AMIR KHAN claims that he has finally thrown Kellbrook a bone. The Sheffield ace insists that he has blacked Bolton into a corner.
It will be a huge mystery as to why Khan, 34, has agreed to meet his 35-year old welterweight opponent 17 years after their rivalry began.
Amir Khan and Kellbrook will finally come to an agreement in the ring, on February 20, 2022
Both of them were on red hot streaks in 2011-2012, so the bout would have been very red-hot.
After many highs, both men had to return to 2015 to win their last meaningful victory.
After months of trash talking, we will finally witness the two millionaires in their middle age punch each other on February 19, 2022.
Brook claims that the deal for BOXXER promotion of Sky Sports Box Office pay per view was completed in July. However, Team Khan continued to move the goalposts by grabbing larger shares or changing the catchweight limit.
The bout will take place at 149 pounds, which is 2lbs less than the 147 welterweight limit at which they both previously campaigned.
Khan's world titles were won at 140 light-welter, but he is a fighter of 10st 7lbs since 2014.
Brook, the 2004 Athens Olympic Silver winner, knows Brook is a hellhound to reduce his 5ft 9in frame to its welter limit.
Brook had fought over 10st 7lbs for the first four years before he won the British welterweight title.
Brook will be fined PS100,000. For every 1 lb he exceeds the catchweight, Khan won't have any world titles belts or sanction bodies to enforce punishments.
Ruthless King Khan confirmed that the fight was at 149lbs, as Kell Brook couldn't make 147lbs.
"If I had refused to lift the weight limit, I would have been held responsible again. I have therefore allowed him that, but he will be subject to severe financial penalties if he does not lose weight.
Brook claims he will starve and dehydrate himself for one last chance at a spot in the Olympic team.
Khan claims that Brook was so far ahead of him in schoolboy and novice years, that he would spar with one hand to give the Ingle-gym star a chance. Brook disagrees.
Brook won't argue that Khan is the A-side and is taking the largest share of ticket sales and PPV sales.
Khan's name and face are first displayed on the poster. A logo for Khan's promotional company is also included.
Brook is the B side, but insists that he couldn't put a price tag on retiring without making sure his nemesis feels comfortable.
He stated that he had gotten a fair amount, but that this fight was over five months ago. He just kept coming back with little issues and problems to move the goalposts. He always wanted another pound or pound in weight.
"Everyone knows that I'm going to gain weight, but I'm determined because I couldn’t have quit the sport without fighting him."
There are varying opinions on whether this is the end of two great careers or a grubby cash-out that could seriously harm either veteran.
Eddie Hearn was a skilled coach for Brook until he decided to fight Terence Crawford in 2020. Brook failed to make it a few times, but not because he didn't want to.
Khan was lured back by the Matchroom boss after his four fight run in America, for two headline slots on Sky Sports shows. Khan won in an exciting fashion.
They should have set up the Brook fight for 2019, but Khan ran back to the USA to lose to Crawford, a stunning open goal.
BOXXER, the new promotional brand for Sky after Hearn moved his stable to streaming app DAZN, has now raided their bank accounts to make it.
SunSport is aware that Matchroom were disappointed they weren't offered the money to make the fight when Sky was with them.
BOXXER had to fight Sky after Chris Eubank Jr. vs Liam Williams was unable to take place due to injury. This followed similar delays or collapsed fights for Josh Taylor, Savannah Marshall, and Lewis Ritson.
The press conference was a surprising success. It was a genuine contfontration and did not spiral into a fracas. The trash-talk was spiteful but not distasteful.
Brook and Khan agreed on one thing: they believe their fight, outside of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua, is the most important all-British bout in the ether.
It remains to be seen, but they have shown that the next generation can gain and keep a fanbase.
Both men have been known to engage in fierce fights and both have maintained a regular dialogue with the media.
While there are many younger, more promising names behind them, Brook and Khan will keep them out of the limelight for a few months longer.
We hope February 19 will arrive quickly and without any injuries or delays.
Both men are deserving of a wonderful send-off, as well as the fans who have endured some of the filler fightings that have padded their records leading to this retirement showdown.
