AMIR KHAN, Kell Brook and their long-running rivalry were finally over when they hugged after a thrilling fight Saturday night.
Brook displayed a remarkable display of bully skills to Khan before he was stopped in the sixth round.
Brook defeated Khan in the sixth round
of their grudge match.
Khan, 35, accepted the loss graciously, as they hugged in the ring, and then again at the post-fight press conference.
Brook was then honoured by the Bolton-based fighter.
He stated that there were no excuses for the winner and that he was boxed out.
"I didn’t expect that from him. Especially after the fights I have witnessed before.
Kell was a star performer today, and he won.
"Although we may have rivalries at the end of each day, we can still be friends as long as we say so after we punch them.
He put on a great show and did everything that he had to. He was the greatest man tonight. Although I had a fantastic, amazing training camp, I couldn't get started.
"I was missing quite some things. Kell was at his best, and we all owe him our deepest respect."
Brook, who for a decade has criticized Khan, also acknowledged that he now respects his British counterpart.
He said that he had always wanted to fight Amir after his victory. This is what I consider the icing on top of the cake after the grudge match.
"I can be at peace with myself and my job now.
"He took some amazing shots in there. Respect is all I ever wanted.
Get a PS10 Bonus with 100 Games to Play and No Deposit Required"He has had a great career. It's not something you want to do with him in the latter stages of his career. He will have to do the same as me and decide if he wants it to continue.
"We have been in one of our best fights - it's almost like the George Groves and Carl Froch fights.
"It's up there in the best British fights of our era."
