Amir Khan and Kell Brook separated at weigh-in ahead of rivals’ long-awaited fight
The British pair will finally clash on Saturday after years of waiting
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Amir Khan and Kell Brook both successfully made weight on Friday ahead of their highly-anticipated grudge match at the Manchester Arena this Saturday.
The British rivals will finally clash after years of waiting, meeting in a main-event catchweight contest with a 149lbs limit.
Brook had threatened to come in overweight and accept a fine worth “a few hundred grand”, but the Sheffield fighter hit the scales before his Bolton-born opponent and weighed in half-a-pound under the limit, as a hostile crowd of around 2,000 watched on in Manchester.
Khan soon followed and weighed in at 147.5lbs.
The 35-year-olds had to be separated during their subsequent face-off, having traded heated words – just as they did at Thursday’s fiery press conference.
“Half-a-pound under. Like I’ve been telling you, I’ve been nice for weeks,” Brook later told Sky Sports.
“The weight weren’t an issue, because this is a fight I can get up for easily.
“I feel amazing [mentally]. It’s now about fuelling up and coming in cool, calm and collected. I’ve got to stick to the gameplan and just perform, do my business.
“It’s gonna be electric, exciting, plenty of drama. I’m there to thrill the fans.”
Every other fighter on Saturday’s card also successfully made weight, including heavyweight Frazer Clarke, who makes his professional debut against fellow debutant Jake Darnell.
Clarke was a medal-winner for Team GB at last summer’s Tokyo Olympics, and anticipation is high for his professional career.
Clarke’s compatriot Natasha Jonas, meanwhile, is jumping up two weight classes for her co-main event against Uruguay’s Chris Namus.
The vacant women’s WBO super-welterweight title will be on the line as Jonas makes her third attempt at becoming a world champion.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments