Amir Khan was beaten by the lowest of low blows as his bid to topple one of the world’s greatest boxers ended in a cross between farce and despair.
Khan had come back from a first round knock-down to trouble undefeated WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford when he was hit way below the belt by a vicious left hand.
Referee David Fields gave time out, presumably hoping Khan might recover but as a doctor came to check on the British challenger he seemed to tire of waiting and waved his arms to signal the end.
Terence Crawford won by TKO after Amir Khan said he could not continue after being hit with a low blow
There was a horrible low shot from Crawford and Khan immediately turned away in discomfort from the punch
Khan's trainer Virgil Hunter spoke to his fighter and the welterweight was adamant that he couldn't carry on
There was confused speculation as to whether Crawford was being disqualified or the bout declared a no-contest – until Khan was abruptly declared the loser by technical knock out in the 47th second of the sixth round.
Khan should have been given a full five minutes to recover but he and his corner declined and pulled out of the fight.
He said: ‘I took a shot below the belt and felt something in my stomach and my legs. I’m usually a warrior but I couldn’t go on. I would never normally give up. I would have to be knocked out..’
There was no talk of a rematch, as Crawford and his promoter began canvassing for title unification fights.
If this is to be the end of Khan’s career, it is a terrible anti-climax. There is to be no third world title, no world shattering upset in America.
Maybe the long-awaited domestic battle with Kell Brook, who was at ringside, will provide a farewell but Khan said: ‘I will go to be with my family and think about what to do.’
The former Olympic silver medalist was being well beaten on the night before the low blow from Crawford
Khan was floored in the opening round and endured a nightmare start, eating a massive right hand and then left
The British fighter grimaced after being sent to the canvas and stood up to take the count from the referee
Crawford landed some heavy shots early on and tested out the often fragile chin of his opponent
But some the lustre of the Brook fight was lost when he declined to take advantage of his recovery time and stayed in his corner.
The pity was that he had come back from a first round knock-down to make the fight one of his usual thrillers before he chose to ring down the
