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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Amir Khan and Kell Brook both told to retire after settling bitter rivalry

British boxing icons Amir Khan and Kell Brook have both been told to retire by legendary fighter Andre Ward after settling their long-running feud on Saturday night.

Brook recorded a sixth-round TKO victory against his bitter rival in Manchester and it's unclear whether both fighters will continue their glittering careers.

Khan is a two-time light-welterweight champion but has now suffered six brutal defeats and won just one fight in the last three-and-a-half years.

Brook, meanwhile, is a former IBF welterweight champion but suffered a gruelling defeat to reigning WBO welterweight champ Terence Crawford in November 2020.

Both fighters are aged 35, have wracked up 83 professional fights between them and are unlikely to get another world title shot before their inevitable retirements.

Should both Amir Khan and Kell Brook retire from professional boxing? Let us know in the comments below!

Kell Brook convincingly won his grudge match with Amir Khan (Action Images via Reuters)

And Ward - who won all 32 of his professional fights to unify the super-middleweight and light-heavyweight divisions - believes both Brits should hang up their gloves.

"The winner and the loser tonight should retire... it's time for Amir Khan to go," said Ward during US commentary on Saturday evening.

Former unified super-middleweight champion Carl Froch - who lost to Ward in December 2011 - also believes both Khan and Brook should call it a day.

"I thought it was a really good performance by both fighters," Froch told Boxing Social. "Great for the crowd, great to watch and great for television."

Froch went on to say: "I don’t like the fact that he [Brook] was called out by Chris Eubank Jr. I don’t think that’s a wise move for him. This should be his final fight, his swan song."

On Khan, Froch added: "Amir Khan has nothing to be ashamed of, to be fair.... Khan took licks tonight, he took a lot of punishment.

"His legs were gone, which means he was hurt. There’s something going on with your central nervous system when your legs are gone.

"I’m glad he was able to finish the fight on his feet. The referee saved him from further punishment. He’s had a fantastic career, Amir Khan. He’s fought the best of the best."

Both Khan and Brook have been told to hang up their gloves (Action Images via Reuters)

When asked if he's considering retirement, Khan said: "I've had 40 fights, winning two world titles, fighting in America and around the world.

“I need to sit down with my family. But it is more towards the end of my career. The love for the sport isn't there anymore. In the ring, I didn't have excitement and that push.

"That's maybe a sign that I should call it a day but let's see."

When asked the same question, Brook said: "I've always wanted to have the fight with Amir. I think this grudge match and this is the icing on the cake for me.

"I can live at peace with myself, with my career now. Do I want to carry on? I feel like a 23-year-old today. I'm gonna sit down with my family and see if I want to carry on."

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