Boxing Fight: When Kell Brook and Amir Khan finally go into the ring for their ten-year-in-the-making clash on February 19, he knows he can’t allow his emotions to get the best of him.
When the bell rings, all the trash talk and bad blood will fade away as the two fierce rivals face off in one of British boxing’s most eagerly anticipated grudge clashes, which might be a career-defining event for both.
Although it is far from ‘just another fight,’ it is possible that it will be treated as such once the action begins inside Manchester Arena.
“I watched the fight between (Liam) Williams and (Chris) Eubank Jr [Eubank Jr won a unanimous decision over Williams in Cardiff] and drew something from it,” Brook told Sky Sports. “It’s a little bit similar to mine because I know they don’t like each other.”
“Williams stormed into the room, enraged. I can’t carry that wrath and passion into the room – as difficult as it will be, I have to be professional and keep emotions at bay when I go in and be professional.
“There will be a lot of emotion involved; it’s been a long time coming, but I have to remain professional. I’ve got to get out there and carry out our plans.
And, in Brook’s opinion, his preparation will pay off handsomely on fight night.
“If he manages to go through it, it’ll be a one-sided fight, with me winning in 12 rounds.”
Both men appear to be convinced of triumph, unwilling to consider the consequences of a setback that could terminate their careers.
“Ask any world champion, any fighter – [losing] doesn’t enter their minds, and that’s why they’re so successful,” Brook continued.
“It’s all in your head, and I’m going in there 100% confident that I’m going to defeat him. There’s no doubt in my mind. I know what’s in me, how badly I want it, and that it’s written for me to go out there and win big.”
The Special One claims that his long-standing rivalry with Khan dates back to their early professional days, implying that the Olympic silver medalist did not treat him with the respect he deserved when he turned pro.
“I think him winning silver in Athens and then turning pro and had all the hoopla behind him, he was constantly topping bills,” Brook added.
“I don’t mind that, but I always think I’ve earned it the hard way, that I’ve had to battle around the globe, that I’ve had to fight to become mandatory for the world title, that I’ve earned it the hard way, and he’s never treated me with respect, that he’s always looked down his nose at me.
“At first, he asked, ‘Who is Kell Brook?’ as if he didn’t recognise me. He knew who I was and never treated me with the respect I deserved.
“I was assured by Frank Warren early on that we would meet, similar to (James) DeGale and (George) Groves, and it never happened; he never treated me with respect.
“And just his lies saying it’s me that doesn’t want the fight, I think it’s noted now that it is me that wanted the fight.
“Like the teacher says, better late than never! We’ve got the fight. It’s going to be a thriller.
“I don’t mind that, but I always think I’ve earned it the hard way, that I’ve had to battle around the globe, that I’ve had to fight to become mandatory for the world title, that I’ve earned it the hard way, and he’s never treated me with respect, that he’s always looked down his nose at me.
“At first, he asked, ‘Who is Kell Brook?’ as if he didn’t recognise me. He knew who I was and never treated me with the respect I deserved.
“I was assured by Frank Warren early on that we would meet, similar to (James) DeGale and (George) Groves, and it never happened; he never treated me with respect.”
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