Kell Brook channelled years of frustration into one of the most polished performances of his boxing career as he stopped bitter rival Amir Khan inside six rounds on Saturday.
Brook had courted a showdown against an opponent he has come to despise for several years only to be constantly rebuffed, but after being given an opportunity here he grasped it with both hands in this 149-pound catchweight bout at Manchester’s AO Arena.
Brook shrugged off being vociferously jeered to the ring by a crowd largely in support of Bolton-born and raised Khan and repeatedly left his foe on rubbery legs with countless punishing shots to the head.
Khan refused to buckle and stayed upright throughout but he absorbed some vicious blows and his face was heavily marked when referee Victor Loughlin stepped in to wave off the fight 51 seconds into the sixth round.
Khan, fighting at the venue where he first won a world title in 2009, only showed flashes of the form that saw him become a unified light-welterweight champion more than a decade ago as his fellow countryman claimed the bragging rights.
While Brook improved his record to 40 wins from 43 fights, the decorated Khan’s future in the sport is now up in the air after the sixth defeat of his professional career in what was his first outing since July 2019.
Kell Brook ‘happy’ to close Amir Khan chapter
‘This fight has been a long time coming for me and I’m so happy I won’t get pestered by people saying “when are you going to fight Amir Khan?” I’ve always known that was going to happen,’ said a delighted Brook afterwards.
‘I’m just frustrated that this fight didn’t happen sooner but it’s better late than never.
‘I’ll be remembered for this fight forever. No disrespect to Amir but it felt so easy in there, it was just a matter of time.
‘I’m just happy that the chapter is closed now on Amir Khan.’
