AMIR KHAN and Kell Brook might be happening five years past it’s peak but their silver hairs and brittle bones now make it an even more thrilling affair.
Since suffering shattered eye sockets on both sides of his nose, Brook has understandably looked afraid to take a dig on his titanium-reinforced face.
If Khan can throw one of his trademark rapid combinations and catch his fellow 35-year-old veteran off guard, then panic mode could kick in and leave Brook getting stopped on his feet in the first half.
But the Sheffield ace insists his precision timing always beats Bolton rocket Khan’s blistering speed.
And while speed and reflexes are the first traits to abandon a fighter, Brook’s technique, timing and power will be with him for the last bell, making a late win KO win appeal more.
Khan has a horrible tag of being ‘chinny’ thanks to violent stoppage losses to Breidis Prescott, Canelo and Danny Garcia and one booming right hand from Brook could spell curtains for the reality TV star’s fight career.
With both men in the winter of their careers and so much spite and animosity punctuating the 20-year build-up, it would take an unlikely stinker of a contest for this to go the 12-round distance, so bet accordingly.
There is a strong chance both men take a visit to deck before one is counted out for the last time.
It’s almost a coin flip as to who will take the most punishment and be left standing at the very end of two twisted, entwined and brilliant British boxing careers.
But Khan’s decision to take his training camp to America and to hire a whole new training team – compared to Brook’s cheap and cheerful reunion with Dominic Ingle – edge us toward the Athens 2004 silver star becoming this golden oldie.
