No sooner had Sheffield’s Kell Brook won boxing’s IBF welterweight world title from America’s hard-hitting Shawn Porter earlier this month, thoughts were already turning to a prospective all-British grudge match with long-time verbal jousting partner, one Amir Khan. A mouth-watering prospect for UK fights fans that would pit Brook’s undoubted skill against Khan’s box office combination of dazzling hand-speed, but questionable punch-resistance. Their long-running feud and taunts about who is the better boxer simply adding ice to the proverbial.
But before the lavishly gifted Brook potentially risks his hard-earned world title – a belt arguably well overdue at the age of 28 after suffering with injuries, fitness and motivation – against the quicksilver Khan, I hope he realises his full potential lies beyond beating Bolton’s finest.
Khan’s Olympic silver medal, media profile and early capture of world titles means he’s a British household name and notable scalp, but the realisation of Khan’s frailties with each defeat and the gradual ascent of Brook, means the latter has finally stepped out of the former’s shadow and can really now establish himself in what is undoubtedly boxing’s most talented and lucrative division. The other welterweight world champions are modern greats Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio, whilst a supporting cast of Adrien Boner, Marcus Maidana, Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander – all multi-weight world champions in their own right – mean there are no shortage of meaningful and money-spinning big fights for Brook to choose from.
Unless Khan shocks the world and manages to beat (and even fight) Floyd Mayweather, a victory over him would be relegated to a mere domestic skirmish, when Brook should be setting his sights on conquering the world. Something he has the opportunity, and quite possibly the ability, to do. Froch v Groves demonstrated all-British ‘super’ fights get bums on seats and those bouts undoubtedly moistened Brook’s appetite for a showdown with Khan that is seemingly inevitable. I just hope cross-Pennine bragging rights aren’t the limit of Brook’s ambition.
iheartsport 