Tag Archives: Kell Brook

Posted on 05/07/2022

By: Hans Themistode

As Kell Brook looks back on his noteworthy career, he’s immediately filled with both joy and satisfaction.

In 2004, at the tender age of 18, Brook entered the ring for the first time as a professional. Nearly a decade later, the British star achieved a lifelong dream of becoming a world champion.

Yet, having taken on some of the best names that the sport of boxing has to offer, Brook believes his time underneath the pugilistic bright lights has come to an end.

“I’ve had a long chat with my family and my parents, and it’s over for me,” said Brook. “I’ll never box again.”

Brook’s recent revelation comes off the back of arguably his proudest achievement. Following years of back and forth banter with long-time rival Amir Khan, the two officially squared off in the ring to put their bad blood to bed.

A jam-packed crowd filled Manchester Arena on February 19th, 2022. A visibly irate Brook marched forward from the opening bell, keeping a high guard while the lightning fast blows from Khan bounced inconsequentially off his gloves.

As Brook began finding his range, he battered his man, ultimately resulting in a sixth-round stoppage victory. Shortly after, Brook revealed that despite being 36 years of age, he felt young and spry. Further backing his words, team Brook quietly began negotiations for his next ring appearance with welterweight contender Conor Benn and former middleweight interim titlist, Chris Eubank Jr., emerging as frontrunners.

However, over the past few days, talks between both parties had gone cold as Brook has opted to instead, hang up his gloves for good.

Brook, while completely satisfied with how his career played out, is unsurprisingly poignant as he holds back tears and stutters over his words. Throughout it all, Brook acknowledges his dark moments, including suffering back-to-back broken orbital bones in consecutive defeats at the hands of Gennadiy Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr.

Still, regardless of his sour moments, Brook also smiles at his prestigious and memorable victories. Nonetheless, more than his unforgettable victory over Shawn Porter which led to his first world title reign and more salient than sharing the ring with pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford, Brook is most proud to be leaving the sport he once loved on his terms.

“It’s a little emotional to be actually saying this out loud. My mom [Julie] is relieved. I think everyone around me is pleased. It’s been a long journey and all I’ve known. “I’ve been a world champion, and that night against Shawn Porter in California will live with me forever. As will my last fight with Amir.

“I’ve been in the ring with Golovkin, Spence, Crawford, and I finally got my fight with Amir Khan. After that, I don’t think I needed to go on anymore. Truth is, boxing is a very, very tough, dangerous sport, one in which you can be legally killed in the ring, and I’ve finished now with all my faculties intact.”

Posted on 03/07/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Well before Kell Brook violently closed the door on his rivalry with Amir Khan, Eddie Hearn was already envisioning a showdown between the former IBF welterweight titlist and current welterweight contender, Conor Benn.

Considering that Benn has walked through everyone placed in front of him, Hearn believes he has a future superstar and soon-to-be world champion on his hands. More than anything, the longtime promoter is attempting to boost Benn’s popularity while increasing his overall resume.

Although Hearn is convinced that a win over Brook would do just that, he reveals that coming to terms on a financial agreement with Brook is utterly impossible at this point.

“I don’t want to tell you what he asked for but it was slightly OTT (over the top),” said Hearn during an interview with IFL TV. “I basically offered him more than he got to fight Amir Khan. They asked for over three times what I offered them.”

In Hearn’s opinion, Brook’s brazen monetary request places an all British contest against Benn on ice for the time being. However, even if Brook were to lower his pecuniary demands, Hearn believes he’ll still be forced to dig deep into his pockets to acquiesce another British star, something he isn’t willing to do.

“I’ve heard actually, that Amir Khan is going to invoke the rematch clause, bizarrely. People have already contacted us saying, ‘would you like to pay us step aside to not invoke the rematch clause.’ You go on and do Khan/Brook 2.”

Just a few short weeks ago, Brook and Khan settled their pugilistic rivalry in the ring. Following years of pent frustration and persistent call-outs, Brook handed Khan a one-sided beating in front of a jam-packed British crowd at Manchester Arena.

Brook pummeled Khan into submission, forcing referee Victor Loughlin to call a halt to their contest in the sixth round. Before the two fought in the ring, however, as part of their long and drawn-out negotiations, Khan installed an immediate rematch clause on his side of the deal. While it’s unclear if Khan will, in fact, invoke his right to face Brook once more, Hearn is led to believe that there’s a good chance that the former Olympic silver medalist and one time unified 140-pound titlist will do so.

Until Brook gets things in order, Hearn isn’t interested in stalling the career of the 25-year-old Benn. With victories over Adrian Granados and Chris Algieri in 2021, Hearn is anxious to continue Benn’s maturation process. As for what could be next, Hearn refrained from naming an exact target. He did, however, unveil when everyone can expect to see Benn walk through the ropes again.

“His next fight will be announced for April 16th.”

Posted on 02/25/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Chris Eubank Jr. didn’t have high expectations. The former middleweight interim titlist threw on a dapper outfit and snuggled comfortably into his ringside seat this past weekend at Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom.

Like many, Eubank Jr. was curious to see how the long-anticipated showdown between Kell Brook and Amir Khan would play out. Considering that both are now 35 and no longer in championship contention, Brook wasn’t expecting much.

Yet, following six rounds of dominant action, Eubank Jr. shook his head in approval. Brook punished Khan repeatedly until referee Victor Loughlin was forced to step in and call a halt to their contest.

In Eubank Jr.’s opinion, Brook still has plenty left in the gas tank. Now, after that admission, Eubank Jr. is wondering how a matchup between them would play out.

“I’m not gonna lie, I was not expecting that kind of performance from Kell,” said Eubank Jr. to Sky Sports Boxing. “Dominance from round one until it finished. He proved that he still has the spice. Now I want to see how spicy he can get with me. I’m not Amir Khan.”

Following Brook’s win over Khan, the former 147-pound belt holder found his name on the lips of several notable fighters. In addition to Eubank Jr., both Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Conor Benn expressed an interest in facing him. But while matchups against the two welterweight contenders could drum up interest, Eubank Jr. believes that a showdown between himself and Brook brings more flare and genuine bad blood to the table.

Eubank Jr.’s biggest issue with Brook stems from his 2016 showdown against Gennadiy Golovkin. Brook brazenly moved up two full-weight divisions to challenge a then-undefeated Golovkin for his middleweight titles. Although many praised Brook for his willingness to put his undefeated record on the line, Eubank Jr. was left shellshocked by the entire event.

For years on end, Eubank Jr. has called for a showdown against Golovkin. And while he’s still hoping that they’ll be able to face off in the ring, Eubank Jr. blames Brook directly for snatching the Golovkin fight right from underneath his nose.

“We have history, he’s the reason I didn’t fight Golovkin all of those years ago. I’ve never forgiven him for that. I’ve always held that against him. That was my fight.”

Even with both Brook and Eubank Jr. competing two weight classes apart, Brook has recently called for his much bigger opponent to drop down to 155 pounds. Eubank Jr., on the other hand, wants no part of such a move.

Although it’s unclear who will ultimately win the weight tug of war, Eubank Jr. believes he wields most, if not all, of the negotiating power. As the 160-pound contender looks at Brook’s current options, he has one rhetorical question for his longtime rival.

“Who else can he go to? There’s nobody else out there for him.”

Posted on 02/24/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Kell Brook violently ended his long and bitter rivalry with fellow Brit, Amir Khan.

With the boxing world waiting tirelessly for the pair to finally share the ring with one another, the two officially locked horns this past weekend in Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom.

Khan, 35, boxed well on the outside early on. His moments of success, however, were ultimately transient as Brook bullied his man. The former IBF welterweight titlist forced referee Victor Loughlin to jump in and save Khan in the sixth round as he dished out a merciless beating.

Since the win, Brook’s name has been linked to current unified welterweight contender Conor Benn and former middleweight interim belt holder, Chris Eubank Jr. At the moment, it’s unclear which path Brook will eventually choose. That said, Vergil Ortiz Jr. wouldn’t be opposed to stepping into the ring with him next.

A showdown against Brook could provide the 23-year-old with another former titlist to add to his ever-growing resume. But while Ortiz Jr. sees the benefits of facing Brook, he’s hesitant to face the 35-year-old due to one glaring reason.

“It’s a good fight,” said Ortiz Jr. during an interview with Fight Hub TV. “The only thing that worries me is that are people going to discredit a win over him? People are going to say that he’s old.”

Although Brook’s birth certificate has collected a considerable amount of dust, following his win over Khan, Brook revealed that he’s feeling as young and spry as ever, even going as far as to say that he felt 23 again.

Though a showdown between Brook and Ortiz Jr. is incredibly unlikely, if the heavy-fisted 147-pound contender wants to throw his name into the mix, he’ll first need to take care of business against Michael McKinson. The two are officially scheduled to face off on March 19th, in Los Angeles, California.

Posted on 02/20/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Not even in Amir Khan’s wildest dreams could he have envisioned his showdown against Kell Brook playing out the way it did.

Following years of verbal jabs, homophobic slurs, and every curse word imaginable, the British stars finally stepped into the ring against one another in an attempt to prove who was the better fighter.

A confident Khan sauntered his way through Manchester Arena late last night with pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford standing firmly in his corner. Khan started off well. He danced and moved across the ring while landing a few heavy jabs. Yet, his entire demeanor changed the moment Brook began finding him with huge shots of his own.

There was a pep in Khan’s step soon after, as he did his best to stay away from Brook’s power. With his legs wobbling from each blow and with the former Olympic silver medalist running out of room to move, referee Victor Loughlin mercifully shook his head and stepped in to save Khan from further punishment.

While he was all smiles shortly after, embracing Brook in the center of the ring and officially putting their rivalry to bed, on the inside, Khan was apoplectic.

“I’m very upset,” said Khan to Sky Sports Boxing following his defeat. “I just couldn’t get it going you know, falling a little bit short, was missing quite a lot.”

The loss for the 35-year-old Khan places him in a difficult spot. At one point, he was one of boxing’s biggest stars. While his name still remains amongst the most notable in the sport, his overall game has eroded.

Admittedly, the hand speed is still eye-catching, the footwork is still there, and the punching power is still respectable. However, the desire to bite down on his mouthpiece and fight through the fire that boxing presents isn’t.

As Khan looks back on his career, he smiles proudly. His waist has been laced with world title gold on multiple occasions and his neck still bears his 2004 Olympic silver medal.

But, despite all that he’s accomplished, Khan feels a sense of apathy when discussing the sport of boxing. Considering everything he’s accomplished, he now realizes that Brook may have just pushed him over the retirement finish line.

“40 fights, a lot of fights. Winning two world titles, fighting up and down in America and around the world. I need to sit down with my family. But I think it is more towards the end of my career. Obviously, that love of the sport is not there anymore. I used to have that excitement and that push but I just didn’t have it in me. I felt quite flat. I think that’s maybe a sign for me to know that maybe I should be calling it a day maybe but let’s see.”

Posted on 02/19/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Throughout the course of their as pros, both Amir Khan and Kell Brook carved out championship-level careers in the sport of boxing. With both men proudly placing the British world on their backs, a showdown between them began brewing nearly a decade ago.

Yet, despite spending years near the top of the boxing mountain, a showdown between them never materialized. That is, until now.

At the age of 35 and no longer in their respective primes, Khan and Brook filled the Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom for their headlining event.

To kick things off, Khan bounced up and down on his toes and waited patiently for the opening bell to ring. Once it did, he immediately took the center of the ring and found Brook’s chin with a well-timed jab. Unaffected by the shot, Brook placed his hands up high and began walking his man down.

Khan boxed and moved on the outside and avoided the looping right hands that perpetually came in his direction. With Khan seemingly on his way to banking the round, Brook landed an eye-catching left hand, leaving Khan on wobbly legs. While Khan would survive the round, Brook would go on to punish him for the duration of their contest.

In the second round, Brook came out strong. He pressured Khan to no end. Though he appeared uncomfortable at times, Khan steadied himself in the second half of that second period. The former Olympic silver medalist found moments of success during the back half of the round but it quickly fizzled out in the third.

A strong double jab to start the round pushed Khan into the ropes. A smiling Khan shrugged his shoulders and smiled as he continued to fight on the back foot. As Brook kept up his relentless pace, he smirked as he watched Khan wilt under his nonstop pressure.

With Khan coming out to begin the fifth round, he appeared fatigued but more than willing to keep fighting. In an effort to keep Brook off him, he decided against boxing and moving. Instead, he bit down on his mouthpiece and brazenly fought fire with fire.

Bemused by Khan’s new game plan, Brook welcomed his longtime domestic rival to a back and forth fight. On several occasions throughout the round, Khan’s near lifeless body bounced against the ropes. Following the end of the round, Brook muscled Khan into the ropes and nearly pushed him over the top in a bullying tactic.

Moments later, Brook’s aggressive nature and pernicious power shots forced referee Victor Loughlin to mercifully step in and put an end to the one-sided massacre.

With their rivalry officially behind them, both Khan and Brook embraced in the center of the ring with the UK crowd in Manchester Arena roaring in approval.

Posted on 02/19/2022

By: Hans Themistode

It’s a fight that fans have been calling to see for nearly a decade now.

Both Amir Khan and Kell Brook, while bitter rivals, have a ton in common. Both, of course, hail from England, are at the exact same age at 35 and held world titles at one point during their respective careers. Most importantly, both guys are well past their primes.

Following years of nonstop trash talk and the acceptance that they’ll never tango in the ring, the pair will finally get it on in Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom later on tonight.

Like most of us, oddsmakers are having a hard time seeing how this one plays out. Neither man will be fighting for a world title anytime soon and both have spent most of their recent time sequestered on the sidelines.

In the case of Khan, he suffered a one-sided knockout loss at the hands of Terence Crawford, now his biggest supporter, in April of 2019. The Olympic silver medalist picked himself up by his bootstraps, dusted himself, and sought a much easier opponent, ultimately selecting former super featherweight contender, Billy Dib. Khan would go on to easily stop his man in the fourth round of their showdown in July of 2019.

As for Brook, his most recent form hasn’t been impressive either. With his body still appearing to be made from granite, his chin is a bit more on the delicate side nowadays. In his most recent ring appearance, Brook, ironically enough, was also stopped at the hands of Crawford. The two squared off in November of 2020, with Brook faltering midway through the fourth round.

Khan, overall, has had the better career. He dominated during his time as an amateur, wrapping his time in the unpaid ranks with a record of 101-9, an Olympic silver medal, and a unified title reign at 140 pounds. Yet, despite what he’s accomplished, Khan’s past achievements are viewed as a thing of the past. Most oddsmakers have tabbed him as a slight underdog at +135 with Brook checking in at -165.

In our view, the betting market got this one wrong. The punch resistance of both Khan and Brook have seen better days. But unlike Brook, Khan still has the speed and overall skills advantage going for him in this one. If this contest took place when they were in their primes, we’d side with Brook but with both men having little to nothing left, their showdown should be viewed as a pick em.

Overall, Khan has just a little bit more in the tank and should be able to pull off the victory. We’ll take the speedy Khan in the upset of a contest that’s way past its expiration date.

Posted on 02/11/2022

By: Hans Themistode

Amir Khan simply despises Kell Brook. He has for years. With the pair officially set to square off on February 19th, in Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom, Khan is anxiously checking the hourglass as their showdown gets closer and closer.

While Khan has openly admitted to loathing his rival, he does acknowledge his overall skills. In fact, with their contest roughly one week away, Khan believes that his showdown against Brook is almost like fighting a slightly lesser version of himself.

“We have very similar styles,” said Khan to a group of reporters. “He’s very explosive at times but I don’t think he has the same work rate as me or has the same speed as me.”

Brook, 35, used his previously mentioned speed and power, as well as his overall skills and durability, to snag the IBF welterweight crown against Shawn Porter in 2014. During his near three-year championship reign, Brook would go on to defend his title a total of three times. However, since then, Brook has suffered brutal stoppage defeats at the hands of Errol Spence Jr., Gennadiy Golovkin, and most recently, Terence Crawford.

In bouts against Golovkin and Spence Jr., Brook showed tremendous heart and an iron chin before succumbing to their nonstop offensive onslaught. However, during Brook’s showdown against Crawford, the pound-for-pound star stunned the British product with a jab in the fourth round. From there, Crawford landed several unanswered blows before referee Tony Weeks was forced to call a halt to their contest.

Khan, of course, watched closely as he witnessed Brook meet his untimely demise. At one point, Khan viewed Brook as having a high threshold for pain. At this point in his career, nonetheless, Khan suspects that the damage Brook has endured throughout his career has caught up with him.

“Honestly speaking, I don’t think Kell has a good chin or can take a good shot. I think his punch resistance is gone, literally gone.”

Posted on 01/19/2022

By: Hans Themistode

For years on end, Kell Brook and Amir Khan appeared to be on a collision course. With the two stars hailing from the United Kingdom, having enormous fanbases, and winning world titles at one point in their respective primes, the boxing world urged them to face each other in the ring.

Yet, despite the constant pleas, neither side was successful in its efforts to make their contest a reality. Although both fighters will finally step through the ropes against one another on February 19th, in Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom, neither fighter is considered to be at their physical best any longer.

All along, Brook pointed a blaming finger in the direction of Khan. He verbally chastised Khan while making claims that the former Olympic silver medalist wanted no parts of fighting him. As their showdown inches closer and closer, Khan admits that it was in his personal best interest to face a much more diminished version of Brook, rather than the one who was once considered one of the best welterweights in the world.

“100% it’s a business, it is what it is,” said Khan recently during a virtual presser. “Why not? He’s still Kell Brook, he still talks the same, he still feels the same way about fighting me and he still feels that he can beat me. I just don’t think he has it in him. He’s not the same Kell Brook he was before. A couple years ago, he would’ve given me a harder fight for sure. But now, he doesn’t have a chance. It’s probably better fighting him now because he’s already half-broken.”

At one point, Brook had effectively worked his way up from relative obscurity to an elite-level fighter. In 2014, after spending the vast majority of his career in England, Brook traveled halfway across the world to America to challenge then IBF welterweight belt holder Shawn Porter. Though he was pegged as a sizable underdog, Brook boxed well on the night, producing his best results, a 12 round majority decision win.

Brook would then go on to defend his newly won trinket three times before ultimately suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of Gennadiy Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr., the latter resulted in the loss of his welterweight title.

Since those aforementioned defeats, Brook has grown inactive and no longer appears to be in his fighting prime. The 35-year-old was last seen in the ring against Terence Crawford in November of 2020, losing via fourth-round stoppage.

While Khan, 35, is no longer considered to be at his physical best as well, the former unified 140 pound titlist believes he has much more left in the tank.

Although their long-awaited showdown is now just a few weeks away, Khan simply can’t wrap his head around the thought of defeat to his rival. Considering the wear and tear that Brook has endured, including suffering two broken orbital bones, Khan readily admits that before the injuries and age caught up to him, Brook was a much more difficult opponent to deal with.

However, should Khan pick up the victory against a more diminished version of Brook, he believes history won’t frown upon when they fought. Instead, it’ll only add to his legacy.

“Beating a Kell Brook now or beating him five years ago, I don’t think it makes a difference. When people read on my resume that I fought Kell Brook, they aren’t going to look what year that was so I don’t think that matters now.”

Posted on 12/23/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Through clenched teeth, Kell Brook could barely hold his excitement for his upcoming showdown against Amir Khan. For nearly a decade, the boxing world has wanted to see both Khan and Brook square off in the ring. However, due to a long list of issues, neither side had been able to come to an agreement on a deal, until now.

The two will officially look to put their rivalry to bed on February 19th, at Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom. Although neither man is considered to be in their prime, the boxing public is still heavily interested in their contest. Once tickets became available, they were sold out in ten minutes, the fastest-selling fight in British boxing history.

At the age of 35, Brook has produced several lackluster performances over the past few years. Still, despite his recent form and regardless of his age, Brook reveals that his rivalry with Khan has reinvigorated him.

“Me mojo has come back,” said Brook during an interview with TalkSportBoxing. “I’m putting the work in. I can’t wait to show the boxing world that I’m coming to take his head off.”

With Brook expecting a jam-packed crowd at the Manchester Arena, the former IBF welterweight belt holder will be oblivious to most of the crowd. But while Brook is fully focused on proving that he’s always been the superior fighter to Khan, he does admit that Conor Benn will have at least some of his attention on the night as he’s expected to be sitting ringside.

The 25-year-old has steamrolled his competition of late, something that Brook has taken notice of. Ultimately, the young up-and-comer is hoping to face the winner of Khan vs. Brook in his next ring appearance. Despite sharing a close and personal friendship, Brook appears to be more than willing to put that aside.

“I know that Conor Benn is banging the drum for some big fights. I love a challenge. He looked fantastic, sensational in his last fight against [Chris] Algieri. We’ve sparred together and we’re very, very good friends. I think it would be a fantastic matchup – me and Benn.”

Most recently, Brook came up woefully short in his bid to win a world title against WBO belt holder Terence Crawford. Brook made the long trek from the United Kingdom to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 14th, in 2020 to face the pound for pound star.

Early on, Brook’s jab bothered Crawford. However, his success proved to be transient as the multiple division titlist violently and suddenly stopped his man in the fourth. While it wasn’t the result Brook was ultimately hoping for, he appears upbeat about his boxing future.

If the former titleholder wins his upcoming showdown against Khan, he would be more than willing to show Benn a thing or two in the ring.

“I can show the young pup that I’m still here.”

Posted on 11/30/2021

By: Hans Themistode

With countless matchups in the welterweight division that have yet to be made, a showdown between unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and WBO belt holder Terence Crawford, still reigns supreme as the best matchup in the division.

Considering their skillsets, picking a winner in their hypothetical showdown has often led to mixed answers. Yet, having shared the ring with both fighters, former IBF 147 pound titlist Kell Brook has a good assumption on who would emerge victorious.

“I think you have to lean towards Crawford,” said Brook during an interview with ProBoxing-Fans.com. “Crawford is number one pound for pound.”

In November of 2020, Brook found himself standing across the ring from Crawford in an attempt to recapture championship glory. Though he started well, the British native was ultimately stopped in the fourth round.

Several years earlier, much closer to his prime, Brook placed his IBF welterweight title on the line against an up and coming Spence Jr. Both fighters would take part in a fight of the year contender at the Bramall Lane Football Ground in Yorkshire, United Kingdom in 2017.

Even with Brook fighting on even terms with the Dallas product, he eventually crumbled underneath his relentless pressure, succumbing to an 11th round stoppage defeat.

Although Brook was stopped in more devastating and violent fashion during his recent showdown against Crawford, when asked to pick the more pernicious puncher, Brook didn’t think twice.

“I’d say Spence.”

Presently, Brook is on the verge of beginning training camp for a long-awaited showdown against British rival Amir Khan. Still, even with Brook stating on numerous occasions that he would love nothing more than to shut the mouth of Khan, he’s fascinated by a possible matchup between his two previous conquerors.

Not long ago, Crawford backed Brook’s praise of his skills by becoming the first man to stop former two-time welterweight champion Shawn Porter. Taking into consideration the current form of Crawford, which entails a nine-fight knockout streak and, more importantly, the long list of injuries and inactivity that has kept Spence Jr. out of the ring since a one-sided victory against Danny Garcia, and Brook believes he has no choice but to side with the pound for pound star.

“It would still be very interesting but I think, just with the way he dealt with Porter, I think you have to start leaning towards Crawford.”

Posted on 08/18/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Amir Khan is looking squarely at his boxing mortality.

After capturing silver in the 2004 Olympics, Khan went on to accomplish a multitude of things. In 2009, Khan tasted his first world title when he defeated Andriy Kotelnik for the WBA super lightweight title. He would then become a unified champion two years later, as he stopped Zab Judah to lift his IBF world title.

Despite the long list of great fighters Khan has faced, including Judah, Marcos Maidana, Lamont Peterson, Canelo Alvarez, and Terence Crawford, Khan has continued to hear nonstop questions surrounding a showdown between himself and fellow British countrymen, Kell Brook.

Although the two have failed to negotiate contract terms for the better part of five years, Khan revealed that they are finally making progress in that regard. Considering everything he’s already accomplished, Khan believes that a matchup against Brook would be the cherry on top of his boxing sundae.

“We are in talks,” said Khan during a self-recorded video. “I want to put that guy in his place. Beat him and call it a day from the professional ranks.”

At one point, when both Khan and Brook were at the top of their respective games, a showdown between the pair appeared mouth-watering. Now, with both fighters in their mid-30s and having suffered numerous knockout losses over the years, their high-profile matchup has lost a bit of its sizzle.

Those sentiments, however, are not shared by Khan. Even now, with both fighters clearly past their prime, Khan believes that a showdown between them is as good as it gets.

“The biggest fight out there in the UK is myself vs. Kell Brook.”

On numerous occasions, it appeared as though Khan and Brook were on the verge of signing a deal to face one another. Yet, once fans began expecting a fight announcement, they were left apoplectic as negotiations would seemingly always fall through.

Most recently, Khan appeared on the brink of inking a contract to take on his long-time rival in 2019. Instead, the now 34-year-old opted to take on pound for pound star Terence Crawford, where he was brutally stopped in the sixth round.

Since then, Khan has bounced back, stopping Billy Dib in the fourth round who attempted to move up three weight classes. As for Brook, much like Khan, he was also stopped in devastating fashion by Crawford in November of 2020. Brook has remained on the sidelines since the defeat.

Posted on 04/04/2021

By: Hans Themistode

It’s been a long time since Amir Khan has been seen inside a boxing ring, two years come July to be exact. Although his most recent appearance came in a winning effort against Billy Dib, the brutal sixth-round stoppage defeat at the hands of Terence Crawford three months prior still reverberates in the mind of most boxing fans.

Khan, 34, was dropped and dominated before an apparent low blow brought an end to their showdown prematurely. Following the loss, Khan pondered retirement. But, after having plenty of time to think, the former 140-pound champion doesn’t believe he’s ready to hang up his gloves just yet. In fact, if the British native has it his way, he’ll be facing off with the one name most of the boxing world has wanted to fight for years now.

“I want one more dance,” said Khan during an interview with IFL TV. “Kell Brook is the one that was calling me out all this time and now, we’re coming to a stage where I’ve said, let’s make it happen. It’s funny because Kell Brook isn’t really responding.”

At one point in time, a Kell Brook vs Amir Khan showdown was considered one of the preeminent bouts that could be made. With Brook (39-3, 27 KOs) holding the IBF title from 2014-2017 and Khan (34-5, 21 KOs) amongst the divisions best during that time span, neither side appeared in a rush to make their showdown a reality.

However, with Khan staring his boxing mortality directly in the face and with Brook coming off a fourth-round stoppage defeat at the hands of Terence Crawford, Khan believes the time is finally right. The former Olympic Silver medalist does admit that their best days are long behind them, but still, he firmly believes that it’s a blockbuster-level fight.

“It’s still a big British fight. People will still want to tune in. I know we’re past the prime of our careers but it’s still a fight people would like to see.”

