Amir Khan on retirement after Kell Brook loss: 'The love for the sport isn’t there anymore'
Amir Khan vs Kell Brook repeats are on Sky Box Office at 8am and 3pm on Sunday February 20
Sunday 20 February 2022 13:48, UK
Amir Khan has strongly hinted he will retire after his stoppage loss to Kell Brook on Saturday in Manchester.
Brook battered Khan until the referee stepped in to bring an end to the grudge match between the two 35-year-olds in the sixth round.
Khan, who rose to stardom by winning a silver medal as a 17-year-old at 2004 Olympics before becoming a world champion at the age of 22, confirmed he is considering his future.
"I've had 40 fights, winning two world titles, fighting in America and around the world," Khan told Sky Sports. "I need to sit down with my family. But it is more towards the end of my career.
"The love for the sport isn't there anymore.
"In the ring, I didn't have excitement and that push.
"That's maybe a sign that I should call it a day. But let's see."
Khan put on a brave display, gamely surviving several onslaughts from Brook in front of a partisan crowd in his favour at the Manchester Arena.
"The first time I felt like this was when I fought Bud Crawford," Khan explained in his post-fight press conference. "I felt like I just can't get in the groove. I thought maybe it was just because he was that good. And today again, I tried to get in the groove, and I just couldn't really get in the groove.
"It's something to think about it, definitely. I've always said I don't want boxing to retire me, I want to retire from boxing before it does that. Punishment like that sometimes in boxing, I know I showed a big heart and took some big shots today, but sometimes too much of that can be harmful in the future.
"I've done more than I ever expected. Maybe I peaked too early in my career, I was at the Olympics at 17, I won the world title at 22. I'm 35 now, I've been in the game a very long time, I'm an old man now.
"I want to spend time with my kids and my family. I want to be there for my family, I want to take them to school at be that father."
Brook not ruling out retirement - 'I can live at peace'
Meanwhile, Brook has said he will discuss his future with his family after the landmark win.
"I've always wanted to have the fight with Amir," he said. "I think this grudge match and this is the icing on the cake for me. I can live at peace with myself, with my career now.
"Do I want to carry on? I feel like a 23-year-old today. I'm gonna sit down with my family and see if I want to carry on."
Chris Eubank Jr anticipated a Brook victory ahead of the fight and said he would like to take on the Sheffield fighter but the former IBF welterweight champion is unsure if he will continue.
"I've always said I never want boxing to retire me, I want to retire from boxing and punishment like that sometimes in boxing, too much of that can be sometimes harmful in the future.
"I'll sit down with my wife and my family in the morning and see where we go from here."
Amir Khan vs Kell Brook repeats are on Sky Box Office at 8am and 3pm on Sunday February 20.
