So, for a while at least, Brook should savour his victory over Khan because this was one of the most glorious nights of his boxing life. The son of Nigel Benn is 10 years younger than Brook and he would bring the violent danger to the ring that is now beyond Khan. Of course, Brook will almost certainly box on and said recently that he would like to fight Conor Benn next. Before they parted they wrapped their arms around each other’s shoulders and posed for one last photograph. Khan insisted that he was still glad to have fought in the most electric atmosphere either he or Brook had ever experienced.īrook also praised Khan and showed similar respect in a heartening antidote to all the previous vehemence. Speaking in a low voice, but with wit and insight, he admitted that he will talk to his family about his future. It took heart and class for him to congratulate Brook. Khan showed as much courage outside the ring when, long past midnight, he joined Brook for a shared press conference. It would help if their grudge could be buried now for both men should look to a life beyond the boxing. He will have to learn how to overcome the haunting memories of this painful defeat. I’ve done everything I’ve needed to because I know I can’t lose this fight.”īoxing is a harsh and unforgiving business and so Khan’s bold words were swept aside by the concussive fists of his fierce rival. Khan is also 35 and, before he stepped into the ring against Brook, he had said: “If either of us lose, it’s something that will haunt us for a very long time. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/Reuters Kell Brook shows his delight after the fight. It would be an uplifting end to the Sheffield fighter’s near 17 years in the professional ring if he could walk away with his health intact at the age of 35. Brook has suffered three crushing defeats over the years and this immensely satisfying win cannot obscure the damage he suffered against far superior fighters in Gennady Golovkin, Errol Spence and Terence Crawford – who stopped him in his previous fight. The only danger for Brook is that he will believe overwhelming a faded Khan is a sign that he should campaign again at a far higher level against much younger and far more threatening men. His pleasure in almost certainly ending the career of the man who had been his nemesis for so long will be deep and sustained for Brook has long harboured an intense dislike of Khan. “I’ve been living in his head for such a long time.” He then fuelled the acrimony by saying: “I’m worried about Kell’s health after the beating I’m giving him.”īrook brutally exposed the hubris of Khan. “Kell’s always been very obsessed with my career, like a fanboy,” Khan said this week. ![]() Their grudge match had always been bitterly personal to Brook who believed Khan had continually ignored or disrespected him. Khan tried to backpedal away but he could not stem the dark surge of trouble that finally engulfed him. But Brook went downstairs to the body in the fourth round before, with calm deliberation, he began to really open up in the fifth. ![]() Khan has always been an immensely brave fighter, however, and he fought back and tagged Brook occasionally with his fast hands. It seemed as if Brook hurt Khan every time he landed with real intent. They had to be separated at the bell but Brook had the look of a man who knew that he was about to dominate the rival he had despised for over a decade. Despite the shake of his head, it was clear that Khan had been hurt. Alexander, who should not be underestimated, needs to be dealt with first.Brook nailed him with a stiff left hand which made Khan stagger backwards. Khan makes no bones about wanting his cake. With the trainer Virgil Hunter now calling the shots, a fight against Floyd Mayweather lurching into view and a young family to support, Khan says he has changed.Ī career-defining, and bank balance-boosting, showdown with Mayweather is the dream. Now though, as the boy from Bolton sat in a plush Las Vegas hotel dissecting his preparation and mental state before a critical fight with the American Devon Alexander here on Saturday, it was clear there has been a lot of growing up since those naive, perhaps more carefree days. Three years ago Khan was sucked into all that and the result was a defeat, albeit a controversial one, by Lamont Peterson which meant his WBF and IBF titles were ripped from his grasp. The two-times world champion was certainly delighted by a very comfortable-looking pair of slippers his father, Shah, had given him. ![]() David will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s a bit of background on the fight:Īmir Khan turned 28 on Monday yet there were no Sin City celebrations.
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