By Greg Heakes, AFP
LOS ANGELES — Britain's WBA champion Amir Khan says his superior speed and punching power will make the difference when he defends his super lightweight title against Marcos Maidana in his first Las Vegas fight.
The 23-year-old Bolton fighter, who is based in California, last fought in May when he defeated American Paulie Malignaggi in New York.
Khan, 23-1 17 KOs, will fight Maidana, his mandatory challenger, on December 11 at the Mandalay Bay hotel and casino.
"We know exactly what to do and how to beat him," Khan said at a news conference Tuesday at the Congo Room club in downtown Los Angeles. "People say he is a big hitter but I hit just as hard with speed.
"I think I am going to come in as a bigger puncher I have the power to put him down."
Maidana, 27, is regarded as a dangerous fighter having racked up a record of 29 wins and one defeat with 27 knockouts.
"I want to be in the best form of my life. I got this opportunity and I want to make the best of it," Argentina's Maidana said Tuesday.
Khan, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, said he doesn't get enough credit for his punching power.
"I am not scared of him (Maidana) or anyone. Do I look scared? It is a big challenge for me but I am excited and feel confident. I will put him in his place."
Maidana's trainer Miguel Diaz said both fighters are in their prime.
"It will be a tremendous fight. They are not over the hill at 34 or 35 years old. They are in the prime of their careers."
Khan had wanted to take the fight to England but made concessions to get the contract signed.
"I really wanted to fight in England but this is a bigger fight in the US," he said.
Khan left immediately after the news conference to travel to the Philippines to train with Manny Pacquiao and legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach. He will also be heading to Dallas next month for Pacquiao's world title fight at Cowboys Stadium against Antonio Margarito.
Khan will do some light sparring with Pacquiao in the Philippines but the main purpose of the trip is to work with Roach on technique.
"Freddie knows what technique to use and what game plan to follow to win a fight," Khan said.
Khan will be fighting for just the second time in the United States. He stopped Malignaggi in the 11th round of a one-sided fight.
Both Khan and Maidana fought Andreas Kotelnik in 2009. Maidana, who has 23 KOs in the first three rounds, has won four consecutive fights since dropping a split decision to Kotelnik in February. Just five months later, Khan beat Kotelnik in 12 rounds for the WBA title.
Khan's younger brother, Haroon Khan, is competing at the Commonwealth Games in India fighting for Pakistan and saying he had been snubbed by England boxing officials. The 19-year-old boxer is fighting under the name Haroon Iqbal rather than Khan.
Khan said he spoke to his brother over the phone and gave him some advice.
"I told him the hard work and training he has put in is going to pay off."
Khan said Haroon had no other choice but to fight for Pakistan.
"It is good for him to go to the Commonwealth Games regardless of fighting for Pakistan. If he wasn't fighting for Pakistan he wouldn't have had the chance to fight in the Commonwealth Games. He would not have gotten the experience."
Khan said it was a mistake not to take Haroon for the England team.
"It is one of those things," Khan said. "He wasn't even on the second team or the third team. When he has already won the nationals and they don't pick him, then there is something wrong there."
Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.
Source: google.com
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Bert Sugar: “He’s been called Floyd ‘Maynever’ because he may never fight again” -- Examiner
By Chris Robinson, Examiner.com
If you are ever looking for a figure in the sport of boxing who will give you a combination of straightforwardness, humor and insight, legendary boxing scribe Bert Sugar will surely satisfy your needs. Now residing in New York, Sugar is known well without the sport because of his knowledge of the boxing’s rich history and the quick wit and passion for which he still delivers his thoughts.
Despite 2010 being relatively modest in terms of meaningful fights and overall excitement for the first three quarters of the year, it should be noted that there are some tremendous matchups on the horizon that are worth a look. I reached out to Sugar to get his thoughts on what lies ahead for the rest of the year as well as his take on some storylines outside of the sport, such as the legal trouble facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. and whether or not we will ever see him in the ring again.
Continue reading to see what Sugar had to say about Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao’s bout with Antonio Margarito, Bernard Hopkins’ challenge of Jean Pascal, Amir Khan’s chances towards stardom, a potential Timothy Bradley-Devon Alexander clash and much more…
Last month’s Shane Mosley-Sergio Mora bout…
“He couldn’t fight and Mora wouldn’t fight. It was a two-fall proposition. One couldn’t get off and the other wouldn’t let him. It was just a dreadful fight and the decision was even worse. Mosley won but the judges must have fallen asleep. I know I did. Somebody in the row in front of me told me to stop snoring because I was keeping him awake.”
Mosley’s future…
“I don’t think he’s a pay per view fighter anymore. I do think that at 38, going on 39, he’s come to the end of his career. How he propels is, which he can, will have to be at a lower level.”
Floyd’s situation…
“He’s been called Floyd ‘Maynever’. He may never fight again. He didn’t seem to want to fight Pacquiao and he may never fight again depending on the charges. I cant’ comment on [his legal issues], I’m not a psychiatrist. But he does seem to have problems.”
Margarito’s chances against Pacquiao…
“I don’t know about him. He’s been out a year. He was knocked out by Mosley in his last fight. I don’t know if he has found a new life or a new relationship. I think he’s damaged merchandise both in the eyes of the boxing fans and maybe in his own eyes.”
Amir Khan’s pursuit of greatness…
“Khan seems to be talented when he doesn’t get hit. But when he got hit he got knocked out in half a minute I think. He’s a talented fighter. I think it’s a good test for Khan and if he doesn’t get hit he’s the goods. But he might be this generation’s version of Floyd Patterson. Tap him on the jaw and he goes tap tap on the canvas.”
Timothy Bradley vs. Devon Alexander…
“It’s intriguing. Both of them have great potential. It’s up to one of them to show it in this fight. I don’t know who has an edge. It’s hard to say. I’ve seen them fight in alternating currencies. Between good and great, I just don’t know what I am going to see in this fight.”
Bernard Hopkins’ chances against Jean Pascal...
“Hopkins has surprised us more times than Freddy from Elm Street. He keeps popping up and surfacing in fights that nobody thought he would ever win. Kelly Pavlik, De La Hoya, and on and on. Who knows what Hopkins can do or when the sand will go to the bottom of his hour glass.”
Thoughts on Pascal’s victory over Chad Dawson…
“I was impressed but I was less than impressed with Chad Dawson. He didn’t seem to want to fight.”
Respecting Juan Manuel Marquez…
“Marquez always finds a way. He’s a warrior. He keeps coming back. Yes, he didn’t look good against Mayweather but he was giving up fifteen, sixteen pounds. With Marquez it’s almost as if he can resurface. He’s playing out his career extremely well. I have a book coming out called ‘The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists’ with Teddy Atlas, and he is rated one half of the greatest brother combination and he keeps that combination going.”
Andre Berto’s path…
“It might be interesting to note that he is on the undercard. If Berto had followed his career path he would be on the main event. I don’t know. Berto is extremely talented, I just don’t understand why he hasn’t gone further.”
End of the line for Rafael Marquez?
“I’m a big fan of his. What he did in his fights with Vazquez, those were thrilling fights. Each of the Marquez brothers gives you a thrilling fight each time out. I hesitate to say he has reached the end of the line, as witnessed by Bernard Hopkins coming back and back and back and back. And others who keep coming back. I just don’t know where the end of the line is anymore. I think they keep erasing the line in the sand and taking it further.”
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
Source: examiner.com
If you are ever looking for a figure in the sport of boxing who will give you a combination of straightforwardness, humor and insight, legendary boxing scribe Bert Sugar will surely satisfy your needs. Now residing in New York, Sugar is known well without the sport because of his knowledge of the boxing’s rich history and the quick wit and passion for which he still delivers his thoughts.
Despite 2010 being relatively modest in terms of meaningful fights and overall excitement for the first three quarters of the year, it should be noted that there are some tremendous matchups on the horizon that are worth a look. I reached out to Sugar to get his thoughts on what lies ahead for the rest of the year as well as his take on some storylines outside of the sport, such as the legal trouble facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. and whether or not we will ever see him in the ring again.Continue reading to see what Sugar had to say about Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao’s bout with Antonio Margarito, Bernard Hopkins’ challenge of Jean Pascal, Amir Khan’s chances towards stardom, a potential Timothy Bradley-Devon Alexander clash and much more…
Last month’s Shane Mosley-Sergio Mora bout…
“He couldn’t fight and Mora wouldn’t fight. It was a two-fall proposition. One couldn’t get off and the other wouldn’t let him. It was just a dreadful fight and the decision was even worse. Mosley won but the judges must have fallen asleep. I know I did. Somebody in the row in front of me told me to stop snoring because I was keeping him awake.”
Mosley’s future…
“I don’t think he’s a pay per view fighter anymore. I do think that at 38, going on 39, he’s come to the end of his career. How he propels is, which he can, will have to be at a lower level.”
