Opinions and Observations: Khan-Brook

They call it prizefighting. But for Kell Brook, Saturday's fight against Amir Khan wasn't chiefly about money or historical legacy. No, his prize would be far more primal. He wanted a scalp, Amir Khan's head atop his mantlepiece. 

For many years Brook tried in vain to land a fight with Khan. Offers of ridiculous amounts of money went ignored. They had different promoters and then worked with the same promoter, but still, no fight. Khan had always fancied himself as an international superstar, worthy of the best the sport had to offer. Khan believed that Brook was beneath him in status, and perhaps more importantly, if unsaid, that the risk Brook presented wasn't worth it to him. 

Brook (left) immediately after the fight is stopped
Photo courtesy of Lawrence Lustig

The lead up to Saturday's matchup focused on who had what left. Khan had been knocked out numerous times in the past and Brook had surgically repaired eye sockets from taking too many hard punches against the likes of Gennadiy Golovkin and Errol Spence. In his last outing, Brook didn't make it out of the fourth round against Terence Crawford; perhaps this was why Khan finally agreed to share a ring with his English rival. 

Khan and Brook entered Saturday's fight at 35, years past their best, yet still inflamed with animosity toward the other. 

In the first round they spent little time with pleasantries or caution. Both were determined to end the other, and as fast as they could. Khan's hand speed and combinations flowed while Brook put everything into surgical strikes with single power punches. At the end of the round, Brook got through with a power punch that wobbled Khan's legs, an early sign that Khan's punch resistance would be a problem. 

Khan tried a number of tactics to gain an edge: leading with single shots, flurrying with fast combinations, or countering. But the problems that have plagued him throughout his career reappeared: he got greedy, he didn't respect what his opponent could do, and his defense and spacing deteriorated. 

Amir controlled most of the third round and landed several impressive combinations. But as he kept going for the gusto, his technical flaws were apparent. He jabbed from too close, giving Brook ample opportunities to counter. He was a defensive mess when throwing his combinations, often getting completely square and leaving enormous gaps between his gloves. Despite landing several authoritative punches on Brook throughout the third, Khan paid for his defensive lapses. He was again wobbled at the end of the round. 

By the end of the fourth, Brook had no doubts about his ability to take Khan's shots and he was buoyed by his ability to hurt Khan. Although Brook wasn't at his sharpest and missed too many right hands over the top, he landed enough to change the course of the fight. In addition, he mixed in several left hooks to the body and a couple of eye-catching left uppercuts, leaving Khan guessing about what to do defensively. 

Brook was now relentlessly marching forward behind power shots, and Khan was in retreat, without ideas of what to do next. Brook kept pounding away. Ultimately, referee Victor Loughlin had seen enough by the sixth round and stopped the fight. Brook celebrated the triumph, raising his arms in jubilation. This wasn't just another day at the office. It was everything. 

Brook celebrates the victory
Photo courtesy of Lawrence Lustig

Brook will retire in due time with a strange career that encompassed one sublime performance against top competition (Shawn Porter), two admirable showings in defeat (Golovkin and Spence), and a lot of what-ifs. Although he had 43 professional fights, less than a handful made any sort of impact. He had a multitude of injuries and a few fight cancellations of note, but even when he was fully healthy, he wasn't easy to get in the ring, especially against solid opposition. Between the Porter and Golovkin fights, Brook defended his welterweight title three times and none of his opponents were legitimate top-15 guys. So much of his career was spent in marking time appearances for fat Matchroom/Sky paychecks. 

It's possible that after it's all over Brook will have some regrets about aspects of his career. But I have no doubt that his victory over Khan will help take the sting out of some of those self-flagellations. Khan was his white whale, his trophy, and he finally conquered his elusive foe, the one that truly mattered to him.

