Ricky Hatton is edging towards Kell Brook ahead of his imminent showdown with Amir Khan. The welterweight rivals clash on Saturday night at the Manchester Arena, the home of a number of Hatton’s biggest successes, and it’s a battle ‘The Hitman’ has long thought about.
In 2009, Hatton was linked to a fight with Khan after the Bolton fighter defeated Andreas Kotelnik to become world champion at 140lbs. The fight never materialised, but Hatton has kept a close eye on both Khan and Brook during their dominant years after he slipped into retirement. As their fight draws closer, Hatton is favouring the Sheffield man.
“Over the years I must admit I fancied Amir Khan to get the better of Kell Brook,” said Hatton when writing in his latest Metro column. “Looking at the footage of him in training, even before the fight was announced, he looked to still have plenty of that speed, even if he isn’t quite as quick as he was a few years ago.
“It would have been fair to say he might be a bit too quick for Kell. But Kell himself looks in absolute fantastic condition. I’ve changed my mind a little bit and I’m sure I will again before the opening bell on Saturday, but I think Kell has looked a little bit fitter, a little bit sharper based on the footage we have seen.
“It is such a 50-50 fight, but Kell is looking pretty quick himself and we know he has got the punching power. He is certainly capable of knocking Amir out. At the moment, I’m drifting ever so slightly to Brook.”