Floyd’s situation…
“He’s been called Floyd ‘Maynever’. He may never fight again. He didn’t seem to want to fight Pacquiao and he may never fight again depending on the charges. I cant’ comment on [his legal issues], I’m not a psychiatrist. But he does seem to have problems.”
Margarito’s chances against Pacquiao…
“I don’t know about him. He’s been out a year. He was knocked out by Mosley in his last fight. I don’t know if he has found a new life or a new relationship. I think he’s damaged merchandise both in the eyes of the boxing fans and maybe in his own eyes.”
Amir Khan’s pursuit of greatness…
“Khan seems to be talented when he doesn’t get hit. But when he got hit he got knocked out in half a minute I think. He’s a talented fighter. I think it’s a good test for Khan and if he doesn’t get hit he’s the goods. But he might be this generation’s version of Floyd Patterson. Tap him on the jaw and he goes tap tap on the canvas.”
Timothy Bradley vs. Devon Alexander…
“It’s intriguing. Both of them have great potential. It’s up to one of them to show it in this fight. I don’t know who has an edge. It’s hard to say. I’ve seen them fight in alternating currencies. Between good and great, I just don’t know what I am going to see in this fight.”
Bernard Hopkins’ chances against Jean Pascal...
“Hopkins has surprised us more times than Freddy from Elm Street. He keeps popping up and surfacing in fights that nobody thought he would ever win. Kelly Pavlik, De La Hoya, and on and on. Who knows what Hopkins can do or when the sand will go to the bottom of his hour glass.”
Thoughts on Pascal’s victory over Chad Dawson…
“I was impressed but I was less than impressed with Chad Dawson. He didn’t seem to want to fight.”
Respecting Juan Manuel Marquez…
“Marquez always finds a way. He’s a warrior. He keeps coming back. Yes, he didn’t look good against Mayweather but he was giving up fifteen, sixteen pounds. With Marquez it’s almost as if he can resurface. He’s playing out his career extremely well. I have a book coming out called ‘The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists’ with Teddy Atlas, and he is rated one half of the greatest brother combination and he keeps that combination going.”
Andre Berto’s path…
“It might be interesting to note that he is on the undercard. If Berto had followed his career path he would be on the main event. I don’t know. Berto is extremely talented, I just don’t understand why he hasn’t gone further.”
End of the line for Rafael Marquez?
“I’m a big fan of his. What he did in his fights with Vazquez, those were thrilling fights. Each of the Marquez brothers gives you a thrilling fight each time out. I hesitate to say he has reached the end of the line, as witnessed by Bernard Hopkins coming back and back and back and back. And others who keep coming back. I just don’t know where the end of the line is anymore. I think they keep erasing the line in the sand and taking it further.”
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
Source: examiner.com
I pity the fools abused by their idle, Floyd Mayweather -- Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
I pity the fool who calls himself or herself a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fan.
So there won't be any "Floydiots" or "Maynever" or "Flomos" derogatary terms assigned to those who follow the world's only and world's unhappiest 41-0 fighter.
Actually, I use the term fighter loosely.
He doesn't talk to them, he barks like a junkyard dog and makes about as much sense.
I don't care if you're white, brown, black or yellow in skin tone. I don't care if you are male, female or undecided as of the moment.
If you're a Mayweather follower, you've been getting abused and confused by your so called idle.
Oops, I meant your too idle idol.
Floyd's vacation has been anything but for his followers, for them it's been a tension convention.
Now, I just went on the "Ringside Boxing Show" radio program Sunday night and pointedly mentioned how I think Mayweather can be a good guy, a charming guy and a fan pleaser when he tries to.
I've got no axe, really, to grind against him.
But it's a two way street, the road between the boxing idol and his fan base.
What do Mayweather fans, quickly becoming a Silent Minority, get in return for their devotion to and financial support of a guy who is the world's most gifted boxer?
Answer: Social notes, ethnic and racial slurs and other balderdash and poppycock since he was last in his office easily beating Sugar Shane Mosley on May 1.
I don't think even the most dedicated Mayweather fans wants to hear any more drivel about how blinged out his upcoming wedding to Shanel Jackson will be.
And they don't want to hear "Ms. Jackson," squawking about media coverage being biased against you.
She keeps that line of patter up, she will become known as Lady Haha.
Mayweather fans also don't want to hear garbage mouth 50 Cent selling wolf tickets about how badly his BFF will kick Manny's Pinoy butt.
His fans do want to hear from Floyd, and I mean Floyd Jr. not all over the place Floyd Sr. who actually conceded recently that Pacquaio "can win" over his son.
