Kell Brook could 'smash Manny Pacquiao to bits' in 2015 says Eddie Hearn

Kell Brook could face Manny Pacquiao before the end of 2015 after the Filipino recovers from shoulder surgery, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.

The IBF welterweight champion faces fellow-Briton Frankie Gavin on 30 May but is already plotting a career-defining bout before the end of the year.

Pacquiao, whose hopes of earning a rematch with Floyd Mayweather have been ended by the American, underwent surgery on a damage rotator cuff last week which is expected to keep him out for between 9-12 months.

But that has not stopped Matchroom chief Hearn from targeting Pacquiao as Brook's final opponent this year, claiming the Sheffield-born fighter could "smash him to bits" if given the chance to face the 10-times world champion.

"We've had talks with Top Rank about Brandon Rios and spoke very briefly about Manny Pacquiao but it's early days," Hearn said.

"My dad has spoken to Bob Arum about it this week and I really think it can happen in November or December once Pacquiao is fit.

"I really think Kell will smash him to bits because he is younger, fresher and in the form of his life where as Pacquiao looked a bit past it."