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It will be an all British battle between past-their-prime 35-year-old former world champions, with the victor, loser — or both — potentially retiring after the bout when Amir Khan and Kell Brook finally meet on Feb. 19 at the Manchester Arena in England.
There is much fanfare in the fight that is years in the making — the event sold out in minutes when tickets went on sale in December.
Khan (34-5, 21 KOs) is currently in the United States training alongside former foe Terence Crawford in preparation of Brook (39-3, 27 KOs).
Khan took to social media in the middle of a workout on Instagram Live to offer an update on camp.
“My aim is to hurt and knockout Kell Brook. I’m training every day. I’ve never trained this hard in my life. The last time I trained like this was in the [2004 Athens] Olympics,” said Khan. “My speed is still there. I’m still exciting, still strong, and on the game. I hope he comes trained and ready because I want to give the fans a massive fight. I want to give them a good fight.
“I leave it to God which round I knock Kell Brook out. I am going to win the fight 100%. I’m not just doing this for the money and saying that I’m fighting him. I’m doing this to win. I’ve achieved a lot and made a lot in the sport, but this is one fight that I want to put him to rest. This whole issue of me fighting Kell Brook. I’m just going to put it to rest.”
Khan will have to fend off nearly 31-months f ring rust upon his return. The last time he fought was July 2019 when he cruised to a fourth-round TKO against Billy Dib. In the fight before that in April 2019, he was obliterated by Crawford in six rounds.
Brook has not fought since suffering the same fate from Crawford, a fourth-round TKO in November 2020. The former welterweight world titlist’s biggest win came against Shawn Porter in 2014 when he won the IBF crown, and he’s fallen short against the likes of Errold Spence Jr. in 2017 and Gennadiy Golovkin in 2016.
“Look, Kell Brook can train as hard as he wants for this fight,” said Khan. “I honestly do not care. Look at the skill-set that I’ve got. Look at the speed, power, and movement. There are levels in this game. Kell Brook, every top-level guy has beaten him. Who has he beaten? Shawn Porter, that was a 50-50 fight. A lot of people thought Shawn Porter won that fight. It was not a convincing win.
“I’ve had many convincing wins, I’ve fought better people, and I’ve fought better opposition. So really, I don’t care which Kell Brook turns up on the night. I’m going to be more than ready for this gu. I’m not here making the numbers. I’m here to win. I want to put this guy to rest and send a statement out to the world as well. People ask what I’m doing after this fight. I’m done, man.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com