The cliche is that the talking is over.
That might not be true.
It feels like Amir Khan and Kell Brook will never have much nice to say about each other right now. That can change. One thing certain to change after Saturday (ESPN+, 1 PM EST) is, barring a draw, one man will have UK bragging rights going forward.
Both have treated fans around the world to memorable outings. The 2004 Olympic silver medalist Khan, perhaps like no other elite talent since Terry Norris, came into every fight with a chin that kept butts on the edge of seats. It ultimately failed him a few times but Khan’s spirit kept him up more often including against Marcos Maidana and in a debatable decision loss to Lamont Peterson. It made for drama and excitement at his peak.
Brook brought his own share of drama. Sturdier but still sometimes vulnerable, he endured a war with Carson Jones too easily forgotten, outfoxed Shawn Porter, and battled to the end with Errol Spence. Both Brook and Khan made bold challenges at middleweight. They missed on their goals but one had to respect the attempts.
Now, finally, they cash in on the big check they’ve always had in reserve versus each other.
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
Kell Brook
Age: 35
Title: None
Previous Titles: IBF welterweight (2014-17, 3 Defenses)
Height: 5’9
Weight: 148 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Record: 39-3, 27 KO, 3 KOBY
Press Rankings: Unranked
Record in Major Title Fights: 4-3, 2 KO, 3 KOBY
Last Five Opponents: 135-5 (.964)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Rafal Jackiewicz TKO6; Shawn Porter MD12; Gennady Golovkin TKO by 5; Errol Spence KO by 11; Terence Crawford TKO by 4
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Lovemore N’Dou UD12; Vyacheslav Senchenko TKO4
Vs.
Amir Khan
Age: 35
Title: None
Previous Titles: WBA Super Lightweight (2009-12, 5 Defenses); IBF Jr. Welterweight (2011)
Height: 5’8 ½
Weight: 147 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Bolton, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Record: 34-5, 21 KO, 4 KOBY
Press Rankings: Unranked
Record in Major Title Fights: 6-4, 3 KO, 3 KOBY
Last Five Opponents: 182-12-3 (.931)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Andrey Kotelnik UD12; Paulie Malignaggi TKO12; Marcos Maidana UD12; Paul McCloskey TD6; Zab Judah KO5; Lamont Peterson L12; Danny Garcia TKO by 4; Devon Alexander UD12; Chris Algieri UD12; Saul Alvarez KO by 6; Terence Crawford TKO by 6
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Gairy St. Clair UD12; Marco Antonio Barrera TD5; Julio Diaz UD12; Luis Collazo UD12; Billy Dib TKO4
The Pick: Khan hasn’t been in the ring since 2019. Brook makes his first start since the loss to Crawford. Picking this one is a bit of an exercise in wild guessing. At their peak, Khan was quicker and moved more. Brook was always naturally bigger and before he started suffering eye injuries his durability was greater. That may not be the case in 2022. Khan is never going to have a granite chin, but in looking at their performances against Crawford, Khan seemed to absorb and defend better. Khan is still the quicker man and in this case the time out of the ring might be a benefit in a fight where Khan will need and certainly use his legs. The wild guess lands on Khan surviving some scares to score more and win a decision.
Rold Picks 2022: 6-1
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
