Amir Khan accused Kell Brook of racism over ‘poppadom’ claim in a feisty press conference in Manchester ahead of their ‘Judgement Day’ clash this weekend at the city’s arena
s, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Amir Khan and Kell Brook were involved in a race row as tensions boiled over at their final press conference on Thursday.
Bolton star Khan, 35, accused bitter rival Brook of an anti-Asian slur when he mocked him for having a ‘poppadom chin’ in an old video interview. Sheffield fighter Brook, 35, denied the claim ahead of their clash at Manchester Arena on Saturday.
Khan said: “I don’t usually talk about racism issues because sometimes I think it can just make things worse. “But when someone says something that it does upset you and it put me on a proper downer.
“I was really surprised when I saw that video, it was so sad, because I would never have thought that of Kell.
“He is not only having a dig at me but my religion and race, racism is not nice and he knows exactly what he means and he needs to get a beating for that.
“People need to see the real side of him.
“I am sure he has fans in the Pakistani, Indian and Asian community so he should not be coming out with comments like that.”
Brook was furious with the claim and hit back by claiming he was only referring to Khan’s weak chin from his previous knockout defeats.
The Sheffield man said: “I am absolutely not a racist character.
“Khan is just trying to get everyone on his side and against me.
“Look where I am from, I am not racist at all, he is trying to throw me under the bus and get people to turn on me.
“I just meant his chin is as delicate as a poppadom and easy to break, that’s the only angle I meant.
“There was no racial intent at all.
“I have a lot of Pakistani, Asian and Indian fans but also friends and training partners in the gym who I am with all the time, every day. It’s a pathetic thing for him to do.”
Brook also mocked Khan for ‘w***ing to porn sites’ as the pair bickered at the press conference.
The pair will finally settle their rivalry this weekend when they meet in the ring for their long-awaited grunge match.
But no matter what the outcome is, Khan insists they won’t make friends after the fight.
He said: “Not after the racial comment.
“He has gone from hating me and being jealous to racism, it is too far, it is personal and too deep.
“I cannot be friends with a guy like that.”
