By: Hans Themistode
Even in Amir Khan’s wildest dreams, he could picture his match against Kell Brook playing out the way it did.
After years of cursing, homophobia and every conceivable curse, the British stars are finally stepping into the ring to fight each other in an attempt to prove who is the better boxer.
A confident Khan walked through the Manchester Arena last night with the pound’s heaviest star Terence Crawford standing firmly in his corner. Khan got off to a good start. He danced and moved across the ring while landing several heavy jabs. However, his entire demeanor changed by the time Brook started to find him with his own big pictures.
Soon there was a step forward for Khan as he did his best to distance himself from Brook’s authority. With his legs wobbling with each stroke and with the former Olympic silver medalist running out of place to move, referee Victor Loughlin graciously shook his head and stepped in to save Khan from further punishment.
While all of them burst into smiles shortly after, embracing Brook in the center of the ring and officially taking their love rival to bed, on the inside, Khan was dubious.
“I’m so sad,” Khan told Sky Sports Boxing after his defeat. “I just couldn’t make it go, you know, a little bit lacking, already missing quite a bit.”
The loss to 35-year-old Khan puts him in a difficult position. At one point, he was one of the biggest stars in boxing. While his name remains one of the most notable in the sport, his overall game has faltered.
Admittedly, the hand speed is still good, the foot attack is still there, the punching power is still respectable. However, the desire to bite down his mouth and fight through the flames that boxing embodies does not.
As he looks back on his career, Khan proudly smiles. His waistline has been fitted with the world gold title multiple times and his neck still carries his 2004 Olympic silver medal.
But, despite all he’s accomplished, Khan still feels lethargic when discussing the sport of boxing. Considering everything he’s accomplished, he now realizes that Brook may have just pushed him to the finish line.
“Forty fights, a lot of fights. Win two world titles, fight ups and downs in the US and around the world. I need to sit down with my family. But I think it is about the end of my career. Apparently, that love of the sport is gone. I used to have that excitement and that impulse but I don’t have it in me. I feel pretty flat. I thought it could be a sign for me to know that maybe I should call it a day maybe but let’s see.”
