Amir Khan will have too much for Kell Brook in all-British grudge match, says former opponent Dmitry Salita | Boxing News
Amir Khan will have too much for Kell Brook when the pair meet in their long-awaited grudge match on Saturday, says Khan’s former opponent Dmitry Salita.
Salita, the promoter for Claressa Shields, has less than fond memories of facing Khan having been stopped by the Brit after just 76 seconds in December 2009.
Resolution awaits for a rivalry that has bubbled verbally for over a decade without ever coming to blows inside the ring, with Khan and Brook both well aware what defeat could mean for the future of their respective careers.
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A look back at all the best bits from the build-up to Saturday’s grudge match between Amir Khan and Kell Brook live on Sky Sports Box Office.
“Great fight,” said Salita. “I do think Amir Khan has more left, I think his speed is phenomenal as I’ve experienced and I think when the fight gets tough and the pace gets going at a higher level I don’t think Brook will be able to keep up with the pace. I think his body isn’t able to take that kind of punishment that world-class fights entail.
“I think Amir has more left at this point, that’s my opinion.
“I do think it’s going to be a great fight and my hats off to the folks that made it happen, I know it took a lot of work because it’s been years in the making – I remember back from early 2000s – so it’s great as a boxing fan, I’m very happy to see it happen.”
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Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater sits down for a Valentine’s Day chat with Amir Khan’s wife Faryal Makhdoom, who reveals she was instrumental in making the fight with Kell Brook.
Brook recently revealed there was a rematch clause in the agreement for the fight, to which Khan replied by suggesting the Sheffield fighter would not want a reunion given the “beating that Kell’s going to take”.
A no-love-lost build-up has also seen Brook describe Khan as “negative” for noting niggling injuries during camp and claim that his opponent “messed about” in getting the contracts over the line, while Khan has insisted he is the “better skilled fighter” and that he cannot see how Brook could beat him.
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With Amir Khan and Kell Brook set to settle their long-running feud this weekend, check out some of British boxing’s best rivalries from the past.
Former unified light welterweight world champion Khan, who has been training in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado Springs, last fought in July 2019 when he recorded a fourth-round stoppage of Billy Dib in Saudi Arabia. Brook, meanwhile, enters after suffering a fourth-round stoppage defeat to Terence Crawford in November 2020.
“I do have to give Amir Khan the tap as the favourite,” added Salita. “But upsets happen in boxing and this is a great fight, great fighters are always able to get themselves together for one more victory and great run and maybe Kell Brook is going to be able to put it together for this one.
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Amir Khan believes that Kell Brook’s confidence is ‘brittle’ ahead of their showdown this weekend.
“I wish both guys success and health on this great fight.”
Watch Khan vs Brook on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, from 6pm. Book it via your Sky remote or book it online here. Non-Sky TV subscribers can book and watch it here.