In the end Brook had his just rewards. His victory was comprehensive and satisfying. And despite both fighters looking removed from world-class, they came to win and settle scores. Neither was in the mood to be cute or eke out a decision. They were there to make a stand. We will see more important fights this year and I'm sure better ones as well, but Brook and Khan deserve credit for their prizefight. They left no doubt, made no excuses, and let their hands fly. That's all we could ask for, and they delivered. 

Adam Abramowitz is the founder and head writer of saturdaynightboxing.com. He's a member of Ring Magazine's Ring Ratings Panel and a Board Member for the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. 

Email: saturdaynightboxing@hotmail.com.

snboxing on twitter. SN Boxing on Facebook. 

Punch 2 the Face Radio

This week on the Punch 2 the Face podcast we were joined by welterweight contender Blair Cobbs. The flamboyant fighter with a one-of-a-kind backstory is back in the ring on Valentine's Day and is looking forward to facing the top guys in the division by the end of the year. Junior lightweight champ Jamel Herring also called into the show. We talked about his title defense over Lamont Roach, his recovery process from numerous rabbit punches in the fight and his next bout against former champion Carl Frampton. Also on the show, Brandon and I discussed Farmer-Diaz, Roman-Akhmadaliev, the annual Gary Russell fight week, Kell Brook and much more. To listen to the podcast, click on the links below:
 
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Also, find us on Spotify: Punch 2 the Face Radio #160

Adam Abramowitz is the founder and head writer of saturdaynightboxing.com. He's a member of Ring Magazine's Ring Ratings Panel and a Board Member for the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. 
Email: saturdaynightboxing@hotmail.com.

snboxing on twitter. SN Boxing on Facebook. 

The Season of Spence

Even as far back as the Olympics, it was clear that Errol Spence Jr. possessed the poise, power punching and intelligence to succeed at the next level. Although he exited the 2012 Games without a medal, his showing during the tournament heralded a new U.S. talent, one who could become a major factor in the upper levels of professional boxing.

Turning pro at the end of 2012, Spence continued to build on his amateur success in his early fights; he destroyed virtually every foe that he encountered. Even his putative gatekeeper opponents, such as Chris Van Heerden, Chris Algieri and Leonard Bundu, weren't able to provide even token resistance. It was hard not to get excited about his potential. 

In a perfect world, Spence would've had more development fights prior to his first title shot. He hadn't encountered a decent puncher or an opponent with significant athletic gifts during his development. However, he was so dominant against the fighters he did face that one could understand why his team may have skipped a step in favor of landing a championship opportunity. Nevertheless, they were still taking a big risk heading to a title shot without Spence beating a proper slate of trial horses. 

Courtesy of Amanda Westcott/Showtime

Last May, Spence was thrown into the proverbial fire against welterweight titlist Kell Brook. Although he was facing a proud and talented champion in his hometown soccer stadium, Spence wasn't overawed by the moment. Spence started the fight methodically and purposefully. And while Brook's superior hand speed led to some early-round victories, Spence was executing his game plan, punishing the body and sacrificing punch volume to land significant power shots. Despite being down in the fight, Spence, and his steadfast trainer, Derrick James, didn't deviate from the plan.  

By the fight's second half, Spence's approach was bearing fruit. Whereas Brook got the best of many of the exchanges early in the fight, by the seventh and eighth rounds, Spence was landing with far greater frequency and with often punishing results; he was now battering Brook in the ring. He scored a knockdown in the 10th and withstood a final flurry by Brook in one of the more riveting rounds of the year. In the 11th, Brook had had enough. A broken orbital bone caused him to yield; Spence was now a world champion. 

In Sheffield that night, I left the arena with nothing but superlatives for Spence. Not only did he win a belt on foreign soil in a hostile atmosphere, but he beat a very good version of Brook, easily one of the top-two or three welterweights in the world. Furthermore, he needed to come from behind to achieve victory, a tall order for any fighter, let alone one with such paltry world-class experience. Spence never experienced a gut-check fight during his development, yet, when the time came he overcame his first battle with adversity with aplomb.  

