Amir Khan appeared to hint strongly at his impending retirement from boxing after suffering a galling loss to arch-nemesis Kell Brook in a long-awaited grudge match.
The former unified light-welterweight world champion certainly wasn’t lacking in heart or determination in his first outing since the summer of 2019 in Manchester on Saturday night, with his trademark hand and foot speed still on display on multiple occasions aged 35.
However, Khan simply could not cope with bitter rival Brook’s fierce power on the night, being hurt several times before referee Victor Loughlin finally stepped in to end the bout 51 seconds into round number six.
And while Brook now appears to have his eyes fixed on another all-British showdown with Chris Eubank Jr, Khan may well decide to end his illustrious career after a sixth defeat in 40 professional contests.
A downbeat and marked up Khan told Sky Sports Box Office when quizzed on his future: “40 fights, that’s a lot of fights. Winning two world titles, fighting up and down America and around the world.
“I need to sit down with my family, but I think it is more towards the end of my career now, yeah.
“Obviously that love of the sport is not there anymore, like it was before. When I was in the ring I used to have that excitement and that push, but I just didn’t have that in me, I felt quite flat.
“I think that’s maybe a sign for me to know that I should be calling it a day maybe. But let’s see, I’m going to go back and watch the video. Let’s see where we go from here.”