Former champion Brandon Rios slams British boxer Kell Brook and says he could knock out the International Boxing Federation champ in a showdown, in case they meet in the future.

Rios, who is scheduled to fight World Boxing Organization titlist Timothy Bradley on Nov. 7 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, could not help but direct strong words to the undefeated U.K.-born fighter after Brook postponed his fight against Diego Chaves because of a rib injury, Boxing Scene reported, citing the Rios's interview on ES News.

"This [expletive] just saying names to get his name out there, but he ain't stepping up to the plate," Rios said.

"He's fighting guys who can't hit, like Frankie Gavin and some other guy I never heard of [Jo Jo Dan]. Those are guys nobody ever heard about," the Texas-born boxer continued.

The 29-year-old also stated that the IBF titlist just likes calling out other fighter's names and then brag that "they're scared of him," but Rios claimed that he could knock him out and "take his belt" from him. Rios even thinks the World Boxing Association title holder Keith Thurman and former champion Marcos Maidana could also deliver a stoppage win against Brook.

Rios also believes Brook would not even go on with a fight with World Boxing Council silver welterweight titlist Amir Khan, even though he kept on calling out to him, as Brook knew he will suffer from "King Khan's" hands.

Where is Rios coming from?

These statements from Rios may have shocked some boxing fans, especially as it was actually Chaves's fight that was postponed, not his. However, Rios may have a grudge on Brook after their proposed battle this year did not push through.

In July, Brook's promoter Eddie Hearn briefly commented on ESPN why the talks on the Rios-Brook proposed fight were stopped, indicating that the issue lies on the other camp.

"(Brook versus Rios) looks like it's dead. We increased our offer and was happy to accept the rematch in the U.S. but basically I believe he just didn't really fancy the fight," Hearn said.

However, Rios shared in September that it was actually Brook's camp that has several demands, a separate Boxing Scene article noted.

"I thought the Kell Brook fight was going to happen. So I was excited about that and then all of a sudden that guy pulled out with so many demands," Rios said.

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