They want to hear when and who he will fight next and, just like the PWA (Pacquiao Worldwide Army) what they're hoping to hear is that Mayweather will instruct his handlers to buckle down and make the Super Fight for May.
With the random drug testing issue off the table, a fact readily conceded by Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy and by Bob Arum for Pacquiao, that should not be too difficult.
One guy gets $52 million, the other gets $48 million, sign here, guys.
Mayweather's legal issues will get mopped up by his lawyer, Richard Wright. The Baby Mama Drama case is not exactly The People v. Orenthal James Simpson when you take a closer look at it.
His uncle-trainer Roger could very well get another jail stint when his assault case goes to trial Oct. 25 or thereabouts.
But, doesn't Floyd Jr. essentially train himself at this point, anyway? It's simple to bring in another pad man to work the mitts.
Mayweather's legion wants to hear fight talk, Pacquiao chatter, Floyd.
They don't care about UStream or the DJ Whoo Kid Sirius radio show where you got your tuchis kissed with one softball question after another.
DJ Whoo Kid, when it comes to rump kissing interviews, makes Larry King seem like grillmaster Mike Wallace.
You claim to be the greatest active fighter, Floyd.
So who's next?
If I was you I would not name any but Manny.
If you do, the world will think you are deaf and dumb.
I know you're not, pal, but it's proving time.
You do that and we can stop sending sympathy cards to your fans...both of them.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
I pity the fool who calls himself or herself a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fan.
So there won't be any "Floydiots" or "Maynever" or "Flomos" derogatary terms assigned to those who follow the world's only and world's unhappiest 41-0 fighter.
Actually, I use the term fighter loosely.About as loosely as Mayweather's idea of communicating with his fans.
He doesn't talk to them, he barks like a junkyard dog and makes about as much sense.
I don't care if you're white, brown, black or yellow in skin tone. I don't care if you are male, female or undecided as of the moment.
If you're a Mayweather follower, you've been getting abused and confused by your so called idle.
Oops, I meant your too idle idol.
Floyd's vacation has been anything but for his followers, for them it's been a tension convention.
Now, I just went on the "Ringside Boxing Show" radio program Sunday night and pointedly mentioned how I think Mayweather can be a good guy, a charming guy and a fan pleaser when he tries to.
I've got no axe, really, to grind against him.
But it's a two way street, the road between the boxing idol and his fan base.
What do Mayweather fans, quickly becoming a Silent Minority, get in return for their devotion to and financial support of a guy who is the world's most gifted boxer?
Answer: Social notes, ethnic and racial slurs and other balderdash and poppycock since he was last in his office easily beating Sugar Shane Mosley on May 1.
I don't think even the most dedicated Mayweather fans wants to hear any more drivel about how blinged out his upcoming wedding to Shanel Jackson will be.
And they don't want to hear "Ms. Jackson," squawking about media coverage being biased against you.
She keeps that line of patter up, she will become known as Lady Haha.
Mayweather fans also don't want to hear garbage mouth 50 Cent selling wolf tickets about how badly his BFF will kick Manny's Pinoy butt.
His fans do want to hear from Floyd, and I mean Floyd Jr. not all over the place Floyd Sr. who actually conceded recently that Pacquaio "can win" over his son.
They want to hear when and who he will fight next and, just like the PWA (Pacquiao Worldwide Army) what they're hoping to hear is that Mayweather will instruct his handlers to buckle down and make the Super Fight for May.
With the random drug testing issue off the table, a fact readily conceded by Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy and by Bob Arum for Pacquiao, that should not be too difficult.
One guy gets $52 million, the other gets $48 million, sign here, guys.
Mayweather's legal issues will get mopped up by his lawyer, Richard Wright. The Baby Mama Drama case is not exactly The People v. Orenthal James Simpson when you take a closer look at it.
His uncle-trainer Roger could very well get another jail stint when his assault case goes to trial Oct. 25 or thereabouts.
But, doesn't Floyd Jr. essentially train himself at this point, anyway? It's simple to bring in another pad man to work the mitts.
Mayweather's legion wants to hear fight talk, Pacquiao chatter, Floyd.
They don't care about UStream or the DJ Whoo Kid Sirius radio show where you got your tuchis kissed with one softball question after another.
DJ Whoo Kid, when it comes to rump kissing interviews, makes Larry King seem like grillmaster Mike Wallace.
You claim to be the greatest active fighter, Floyd.
So who's next?
