be at the expense of Special K’s honours.

“Brook still has one of the best jabs in the game, an intelligent boxing brain and is as tough and hard-hitting as they come”

“Brook is tried and tested against the best, whereas Spence is yet to be properly tested. Brook still has one of the best jabs in the game, an intelligent boxing brain and is as tough and hard-hitting as they come.

“I’d back Brook on a points win as opposed to the majority that think Spence will wipe him out.”

And WilliamHill are already pricing up Brook as favourite for a potential super clash with Khan. They rate Brook at 8/11 and Khan at 11/10

Speaking to TheGamblingTimes.com, WilliamHill spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke said: “We think Kell Brook has the edge over Amir Khan. There’s not a great deal to choose between them but Khan has slipped down the rankings and has something to prove. Perhaps underdog status might being out the best in him.”0

But perhaps boxing legend Manny Pacquiao might step in before Khan and Brook get to clash as he has asked his fans to vote on his next opponent with Bolton star Khan proving popular.

Who do you want me to fight next in the UAE?

— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) February 12, 2017