Kell Brook beats Amir Khan in sixth round to settle bitter rivalry

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Amir Khan and Kell Brook
Kell Brook got here out on high in grudge match with Amir Khan

Kell Brook sensationally beat Amir Khan in the sixth round, with the referee stopping the competition, to settle one of the bitter and long-running feuds in British boxing.

A packed-out Manchester Arena witnessed a demolition job from Sheffield’s Brook, 35, who showcased timing and energy to win in emphatic vogue.

A battle which had been in the making for over 17 years – with the 2 former world champions having buying and selling phrases however by no means punches – ended with Khan and Brook embracing.

The thrilling encounter would possibly mark the top of each males’s preventing careers, with Brook admitting that, though he felt he was again in high kind, retirement was on his thoughts.

“I can reside at peace with Amir Khan on my file,” Brook stated. “My mojo is again and I like this sport. We will hear to family members and see, however I’m again, child.

“I can stroll away however I may battle [Chris] Eubank [Jr]. I do not like Eubank. If the battle is true I’ll battle – I’m a prize fighter.”

Khan, additionally 35, admitted he struggled to swap on through the battle after the sixth defeat of his profession.

“Forty fights is quite a lot of fights. Winning two world titles, going to America… I want to sit down with my household, but it surely’s extra in direction of the top of my profession,” he stated.

“That love of the game isn’t there any extra. When I used to be in the ring (earlier than) I had that pleasure, however I did not have it. I felt fairly flat and perhaps that is an indication I needs to be calling it a day.”

Barnstormer from the primary bell

Kell Brook celebrates
Brook dominated the competition from the primary bell

The bout could have taken place with each fighters in the twilight of their careers, however a raucous crowd of over 22,000 – which included former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher and Manchester City’s Jack Grealish – confirmed simply how massive a draw Khan and Brook nonetheless are.

Brook appeared targeted as he strutted to the ring to Kanye West’s ‘All of the Lights’, his trademark entrance music virtually drowned out by the boos of the group.

Khan – donning a white and gold gown – appeared barely extra relaxed as he made his ring stroll, accompanied by stablemate, former opponent and present world champion Terence Crawford.

Khan and Brook locked eyes in the ultimate seconds earlier than the primary bell and after all of the wait, there was no warning from both fighter as followers have been handled to an exciting opening round.

Khan demonstrated he nonetheless had hand pace in his arsenal with fast combos in the opening half of the round.

But Brook continued to stalk his opponent throughout the ring and caught Khan with a shot which wobbled the Bolton fighter. Khan was then on unsteady legs once more in direction of the top of the round.

Referee steps in to save Khan

Amir Khan and Kell Brook
The referee stepped in to cease the battle in the sixth

Rounds two, three and 4 adopted an analogous sample. Khan would begin nicely, coming rapidly out of the blocks, throwing feints and jabs, making his opponent miss and infrequently connecting with a single shot.

But Brook’s relentless, brutal assault continued in the fifth round. He was dragging a marked-up Khan – who appeared to have misplaced his defence and hand pace – across the ring like a rag doll.

By now it was one-way site visitors and in the sixth round, two proper uppercuts adopted by a left hook – all connecting – pressured referee Victor Loughlin to intervene.

Should Khan and Brook grasp up their gloves?

Kal Sajad, BBC Sport at Manchester Arena

While a loss to his most bitter rival might be a troublesome capsule for him to swallow, it mustn’t outline a profession which he, his family members and followers of British boxing might be happy with.

The method of his defeats by Breidis Prescott, Danny Garcia and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – all vicious, stomach-churning knockouts – typically made Khan, and the supposed fragility of his chin, the butt of jokes amongst boxing followers.

Amir Khan and Kell Brook
Khan (proper, 40 fights) and Brook (left, 43 fights) have each had lengthy careers in the professional sport

But his expertise, achievements and influence on the game surpass that of most boxers to ever lace a glove.

Khan is a fighter who single-handedly carried the torch for Team GB’s boxing squad on the 2004 Olympics, successful silver in Athens.

He is a fighter who paved the best way for future Olympic stars similar to Anthony Joshua, Nicola Adams and James DeGale.

And he’s a fighter who, after being thrusted into the limelight {of professional} boxing aged simply 17, went on to beat high quality champions similar to Marcos Maidana, Zab Judah and Devon Alexander and turn into a unified world champion.

While a few of his losses have come in brutal vogue, it’s that precise vulnerability which has excited boxing followers across the over world over the past 18 years.

For Brook, retiring on a excessive may very well be a lovely manner to depart such a gruelling sport, however he has prompt beforehand he’ll take time earlier than confirming his subsequent transfer.

Should he grasp up the gloves, he can also depart the game together with his head held excessive. While Khan is usually praised for by no means ducking a problem, Brook too has dared to be nice.

In 2014 he defeated he travelled to the champion’s residence metropolis when he beat American Shawn Porter on factors in California to turn into IBF welterweight champion.

Brook additionally moved up weight divisions when he misplaced to Kazakhstan’s ferocious puncher Gennady Golovkin, and eight months later was defeated by pound-for-pound American star Errol Spence Jr.

If Brook does proceed, he will not be wanting choices, and main the pack may very well be a blockbuster bout between Brook and Chris Eubank Jr, one which is probably going to seize the creativeness of each boxing aficionados and informal boxing followers.

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