Kell Brook eager to face Keith Thurman in unification clash

British welterweight Kell Brook has said that he "needs" to face Keith Thurman after watching his rival successfully defend his WBA title on Saturday night.

Thurman impressed as he scored a narrow points win over Shawn Porter in New York to extend his unbeaten record to 27 outings.

IBF belt holder Brook is expected to face WBO champion Jessie Vargas later this year but the Sheffield fighter has already turned his attention to a highly-anticipated meeting with Thurman.

The 30-year-old told Sky Sports News: "I need to get in with Thurman. I need to collect this belt from Vargas and then me against Thurman. He's got a lot of respect for me and vice versa.

"I think it'd be a massive fight and would top this (Thurman's fight with Porter) with how exciting it'd be."

Brook has held the IBF title since dethroning Porter in August 2014.