Ricky Hatton has warned Amir Khan that activating his rematch clause with Kell Brook 'would be a massive mistake'.

It comes after BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom confirmed Khan wants to challenge Brook for a second time.

The British star, 35, came off second best against his bitter rival when the pair met last month in front of 21,00 fans at a packed AO Arena in Manchester.

By the end of the six-round shellacking, Khan was left sporting cuts above his eyebrows, nose and mouth.

And the Bolton-born boxer admitted that he was considering hanging up his gloves as he 'couldn't really get in the groove'.

But that might not be the end of it as negotiations included a rematch clause in the contract which could see the two go at it again for a second time later this year.

Writing in his Metro column, Hatton - who is a friend of the Khans - advised Khan to forget about a rematch while praising him for everything he has achieved during his career.

He wrote: "While it looked like he was ready to call it a day after losing to Kell Brook last month, the rumours are that Amir Khan is ready to activate his rematch clause and fight his old rival again.

Boxing - Amir Khan v Kell Brook - AO Arena, Manchester, Britain - February 19, 2022 Kell Brook poses with Amir Khan and CEO of Boxxer Ben Shalom after winning the fight Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

"But I can’t help but think that Amir would be making a massive, massive mistake if he is to do that.

"Amir is 35 now and has been in the spotlight since he was 17. I just think there are too many miles on the clock. He has suffered a lot of heavy knockout defeats and been in a lot of wars over the years.

"Ultimately I think was the main reason for his performance that night against Kell, he just wasn’t at it.

"It all comes down to that. It’s been a long career for Amir, 40 professional fights against plenty of elite operators.

"He has done the country so proud with his accomplishments, winning his Olympic silver medal all those years ago in Athens before becoming a unified world champion by the age of 24. They are phenomenal achievements. His fighting style has entertained us for years.

"But I can’t help but think that fighting again would be a massive mistake."

Khan's camp have hinted that he wants a second crack at Brook, and Shalom has now verified that the rumours are indeed genuine.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I think the word on the street is true - Amir Khan, he doesn't want to call it a day.

"He has spent a lot of time thinking about the fight the past couple of weeks and he feels like he had ten weeks to prepare and Kell Brook had six months.

"So he feels hard done by. I don't know whether that fight is even possible, but he does have that rematch clause.

"For me, for Kell Brook it's time to move on, whether it's to retire or to fight one of the other names mentioned.

"I can't see it, but Amir is convinced, we will hear what his reasons are in the next few days and we'll have to take it from there."

READ MORE: George Foreman ranks top five heavyweights of all time including Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis