Khan vs Brook LIVE: Latest updates and reaction to fight tonight
The British rivals finally clash in a grudge match that is more than a decade in the making
There has been a lot of talking and more than a decade of waiting, but finally Amir Khan and Kell Brook will settle their rivalry in the ring this evening as the British pair go head-to-head in a main-event bout at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The former champions have known each other since their teenage days, even before Khan announced himself to the world as Team GB’s youngest ever boxing medalist at the 2004 Olympics. The Bolton-born fighter and rival Brook, representing Sheffield, both went on to win world titles, with Khan also competing in major fights in the United States. Despite the now-35-year-olds’ strong dislike for one another and a long-standing demand from fans for the fighters to settle their differences between the ropes, a bout has eluded the competitors and their followers until now.
Tonight, Khan and Brook face off in a catchweight bout at 149lbs, with the opponents having traded harsh words this week at a fiery press conference and heated weigh-in. “I’m worried about a few things. I’m worried about Kell’s health after the beating I’m gonna be giving him,” Khan said on Thursday. Brook retorted: “He’s definitely gonna sleep Saturday night when I smash him in. He’s going on his face or his back, one of the two.” On the undercard, heavyweight Frazer Clarke makes his professional debut following his medal-winning venture for Team GB at last summer’s Tokyo Olympics, and Natasha Jonas makes her third attempt at becoming a world champion.
Follow live updates and all the latest results from Khan vs Brook and the entire undercard, below.
Khan vs Brook: Round 4
Can Khan recover?
Brook picking his shots now. Khan smothering and grabbing.
Both fighters drained.
Lovely jab from Brook. Khan circling clockwise again, lunging in with a combination.
Less big shots landing in this round. Little feints from Khan as Brook loads up with his right. Lovely uppercut from Khan.
Khan appeared hurt right at the end of the round, Brook lunging at him on the ropes.
Khan vs Brook: Round 3
Into the third, the speed of the shots blurring in front of Brook’s face.
Khan’s legs have recovered, he looks strong, good movement too.
Brook seems tired. Khan circling clockwise, a good round. He’s reading the Sheffield man.
Gorgeous left from Khan, but suddenly Brook lands a bomb!
He’s all over the place, badly hurt and he hits the canvas, the bell saves him and it’s ruled a slip.
Khan vs Brook: Round 2
Khan’s hand speed still effective, but not landing.
Brook comfortable in the middle of the ring, Khan circling.
Khan on the ropes, but jumps out nicely, the crowd roars.
This pace is draining, surely they can’t continue, a clubbing right from Brook. Khan jumping across the ring to get out of trouble.
Khan vs Brook: Round 1
Both fighters meet each other in the middle of the ring.
Khan jabs to the body.
Fast hands from Khan, wraps a shot around the back of Brook’s head.
Brook leaps in as Khan jumps off the ropes, what an atmosphere!
Brook looking to get the jab going. The hand speed from Khan is a problem!
Khan is hurt! WOW! He’s all over the place, the bravado isn’t hiding it.
This is a tear up, insane, a war! Brook shook him up again, the legs have gone.
Carnage in round one, it’s a big Brook round, huge drama!
Khan vs Brook
Khan looks calm, Brook with new gloves on, how does that mess with his head?
No pads with the new gloves.
Khan vs Brook
The gloves are wrong! Drama!
Brook did not have the contracted gloves and is changing them in the ring right now.
A first maybe?
Khan vs Brook
Brook is booed as he makes his way to the ring.
It’s time.
Khan vs Brook
UPDATE: The issue surrounds Kell Brook’s gloves.
Amir Khan is warming up in his dressing room.
But there is arguments in Brook’s dressing room.
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