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.
Trainer Joe Gallagher predicts Khan vs Brook
Joe Gallagher: “Khan-Brook is a great fight. I’m excited, everyone is excited. I know a lot of people are saying it’s a cash grab but it’s still a good fight.
“It’s very much like Mayweather and Pacquiao was - past its prime, but people still tuned in to watch. I’m going to go for Amir Khan.
“He’s fought the better level of fighters but as Kell Brook said, it only takes that one chocolate brownie, baby.”
Conor Benn predicts Khan vs Brook
Conor Benn: “Khan always bring the action. Everyone knows he’s vulnerable and everyone loves a bit of vulnerability - that’s why I’ve always watched Amir Khan.
“Are Kell Brook’s finishing skills still there? Is his accuracy and timing still there? I don’t know.”
Eddie Hearn predicts Khan vs Brook
Eddie Hearn: “Probably the last rodeo for both of them. I wish them the best but my money is on Kell Brook for this one.
“He’s wanted the fight more over the years and looking at him in the gym he has trained harder.”
Rankin excited for Jonas vs Namus on Khan vs Brook undercard
One interested observer tonight in Natasha Jonas’ world title fight against Namus will be Hannah Rankin.
If Jonas overcomes Namus, they could unify together with Rankin’s WBA and IBO world titles at 154 pounds.
‘I’ve never trained this hard in my life,’ says Amir Khan ahead of Kell Brook grudge match
Amir Khan has said he has “never trained this hard in my life” as his grudge match with Kell Brook looms.
The British rivals will finally go head-to-head in the ring on Saturday, clashing in a 149lbs catchweight bout at a sold-out Manchester Arena.
Ahead of the fight, which has been more than a decade in the making, Khan and Brook took part in open workouts in Manchester, with a pro-Khan crowd filling out the Trafford Centre.
“It makes me feel amazing when you see so many fans from all over, that’s like a motivation on its own,” the 35-year-old Khan said after his workout.
“You’re not just doing it for yourself, these people have left their jobs [today] to see me train.
‘I’ve never trained this hard in my life,’ says Amir Khan ahead of Kell Brook fight
The British rivals will finally go head-to-head in the ring on Saturday
Amir Khan and Kell Brook are more fragile but their feud is as fiery as ever
On Saturday night in Manchester, one of the finest British fights in the modern game finally takes place when Amir Khan and Kell Brook meet in a clash of the decorated veterans.
The two fighters, both 35 now, have shared the British boxing limelight, had their lasting moments of outrageous glory and their equally shocking days in despair during the last 15 years. Their fight this Saturday has been discussed, dismissed and wanted for longer than any other fight in British boxing history.
The two ex-world champions meet in a fight for pride and bragging rights in the final moments of two long, long careers; the pair have been the main event, the television attraction over 50 times, fought in a combined total of 16 world title fights and a total of 44 fights for some type of title. They have been at the very core of British boxing: respected, rich and willing to take risks.
Amir Khan and Kell Brook are more fragile but their feud is as fiery as ever
After years of arguing and animosity, two of British boxing’s great old warriors will finally meet in the ring this weekend for a long overdue grudge match
Amir Khan visits arena this morning to check on ring
Amir Khan: “I came here early, nobody here, I'm happy with the canvas, the ropes and everything.
“This is where I won my world title. I can't wait to get in there tonight and create history by beating Kell Brook.”
‘I’m worried about Kell’s health:’ Amir Khan and Kell Brook exchange insults at fiery press conference
Anticipation for Amir Khan and Kell Brook’s grudge match this Saturday will have sharply increased following their fiery press conference on Thursday, with host Adam Smith forced to calm down the rivals as they traded spiteful insults.
Khan and Brook will go head-to-head at Manchester Arena this weekend in a main-event catchweight bout at 149lbs, following years of calls from boxing fans for the British pair to meet in the ring.
The former champions exchanged heated words in their pre-fight press conference, with Khan saying: “I’m worried about a few things. I’m worried about Kell’s health after the beating I’m gonna be giving him.
Amir Khan and Kell Brook exchange insults at fiery press conference
Host Adam Smith was forced to calm down the rivals as they went back and forth before their grudge match
Khan vs Brook: Fighters face off at intense weigh-in
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