Amir Khan has explained why he turned down the opportunity to secure a lucrative payday against his bitter domestic rival Kell Brook.

Instead, the 32-year-old Olympic silver medalist will touch gloves with Terence Crawford in a fight that is widely viewed as being far more dangerous, and will net the Bolton-born welterweight less money.

Khan views Crawford as a legacy fight, a bout where a victory could elevate his career to new heights. Crawford is regarded by many in the boxing world as one of the best, if not THE best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.

The former world champion will challenge ‘Bud’ for the WBO welterweight title on April 20 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Khan recently confessed he has no regrets over taking less money in a bid to return to the highest level once again.

The Olympic silver medalist is set to earn £5 million compared to the £8 million he could have picked up to fight Brook.

“It makes you a bigger name fighting in the states; I got a lot more fans by fighting in the US,” said Khan, per the Mirror.

“The whole world watches fights in the US. American TV is seen in a lot of countries all over the world and when I’m in different countries people come up to me because they have seen me fighting.

“This fight against Crawford might be a bit less money than the fight versus Brook, but I’m doing it for my legacy and the chance to become world champion again.

“I have a style in the ring that American boxing fans like, so you have to take that risk in life. For my first fight in the US against Paulie Malignaggi, I was making half the money I was making in England, but I took that risk and fought in the US.

“Imagine if I had lost that fight against Malignaggi. I took a pay cut to come to the US and establish myself initially, then I started making good money after my second fight there against Marcos Maidana because I had captured the viewers.

“You have to take risks and not fight in front of your fans all the time. I might be retired by now if I had stayed in England.”

Khan feels that he’s proven his ability against world class fighters in many tough contests, while at the same time he views Crawford as a fighter who has always been matched to opponents who have suited him.

‘King’ also claimed earlier this year that the fight against Brook is still very much a possibility in the near future, but felt he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to potentially become world champion at welterweight for the first time.

He said: “The decision as to fighting Brook or Crawford has been one of the most difficult decisions of my career to date.

“Clearly the UK fans want to see Khan vs Brook, but I could not turn down the opportunity to fight for the WBO title.

“That is not to say that the Brook fight won’t happen, as I want the fight to happen as soon as possible.

“Fighting a world champion won’t be easy, but this is exactly the challenge I need at this stage of my career.

“I am fully motivated and ready for the best training camp of my life. Crawford is beatable and I want that title. It’s going to be one hell of a fight.”

Amir Khan challenges undefeated Terence Crawford for the WBO World Welterweight belt, live on BT Sport Box Office, Saturday 20th April. For more information go to www.bt.com/btsportboxoffice