After the fight, I talked with a number of English boxing enthusiasts at the hotel bar. Even though almost all proudly supported Brook, Spence had earned their respect. Spence made a lot of new fans that night, in Sheffield and in boxing outposts around the world.  

Fresh off the biggest moment of his career, it would have been natural for Spence to make a hometown defense in his next fight, a way to build on the momentum of his destruction of Brook. America is light on homegrown boxing stars and Spence is one of the few candidates in this country to become one. He's pleasing to watch in the ring, a good interview and packs boulders in both of his hands. Yet, for whatever reason, Spence would wind up sitting out the rest of 2017, which was certainly an opportunity squandered. 

On January 20th, Spence finally makes his return to the ring, against Lamont Peterson at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Peterson, a capable top-ten welterweight, certainly presents a credible first defense for Spence. Although Peterson can run a little hot-and-cold, when he's on, he's a difficult proposition for any fighter. 

Courtesy of Amanda Westcott/Showtime

Peterson won't enter the ring with capitulation on his mind. He's not inclined to be a passive participant in a Spence coronation. With the exception of a knockout loss to Lucas Matthysse, Peterson has given every opponent a tough go of it. Similar to Spence, Peterson hasn't enjoyed his lengthy periods out of the ring. And he's never been a favored fighter in the PBC universe. He fights with a chip on his shoulder and a realization that the present is his time to make his bones in the ring. 

Spence stands on the precipice of creating a truly memorable 2018. Should he get past Peterson, potential opponents such as unified titlist Keith Thurman, or past champions such as Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia, could provide additional opportunities for great fights. If Spence continues to win against top opponents such as these, he could emerge as a bona fide attraction in boxing. 

Looking down the road even a little farther, Terence Crawford, the former undisputed junior welterweight champion, and one of the top-two fighters on most pound-for-pound lists, will be moving up to welterweight in 2018. Should Crawford obtain a belt at 147 (Jeff Horn, come on down!), a potential superfight could emerge between Spence and Crawford in early 2019. Now, it's certainly true that Spence's manager, Al Haymon, and Crawford's promoter, Bob Arum, don't always play well together, but there'd be a boatload of money for that fight and neither side is opposed to greenbacks. 

A lot of this is speculative. Spence has never faced someone with the athletic gifts of Thurman. He hasn't had to deal with the type of constant pressure that Porter applies or a fighter with Crawford's versatility. Spence will be challenged every step of the way should he endeavor to face the best at 147. 

In short, it's an exciting time to be a fan or an observer of Spence. And although Spence has the potential to lose to Peterson, Thurman or Porter, very few fighters have the package of physical attributes in the ring and the types of intangibles like poise, a high ring IQ and self-confidence that could lead to a sustained run of success in the top levels of boxing. 

Refreshingly, Spence doesn't seem to be plagued by self-satisfaction. Unlike many modern fighters, Spence doesn't appear to be happy with low six-figure purses or periods of inactivity. He wants challenges and the glory that comes with being the best. Sadly, far too many of Spence's boxing brethren lack his sense of urgency.

Spence-Peterson should present boxing fans with a memorable battle, featuring devastating inside combat, skills, athleticism and lots of power punches. Spence will soon learn that at this level of boxing, every fight can be a threat. Should Spence make it through January's fight with a victory, he could be on a rapid road to true superstardom. But the winds are strong at high altitude and Spence wouldn't be the first fighter to be negatively affected by rarefied air. However, he has a good support team around him and the urge to really make something of himself. 2018 will be Spence's proving ground. And if he ends the year beating multiple threats in the welterweight division, the boxing world could be his oyster. Stay tuned.  

Adam Abramowitz is the founder and head writer of saturdaynightboxing.com

He's a member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

Email: saturdaynightboxing@hotmail.com

@snboxing on twitter. SN Boxing on Facebook.