By Jeff Aronow: Carl Froch says he was Impressed with Saturday night’s welterweight match between Kell Brook and Amir Khan in Manchester, England. At this point, Froch says he’d like to see both fighters retire rather than continue on.
Froch says Khan (34-6, 21 KOs) did himself proud fighting on Bambi legs from the first round after getting clipped by Brook (40-3, 28 KOs) at the Manchester Arena.
Carl liked how Khan, 35, stayed in there until the referee pulled him out rather than quitting like some fighters would have done.
Khan had nothing on his punches
“I thought it was a really good performance by both fighters. Great for the crowd, great to watch and great for television,” said Carl Froch to Boxing Social on the Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook fight.
“They both did themselves proud,” Froch continued. “Khan got Brooked up, absolutely Brooked up. To be fair to Amir Khan, he stayed in there after his legs turned to Bambi, and he managed to stay in there for a round or two.
“He looked like he was recovering and throwing fast combination punches. But it just looked like he was stabbing in the dark, throwing punches with no force behind them.
Punching for the sake of punching, and Kell Brook was quite poised, timing his shots. I got to give him [Khan] credit for staying in there, and he showed a lot of pride because if he’d pulled out it would have been bad.
“I didn’t realize the fight would be that good. Amir Khan stayed in there, even though he looked gone from round one. Kell Brook was able to perform, and put his shots together and show good counter-punching, good timing.
“I don’t like the fact that he was called out by Chris Eubank Jr,” said Froch about middleweight Eubank Jr. calling out Brook after the fight. “I don’t think that’s a wise move for him. This should be his final fight, his swan song.
Amir has nothing to be ashamed of
“He’s put that ghost to bed with the fight that should have happened years and years ago,” said Froch about Brook finally getting the fight with Khan.
“Amir Khan has nothing to be ashamed of, to be fair. His legs were gone, yes. He wasn’t really in the fight other than throwing a few mindless combinations, which really didn’t do anything.
“Give him his due. He gave another entertaining performance. He didn’t pull out. The referee had to step in and save him from further punishment.
“If you’re the kind of fighter that doesn’t mind taking a beating. Amir Khan obviously doesn’t mind being whooped and beat up. I don’t want to get beat up myself and KO’d like he does,” said Froch.
“To stay in the fight, you’ve got to give him a lot of credit. That’s a joke,” said Froch when asked if Khan will use his rematch clause. “Will Amir Khan trigger a rematch after that?
“I see what you’re saying and I see what you’re doing here. I understand the question,” said Froch in realizing that the interviewer is trying to get him to say something negative about Khan. “I realize now that you’re being serious but I still can’t answer it.
“Amir 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.
“Yes, he’s been knocked out a couple of times, but give him his due. The fight against Marcos Maidana stands out for me. It was amazing in a fight he was getting battered, and he managed to stay in there and survive and get the win. He deserved to win as well. So I’ve got respect for him,” said Froch.