Amir Khan vs Kell Brook – Who wins and why?
'King Khan' vs 'Special K' is FINALLY confirmed!
Welterweights Amir Khan (34-5, 21KOs) and Kell Brook (39-3, 27KOs) have announced their huge British battle at AO Arena in Manchester on February 19, live on Sky Sports Box Office, as the bitter rivals finally settle their long-running dispute.
The decade-long rivalry between Amir Khan and Kell Brook will finally come to an explosive conclusion in the New Year, but who wins the 12-contest set at 149-pounds and why? BBN asked their panel of experts for their view:
Peter Fury
Boxing Trainer
“Because of the lifestyles, I think Amir Khan has worn better. So I think Kell has just had too many fights, is he gonna be more than worse for wear, and I see Khan going in as the fresher man, but Brook's a good fighter and it depends how much he can go to the well, so on the basis of that I'll have to edge towards Amir Khan, but it just depends how much he has got left, Kell Brook, because I think Amir Khan has got plenty left.”
Ricky Hatton
Former two-weight world champion
“I think it's a good fight. Amir might have a little too much speed for Kell, but if Kell hits him… One thing they say about when you get older, you never lose the punch, do you? But your resistance can waver as you get a little bit older with miles on the clock and stuff like that.
“But Kell can hit, and if he lands against Amir, there's a good chance that he can win. But watching the little bits of clips of them both training, it's a shame that they're both my mates, so I'm not making a prediction.”
Conor Benn
WBA Continental welterweight champion
“It really is a 50/50 fight and it’s been building for as long as I can remember. I keep swaying between who I think’s gonna win.
“I started off thinking Kell Brook was gonna win, and now I’m leaning more towards Amir Khan by late stoppage.
“It really is a 50/50 fight.”
Peter Sims
Boxing Trainer
“It's a strange fight for both at this stage in their careers and it probably should have taken place 5-6 years ago or at least pre pandemic. In my opinion, it’s who’s got what left.
“Brook has power and Khan has speed, I’m probably going towards Brook as timing and speed goes with age but from historical fights we know power remains.
“Prediction – Brook win by KO mid to late rounds once the pace slows.”
Linus Udofia
Former English middleweight champion
“Khan by late stoppage.”
Francis Warren
Boxing Promoter
“I'll watch it, it would have been lovely to have seen it five-six years ago.
“Instincts says Amir; I think his speed, if he's still got some handspeed, which he will do, and if he can go in and out, I think for three or four rounds if Amir can get on top of Kell. He's a smooth operator, Kell Brook, so it's an intruiging fight, but I pick Amir to win, I think he might stop him. I think an accumulation of speed and power, Amir might do a job on Kell.”
Steve Wood
Boxing Promoter
“Going with Khan, as I feel his speed will win him this. Kell has a puncher's chance but siding with age / inactivity / weight management all slowing him down and him struggling to land it.”
Kofi Donker
Unbeaten Lightweight
“Finally it’s on! I think now with the fighters not as sharp as they once were, we will get a more entertaining fight than a few years ago.
“I see Khan's hand speed and combination punching having him ahead going into the mid way point then somewhere after that Brook getting to him and stopping him inside the scheduled 12.”
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
“From the first time this fight was mentioned, years and years ago, I always leaned towards Khan and still do. There would have been times when I'd have flitted back and forth, but at this very point in time, I'm picking Khan over Brook.
“At their age and recent inactivity, I think it'll come down to fitness, freshness and toughness. Khan hasn't fought for over two and a half years and that was against a faded Billy Dib, which was more like an exhibition match. The Australian was fighting well above his natural weight.
“Kell Brook fought the world's number one pound for pound fighter only a year ago, so was operating at the highest level in his last fight, and he started brightly. He was quick and crisp with his jabs and one-twos to start with, but it only took three rounds for 'Bud' to start landing his hooks and then stopped him clinically in round four.
“He had three wins against quite decent opposition prior to that third career defeat, whereas Amir's last three victories were not very credible.
“I think mileage will play a part in this match. Brook has had both eye sockets broken in the Golovkin and Spence Jr. fights in 2016 and 2017, respectively. In his last fight, he got hurt with a single shot and I think he's had too many hard fights at this stage of his career. Khan has been knocked out badly as well but didn't seem to be as damaging or long-lasting as the stoppages Kell has endured.
“Each one fights with their heart on their sleeves, so although I think it could start a bit tentatively, I do feel like the fight will catch fire very early, especially with the sold-out crowd and all the emotions, and they will trade off desperate to own the bragging rights over the other. I think Khan will beat Kell to the punch, if he wants to, but Brook is such a great counter-puncher that I can see a quick one-two taking Amir off his feet at any given time.
“I think Khan should win, but Brook always has that puncher's chance. I'd be surprised if it goes the distance, it surely must end early.”
Anish Parekh
BBN Writer
“I feel like I would have been less interested in this two years ago than I am today. That would appear an odd thing to say but in 2019, both men were past their best but my feeling is that it would have been sold as a clash between two world class British welterweights.
“Such a claim isn't plausible even to the least knowledgeable fan, so what we are getting in February is a good old fashioned domestic grudge match that is over 10 years in the making.
“At 35 years old, they are a few years past their athletic peak but there is just enough youth, quality, and bad blood for this one to be dramatic.
“They both have frailties, so I think it's a matter of who breaks down first? Brook's eye or Khan's jaw?
“I'm not too sure, which is why I think it's a compelling matchup, but if pushed, I would say Khan starts fast but Brook's power bails him out for a late round stoppage.”
Ben Day
Former Southern Area champion
“At last it’s on! Still an exciting fight for the fans, better that Tommy Fury and Jake Paul!
“I’m leaning towards Khan, for his movement, speed, and range of distance will be key.
“I agree with the weight clause , weight classes are there for a reason or what’s the point in weight classes.
“Excited for this one!”
Neville Burdock
Head of Trading at Sporting Index
“Amir Khan and Kell Brook hold one of the fiercest grudges in boxing, so neither of them will be holding back in the ring on Saturday, and that might just favour the more powerful puncher in Brook.
“We predict that the fight is unlikely to go the distance, with The Special One fancied to floor his rival in the eighth round of the bout, and based on similar match ups and previous fights involving the two, we predict the fight will last 26 minutes.”
Results:
Khan (PTS): 27%
Khan (KO): 36%
Brook (PTS): 0%
Brook (KO): 36%
Khan-Brook
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