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: Frazer Clarke tips Kell Brook to win
Frazer Clarke: "I've gone with Kell Brook the whole time, I think his timing, he's dedicated himself to this camp.
“I think they'll both slow down. This atmosphere, I don't think either of them have been to a place like this.”
Khan vs Brook
Clarke: “It was better than I ever imagined. When I got to the top of the ramp.
“Unbelievable atmosphere, a debut I’ll never forget.
“I could see people from my family and town.
“I see improvements, but I enjoyed it.”
Khan vs Brook
There is a delay! Backstage, Brook has a complaint about the gloves.
More to follow.
Khan vs Brook undercard: Natasha Jonas celebrates world title
Tyson Fury congratulates Natasha Jonas on world title win
Khan vs Brook: Celebrities come out for fight in Manchester
Khan vs Brook undercard: Natasha Jonas reacts to becoming world champion
Jonas: “I can’t put it in words, it means everything. They don’t know the sacrifices.
“I’ve been through ups and downs. Joe has stood by my side.
“He’s the first one everybody blames when things go wrong.
“I worked on myself. Me and Joe going back and forth. It makes it all worth it.
“I’ve got the best supportive family and friends in the world. My girl is at home, Mummy did it, she’s bringing the belt home.
“I trained for 12 rounds or more. I was prepared for a hard battle. I have to give her props, taking it on short notice.
“If I do what I do in sparring, I knew I’d win. You never want to do overtime. I didn’t think she’d recovered. Joe said, ‘go at it’. Luckily I did and I got the stoppage.
Khan vs Brook undercard: Natasha Jonas rocks Chris Namus
Namus is down again! The towel was coming in, Howard Foster calls it off, it’s over!
Jonas is a world champion on the third attempt, she picks up the vacant WBO world title.
Khan vs Brook undercard: Natasha Jonas rocks Chris Namus
Natasha Jonas rocks Chris Namus in the first and drops her hard.
Timed a lovely left and then a thudding right, Namus is down hard.
The bell saves her!
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