An old-time grudge match: Amir Khan versus Kell Brook

Amir Kham and Kell Brook fight this Saturday at Manchester Arena in England.

Things are personal between the old rivals.

“I’m just going to go in there and hurt Kell," Khan told Sky Sports last week. “That’s what I want to do. I don’t want to go in there and just box him, I want to go in there to hurt him and to put him away. This is the time now where I finish his career off, so he never needs to look at boxing again. This is going to be a nice payday for you, Kell Brook, so you get this payday and walk away. Leave the sport happy.”

Brook fired back.

”It’s a long time coming for me, you’ll see,” said Brook. “He gets destroyed; he gets beat like I’ve been telling you for years. “He’s never wanted this fight, it’s me that wanted this fight for the fans. “He’s always had it his way, he’s not having it his own way.”

Inactivity has been an issue for both fighters. Khan was last seen in the ring 31 months ago the much smaller and faded Billy Dibb. Khan stopped Dibb in four rounds.

Brook’s last go was against one of the best fighters in the world, WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford in 2020. Brook started well, using his speed and jab to outbox Crawford. The champ, though, is one patient guy. He sizes opponents up and then dissects them. A big right hand turned the fight in Crawford’s favor. Crawford pounced and punched until referee Tony Weeks called the fight off. Brook was stunned in more than ways by the way he lost. His career record stands at 39-3, 27 KOs. It took Brook 33 fights to get a crack at welterweight champion, Shawn Porter, in 2014. Brook won the belt by majority decision.

Khan had rebounded from being shockingly knocked out by Briedis Prescott to capture the WBA junior welterweight championship. He defended his strap five times before being knocked into tomorrow land by Danny Garcia in 2012.

Brook and Khan got overly ambitious a few years ago and moved up a weight division. And lost. Khan was knocked out by middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. Brook met Gennady Golovkin, and like Khan, did pretty well for a few rounds until Golovkin damaged his eye socket. Consistent punishment made it worse. The bout was stopped after round five. Khan’s record stands at 34-5, 21 KOs.

Khan stayed away from the ring for two years following his brutal loss to Alvarez and celebrated his celebrity.

Brook’s name kept popping up. The fighters insulted each other. Khan returned against fringe contenders, Phil Lo Greco, and Samuel Vargas. Victorious, he met that man Crawford, at Madison Square Garden four years ago. Khan was floored in the opening round and consistently outworked. An accidental low-blow gave him some time in round six. Not enough to continue. The fight was stopped.

Heavy criticism followed.

Brook returned to welterweight to fight champion Errol Spence Jr. in London. Spence entered the fight undefeated. He exited the same way, and the new champion, stopping Brook in 11 exciting rounds.

Both fighters are 35 and past their primes.

I see an interesting and at times exciting fight. They might be past it, but pride is a great motivator. Khan is the faster fighter, but Brook is stronger. A factor in the outcome could come down to who’s fresher. If Brook wins, it will likely be by knockout. Khan has been stopped four times in his 39-fight career.

I give the edge to Brook but won’t be surprised if Khan wins