AMIR KHAN felt he ‘underestimated’ Kell Brook and could have been ‘jet lagged’ in their grudge match, promoter Ben Shalom said.
It comes following the news the 2004 Olympian has three weeks to decide whether he will invoke his right to an immediate rematch with Brook.
Shalom, whose Boxxer stable is partnered with Sky Sports, revealed there has been rumblings out of Khan’s camp that his preparations have led to regret.
And with a rematch clause included in the initial contract, a second fight between the 35-year-old ex-world champions remains possible.
Shalom told SunSport: “One curveball is that Amir Khan does have a rematch clause in his contract.
“A lot of people are not expecting him to activate that – us included – but at the same time, I’ve heard a lot, around the camp, the jet lag.
“Also perhaps him not taking Kell as seriously as he should have, a few memers coming out of their camp.
“They’ve got at least two or three weeks to activate that rematch clause.”
.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}
Most read in Boxing
.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Brook, 35, claimed Khan’s biggest mistake was giving him half a year to prepare for the biggest fight of his career and get in top shape.
Meanwhile Khan, 35, only flew out to America in November to start his training camp under new coach Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre.
And he then returned home just over a week before judgement day at the Manchester Arena.
Shalom has refused to rule out a rematch but insisted the decision is solely down to Khan, whose pride has been dented after the crushing loss.
The 28-year-old promoter said: “It’s in his hands, it’s not in my hands, if he wants the rematch, he’s got the rematch.
“His pride is obviously extremely hurt and he feels like he didn’t give a good account of himself.
“Perhaps jet lagged, he only had a ten-week camp while Kell was training for six months.
It’s in his hands, it’s not in my hands, if he wants the rematch, he’s got the rematch.
Ben Shalom on Amir Khan’s rematch clause with Kell Brook
“But I don’t know, he took a lot of punishment but never went down. I don’t know, it’s not in my hands, that’s the thing here.
“Amir’s going to have to make a decision and I don’t know what he’s going to do.”
Khan hinted at retirement following his bitter defeat, which would bring the end to a celebrated and historic career.
But for now, before his fighting future is decided, Khan will take a deserved break in Dubai, where he has a holiday home with wife Faryal.
Shalom added: “I spoke to him and Faryal more. Obviously, he’s gutted.
“His pride’s hurt, he’s upset, it’s not a great experience for him, it meant a lot to him this fight.
“That’s the big thing, his legacy on the biggest platform on the biggest stage in front of his home fans, he doesn’t feel like he performed how he should.
“He feels he underestimated Kell. But he’ll be fine. He’s gone to Dubai, he’s having some time out now and hopeful, he will recover.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
