By Scott Gilfoid: Eddie Hearn views this Saturday’s match between Amir Khan and Kell Brook as little more than a last-ditch money grab for both fighters as they head into retirement. Both fighters are in their mid-30s and haven’t been relevant for many years at 147.
Khan and Brook will make MILLIONs from their fight, which in effect is a golden parachute for the two to give them a soft landing in their retirement.
Financially, it’s less critical for the 35-year-old Khan to take this fight, as his net worth is estimated at $40 million. Still, he’s not going to turn down a chance to add millions for generational wealth.
Money-wise, this fight is arguably more important for the 35-year-old Brook, as he hasn’t made the same type of loot that Khan has during his career, so it’s good for him that he’s getting this payday.
Not only will Khan be wealthy for the remainder of his life, but his kids as well as long as they don’t squander the loot.
It’s painfully apparent that Khan and Brook haven’t done anything for years at welterweight. Khan has been spinning his wheels, taking occasional money fights since losing to Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia a decade ago in 20
Hearn labels Khan-Brook a “money grab”
“I’ve been involved in money grabs,” Hearn said to Secondsout. “But [Khan vs. Brook] is [a money grab]. It’s just the two of them going, ‘Let’s not be silly. This is massive money for the both of us. Let’s make the fight, mate.’
“Will I sit down and watch it? Probably not. Of course, I want to know what happens now.
“I still look at Kell, and it looks like he’s training hard. Khan doesn’t look particularly sharp or great, but he’s going to give it his everything,” said Hearn.
It’s evident that Khan-Brook is a money grab, but that’s what we’re seeing left and right in boxing.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has focused exclusively on money grabs since 2017, and we’ve got the YouTubers, Jake & Logan Paul, joining in.
Even Ricky Hatton isn’t immune to it, as he’s talking about wanting to return to the ring to fight Marco Antonio Barrera in an exhibition.
As the saying goes, ‘Let the buyer beware.’ If boxing fans are expecting a great product from Saturday’s cash-out fight between Khan and Brook, they’ll be disappointed.
Brook will be affected by Crawford being ringside
“It’s great that Crawford is here. He has a lot of fans in the UK. He beat Brook and is now on my team – that will definitely affect Brook and put him on a low,” said Khan to Sky Sports Boxing on Terence Crawford being at ringside on Saturday night.
“Automatically, you will see Brook want to give up,” said a hopeful Khan. “My game-plan is to stick to what BoMac, Crawford, and the team tell me to do.
“I’ll catch him with good, clean shots. I have the power and the speed,” added Khan.
Gilfoid highly doubts that Brook will be concerned with Crawford being at ringside on Saturday night.
Brook will be too focused at swinging for the fences, knowing that if he destroys Khan with a highlight reel knockout, it’ll increase his chances that one of the relevant welterweights will throw him a bone for another payday fight.
Even if all Brook can get is a match against the 42-year-old Ricky Hatton, that’s good money for him, and he’s not going to turn it down.
Knowing that he can get other big paydays, Brook will be going all out looking to KO Amir with every shot to try and similarly stop him as Canelo Alvarez, Briedis Prescott, and Danny Garcia did.
