Returning to the ring after more than one and a half year, former unified light welterweight world champion Amir Khan suffered a thrashing defeat against Kell Brook, as the former IBF welterweight champion and former unified middleweight title contender dominated his fellow Briton to a 6th round TKO victory on 19th February at the Manchester Arena. While he shed applaud on Brook for his brilliant performance and admitted his own inadequacy, Khan felt that at this point in his career, it might be the time to contemplate the decision of retirement.
The love for the sport is not there anymore like it was before: Amir Khan
After 40 professional fights across a career spanning seventeen years, Amir Khan has clinched 34 victories, 21 by decision and reached his peak in 2010-11 when he became the unified WBA (Super) and IBF light welterweight world champion.
However, the swiftness and agility that “King” Khan is famous for was absent in the ring against Brook, as “The Special One” battered his opponent throughout the fifth as well as the sixth round, before the referee Victor Loughlin stopped the fight at 0:51 of the sixth round.
Following the loss, Khan lauded Brook for his performance, while admitting that it wasn’t his day and it may be the time to discuss with his family about his future in boxing as Khan feels he has reached the twilight of his career.
“Kell was on his A-game today. He boxed really well. A lot of respect goes out to him. I want to say a big thanks to all the fans that came out here today. When I heard my name with the cheering, I just want to say a big thank you,” Khan told Sky Sports Boxing, “I also want to apologize that it obviously didn’t go our way today. 40 fights, it’s a lot of fights, winning two world titles. I need to sit down with my family, but it is towards the end of my career here.”
“Obviously, the love for the sport is not there anymore like it was before. When I was in the ring, I used to have that excitement and that push. I just didn’t have it in me. I felt quite flat,” the 35-year-old went on, “I think that’s a sign for me that I should be calling it a day maybe, but let’s see. I’m going to go back and watch the video. Kell obviously came trained, and he looked really, really good today, and he was ready.”
“It’s very hard to beat a guy who wants to win. I had a great training camp as well, but he must have done that much better than me. So let’s see where we go from here,” Khan added. [H/T BoxingNews24.com]
Highlights:
- Former unified light welterweight world champion Amir Khan believes its time to contemplate his future in boxing following the loss to a dominating Kell Brook
- Khan suffered a 6th round TKO defeat against Brook on 19th February at the Manchester Arena