In the mind of Khan, it doesn’t matter if the pair fought in their primes, at the backend of their careers, or at the senior center, the result was always going to be the same.

“He’s very confident and I’m very confident but I don’t see it going past six rounds. I think under six rounds I’ll get a stoppage.”

Posted on 12/29/2020

By: Hans Themistode

Better late than never.

For years now, both Amir Khan and Kell Brook (39-3, 27 KOs) have bashed one another whenever a microphone was present. Throughout most of their careers, the British natives were considered amongst the very best in their respective weight classes. But while they campaigned at 147 pounds for nearly a decade, a matchup between the two never came close to materializing.

Even with Khan (34-5, 21 KOs) signing a promotional agreement with Brooks than promoter in Eddie Hearn in 2018, bringing them to the negotiating table proved impossible. Despite their refusal to face off, both men continued to throw verbal jabs at one another. Now, several years later, Khan believes it’s time to make the bout happen.

“He’s always been running his mouth,” said Khan to the Khaleej Times. “I think it’s about time to put him in his place and shut him up for good.”

It’s been an inactive year for the 34-year-old Khan. His last ring appearance came in July of 2019 against Billy Dib. While Khan managed to score a quick fourth-round stoppage on the night, his win was highly criticized as Dib routinely campaigned three divisions lighter.

Regardless of the win, Khan opted against stepping inside of the ring at all this calendar year. His time away from the ring provided the narrative that after spending a decade and a half as a professional, that the time to hang up the gloves would be right around the corner.

With that being said, the retirement light at the end of his boxing tunnel is still a ways away.

“No, the gloves are still on. I’m thinking of fighting probably next year. It’s just this year was a bad year for everyone. I didn’t really want to fight behind closed doors, I just didn’t really feel like I could motivate myself. Hopefully, if it opens up next year we can make something happen. I want to fight again in March or April time.”

Posted on 11/20/2020

By: Hans Themistode

Fans and media members continue to play matchmaker. Fantasy matchups between unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and fellow belt holders Terence Crawford and Manny Pacquiao, continue to be on mostly everyone’s mind.

While it’s fun to discuss who would win those contests, the never-ending discussions have become disrespectful in the mind of Angel Garcia. The continued conversations essentially mean that his son, former two-division belt holder Danny Garcia, has no chance of dethroning Spence Jr. when the two face off on December 5th. While Angel respects Spence Jr. as a fighter, he believes that his team is looking way too far ahead.

“Right now they counting their chicks without hatching,” said Angel to Fight Hub TV. “Talking about fighting Terence Crawford and Manny Pacquiao. They counting their chicks before it hatches.”

To the chagrin of Angel, a showdown between Crawford and Spence Jr. only intensified with the Nebraska native’s latest performance. Just last weekend, the WBO belt holder dropped former champion, Kell Brook, before ultimately stopping him dramatically shortly after. Since then, Crawford has received his fair share of praise.

Brook, 34, was beaten twice before in 2016 and 2017. Once at the hands of middleweight belt holder Gennadiy Golovkin (GGG) in the fifth round of a contest where Brook moved up two weight divisions and again, one year later. This time to Spence Jr. in the 11th round.

Still, Brook was competitive in both of his losses and never received the sort of beating that Crawford dished out to him before. While the performance may have been impressive to most, Angel simply doesn’t understand why he’s receiving all of this praise and attention.

“Terence Crawford just finished fighting Brook and they act like he just beat superman. GGG put the icing on the cake. He was never going to be the same after the ass whopping GGG gave him. He’s like Khan, he’s a big name in Europe. They love him and he sells tickets but his chin is done.”

Beyond Angel’s issue with Crawford receiving a disproportional amount of credit for what he believes was an easy fight, he also takes umbrage with the lack of respect that his son has received over the course of his career.

“Danny was unified champion. Ring magazine. When he unified titles they said Danny just know how to win. They said he was never pound for pound number one ever. But you got somebody else that wins one fight and they say he’s number one in the world.”