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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Josh Challies

Amir Khan vs Kell Brook predictions and tips with one 'big difference' highlighted

A fight a decade in the making comes centre stage on Saturday evening, as Amir Khan and Kell Brook collide in Manchester.

After months of build-up and a fiery mid-week press conference, where both were warned for some choice language, it all comes to a head at the AO Arena Manchester.

It's an all-British affair, with Bolton and Sheffield going toe-to-toe in a fight that, for many, is years later than it should have been but, nevertheless, is a tricky one to call.

Khan has the more established pedigree with world titles and fights stateside but Brook is the fighter who has been active most recently - and he's the one who appears to have the largest chip on his shoulder.

So who will get the final word? Will underdog Amir Khan secure a win? Will Brook get the last laugh? Here's what our MEN Sport reporters think.

Josh Challies

Initially, I was backing Khan but, like many others, my assessment has changed since. Brook is certainly up for it and, when I spoke to him earlier this year about the event, it seemed to mean more to him than it did for Khan.

That's not to say that Khan doesn't care but for Brook, aside from his world title victory against Shaun Porter, it's the biggest night of his career. For Khan, it's another opponent and, while there is plenty of ill feeling, there appears to be slightly less importance.

Brook has been relentlessly training since last summer, with the fight initially thought to take place in December, and has spent the last six weeks in a settled camp in Fuertaventura away from his family and friends. While Khan has also been away in the United States, he's been in a number of areas and hasn't had the same established environment as Brook.

The big difference, however, is Khan's lack of activity. Last in the ring in the summer of 2019, securing victory against Billy Dib, a number of weight divisions lower than him, hardly results in a recent record that shows he is the superior fighter.

While Brook was last in the ring at the back-end of 2020, that was significantly more recent and, as mentioned, he's spent months effectively in camp - so I have it as his fight to lose.

Prediction: Brook TKO in the fifth round.

Will Freeman

All week I had been erring on the side of a Brook TKO in the 6th or 7th round but since the weigh in I'm not so sure as Khan looks in fantastic shape.

These two in their prime would have beaten each other fairly comfortably as their peaks came at different times with Khan peaking ten years ago and Brook five years ago.

However, they now enter the fight on a level playing field with both being relatively unknown quantities from a form perspective both out of action for a long time.

If Khan still has his speed then he can take Brook late on as the Sheffield star tires but should Brook's chin holds firm then he may be able to produce enough in the early rounds to secure a points victory.

Prediction: Brook on points decision.

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