Of the two British fighters vying for the gig, Kell Brook rather than Amir Khan is more deserving of a pop at ending Floyd Mayweather’s undefeated record next.

Brook’s own undefeated record was bolstered by his convincing defeat of Frankie Gavin last weekend, taking it up to 35 fights. This, in conjunction with the IBF welterweight belt he holds, counts for more than Amir Khan and his supporters’ assertions that he is the bigger and better fighter.

Khan himself struggled to overcome Chris Algieri over 12 rounds in New York the night before a confident Brook faced Gavin at London’s North Greenwich Arena, during which he took more punishment than someone at his level should be comfortable with, especially during the latter half of the fight when he tasted Algieri’s right hand with alarming regularity. Based on his convincing victory against Devon Alexander previously, Khan’s latest performance must be considered a step backwards, exposing again the defensive weaknesses that have long plagued the Bolton fighter’s career.

While his speed, courage and aggression are not in question, Khan’s ring smarts have regularly let him down, responsible for the three losses he carries on his record, none of which he’s rectified by taking rematches with the fighter concerned — ie Breidis Prescott, Lamont Petersen and Danny Garcia. The unwillingness to expunge the aforesaid defeats can only tarnish whatever legacy he leaves behind when he retires and cause him regret in years to come.

Brook v Khan is a no-brainer in terms of its domestic appeal, though perhaps Eddie Hearn — promoter of Brook — was stretching that appeal somewhat in suggesting it could fill the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. With Carl Froch v George Groves II at Wembley Stadium now set as the benchmark of the potency of domestic rivalry, it seems every time a massive British fight looms expectations will be given licence to run riot. The Froch-Groves rematch occupies a special place in British boxing history as a consequence of the controversy surrounding their first clash and the bitterness it unleashed afterwards. Brook v Khan has some distance to travel before it could even come close to that level of enmity and controversy and realistically we are looking at filling an indoor arena rather than a football stadium where they’re concerned.

But, anyway, it is likely all academic — what with Khan again dismissing the possibility of facing Brook in a recent interview, claiming the fight didn’t interest him. The Golden Boy fighter clearly has his feet firmly planted in the US and is desperate to be chosen to face Mayweather next, thereby becoming the latest in a long line of hopefuls to be granted the honour of a place at the Money Mayweather table. It’s almost become an exercise in paying tribute to the pound-for-pound king’s status, the way fighters vie to be “chosen” to share a ring with him.

Thankfully, residing beneath Mayweather’s perch is a host of welterweight challengers to pick from when it comes to Brook’s future. His next likely opponent is Brandon Rios, a fighter who in ticking the box of fan interest while in truth not posing much of a threat is the perfect opponent.

Personally, I would relish the prospect of Brook facing the likes of Keith Thurman, Marcus Maidana or Shawn Porter, not to mention Manny Pacquiao if he decides to continue fighting after his recent defeat against Mayweather.

The point is that IBF world champion Brook inarguably belongs in that kind of company and is entitled to feel confident he could overcome all in the welterweight division with the exception of Mayweather, whom only father time is capable of beating it seems.

As for Khan, he needs to be careful lest he’s remembered less for the fights he had than the ones he refused to take.

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There were many big performances on show at the Eddie Hearn-promoted Rule Britannia show at the North Greenwich Arena last weekend, over and above the main event between Kell Brook and Frankie Gavin.

Kevin Mitchell earned himself masses of respect in losing to WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares. The Londoner stayed with the Venezuelan throughout a brutal encounter and was ahead on two of the three judges’ scorecards when the referee stepped in to stop the fight in the 10th and broke Mitchell’s heart.

However, nobody could have any complaints given that by then both Mitchell’s eyes were so swollen he couldn’t see properly.

Anthony Joshua, or AG as the rising heavyweight star is known, made short, devastating work of Kevin Johnson, despatching the loquacious US fighter in less than two rounds.

Johnson had never been stopped till then, thus adding another layer to the hype that has built up around Joshua and his future potential.

However, the most talked about performance and fighter of the night was Lee Selby, rapidly making a strong case for being heralded as the next big thing in British boxing after snatching the IBF featherweight title from Russia’s Evgeny Gradovich, stopping the champion in the eighth round.

The 28-year-old from Barry in Wales was already drawing comparisons with Floyd Mayweather Jnr over the artistry he brings to the ring, with his latest performance merely confirming that the excitement surrounding him is more than deserved. His movement and sharp counterpunching was a revelation, making the Russian seem as if his feet were planted in cement by contrast.

Selby has now propelled himself into the elite ranks and can look forward to garnering international recognition. His performance was worth the price of the ticket alone and not since Joe Calzaghe has Wales had a genuine world-class fighter to shout about.

They do now.