1. Kell Brook vs Shawn Porter
Despite his potential, few expected Brook to go to America and usurp undefeated IBF welterweight belt-holder Porter in 2015, but that is exactly what he did. Going in, Porter had beaten Malignaggi and Alexander and was one of the new stars of American boxing.
2. Amir Khan vs Marcos Maidana
In perhaps the best fight on this list, Maidana hauled himself up from a first-round knockdown to push Khan every step of the way in 2010. Following a grandstand finish, Khan held on to take a hard-earned decision win.
3. Khan vs Devon Alexander
Easily the standout win of Khan’s ‘second phase’, a 12-round drubbing of Alexander in 2014 hinted at what could be achieved as a welterweight, having made his name in the weight class below.
4. Khan vs Andreas Kotelnik
Khan’s first ‘world’ title fight, all the way back in 2009, saw him produce one of the finest boxing displays of his career to stay one step ahead of WBA belt-holder Kotelnik for the 12 rounds they shared.
5. Khan vs Zab Judah
Though Judah was past his best by the time he met Khan in 2011, that Khan managed to stop him inside five rounds spoke to the WBA light-welterweight titlist’s growing maturity. The win also secured Judah’s IBF belt.
6. Khan vs Paulie Malignaggi
Beating Malignaggi was nothing new – others had done it before Khan – but the manner of the victory, an 11th round stoppage, was what impressed the most when Khan and Malignaggi met in 2010.
7. Khan vs Luis Collazo
The underrated Collazo was an awkward southpaw coming off a second-round stoppage of Victor Ortiz when Khan got hold of him and outpointed him over 12 rounds in 2014.
8. Khan vs Chris Algieri
After losing a wide decision against modern great Manny Pacquiao, Algieri fought Khan in 2015, though didn’t fare much better, losing another UD after 12 rounds.
9. Brook vs Frankie Gavin
Gavin, a former amateur star who never quite set fire as a pro, found himself beaten up and stopped inside six rounds when meeting Brook in 2015.
10. Brook vs Carson Jones II
Jones won’t be remembered as world-beater, but he did Brook give all he could handle for 12 rounds in 2012, meaning Brook’s rematch win the following year – a stoppage in eight – was important.
Amir Khan vs Kell Brook: Better late than never, or better never than too late?
