Amir Khan and Kell Brook ended a long rivalry in February of 2022 – a sixth round stoppage for Brook and the final fight for both men after world championship winning careers.
The rivalry was full of bad blood, spite and ill will. Its fight came too late in the careers of both men, but particularly Khan, who was unsteady legs from the first hard shot landed.
Retirement was nailed on for him, but a little less certain for Brook, who looked well capable of more wins. Ultimately both men would hang up the gloves, but Brook has since flirted with a return.
The fight was tainted one year on when it was revealed that Khan had failed a post-fight doping test. As the fighting public incensed at how long it took for the news to be released, the man from Bolton denied knowingly taking any banned substance.
That defence was accepted by an independent panel, but he was banned from all professional sporting activity for two years from the date of the fight.
Brook initially took the news to heart, fuming at Khan to the media for putting him in danger. He would later go onto change his view on the matter, seemingly accepting that the amount was small enough and believing Khan wouldn’t knowingly cheat.
That feeling has carried on and the pair were all smiles at ringside for the rematch between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank.
.@SpecialKBrook v @amirkingkhan 2 😅#SmithEubank2 | Now | AO Arena, Manchester | @SkySportsBoxing@WassermanBoxingpic.twitter.com/1iiai8EZK3
— BOXXER (@boxxer) September 2, 2023
Brook went on to tell the broadcast that he was ‘very interested in the main event’, with his mind still on a ring return and his eyes on the winner.