If I was you I would not name any but Manny.
If you do, the world will think you are deaf and dumb.
I know you're not, pal, but it's proving time.
You do that and we can stop sending sympathy cards to your fans...both of them.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Could leg injury slow down Pacquiao's training for Margarito -- Examiner
By Rick Rockwell, Examiner.com
Despite Freddie Roach's assurance that Manny Pacquiao is ok, a minor leg injury could impact Manny's rigorous training as his we draw closer to the big fight with Antonio Margarito on November 13th. Manny suffered a minor leg injury 2 weeks ago during a jogging session. According to Roach, Manny's injury isn't serious but it might still be nagging him:
“It might still be hurting, but I’m sure it’s not that serious as some people think,” Roach, Philboxing.com
It might not be physically serious, but it can be serious enough to setback Manny's conditioning progress. It has been reported that Pacquiao's conditioning expert Alex Ariza has publicly commented on Manny's current level of conditioning. He even noted that Manny is "getting there little by little".
In recent camps, Manny's conditioning has never been a concern. Nor has Manny come into camp with an injury or other demands. With his Congressional duties, Manny's training had been pushed back several times. With his leg injury, camp had to be delayed some as well.
In my opinion, there should be some concern whether Manny can reach his elite level of conditioning by November 13th. If anyone can respond to the circumstances and challenges that face the world's pound for pound best boxer, it's Manny.
Source: examiner.com
Despite Freddie Roach's assurance that Manny Pacquiao is ok, a minor leg injury could impact Manny's rigorous training as his we draw closer to the big fight with Antonio Margarito on November 13th. Manny suffered a minor leg injury 2 weeks ago during a jogging session. According to Roach, Manny's injury isn't serious but it might still be nagging him:
“It might still be hurting, but I’m sure it’s not that serious as some people think,” Roach, Philboxing.comIt might not be physically serious, but it can be serious enough to setback Manny's conditioning progress. It has been reported that Pacquiao's conditioning expert Alex Ariza has publicly commented on Manny's current level of conditioning. He even noted that Manny is "getting there little by little". In recent camps, Manny's conditioning has never been a concern. Nor has Manny come into camp with an injury or other demands. With his Congressional duties, Manny's training had been pushed back several times. With his leg injury, camp had to be delayed some as well.
In my opinion, there should be some concern whether Manny can reach his elite level of conditioning by November 13th. If anyone can respond to the circumstances and challenges that face the world's pound for pound best boxer, it's Manny.
Source: examiner.com
Pacquiao not in best shape, says trainer -- Philippine Star
By Abac Cordero, The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - Coach Freddie Roach said Manny Pacquiao is far from his best.
But if it was true, it didn’t show yesterday when the 31-year-old Filipino icon sparred five rounds with Mexican Glen Tapia at the Shape Up Gym in Baguio City.
“He almost went down,” said Team Pacquiao’s Nonoy Neri of the Mexican sparring partner who, according to Roach, may be just as good as Antonio Margarito.
Roach described Tapia as “cocky” and that he did “very, very good” when he sparred four rounds with Pacquiao last Thursday, the first day of sparring for the awaited Nov. 13 showdown.
The other sparring partner, Michael Medina, also did four rounds with Pacquiao last Saturday, and took some solid shots from the pound-for-pound champion that he looked ready to go as well.
A couple more sparring partners are coming in with reigning WBA super-welterweight champ Amir Khan probably on the way to Manila as of presstime, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on standby.
Pacquiao has always done so well in sparring, even when Roach threw taller, bigger partners at him. He had a couple of boxers bloodied in his previous camps, and yesterday he was all over Tapia.
Still, Roach said Pacquiao is far from tip-top shape.
“The direction I want him to move is a little better. The stuff we were doing yesterday came through today. He’s not 100 percent; we still have a long way to go,” Ted Lerner of Ring Magazine quoted Roach as saying.
“We’re just beginning to get the game plan down and get the timing and so forth. He did what I wanted him to do a couple of times. It’s a work in progress,” added Lerner, embedded in the Pacquiao camp.
Roach said if Pacquiao fought today, chances are he’d lose, but that won’t really happen in November.
“If that Manny Pacquiao went into a fight, we’d probably lose. But that’s why we have an eight-week training camp, so we can improve. You can’t expect too much out of a guy who hasn’t been in the ring since last March,” Lerner wrote.
Roach said Pacquiao was at 50 to 60 percent of himself when they arrived in Baguio more than a week ago, and said the Pinoy icon should be close to 90 percent before they fly to Los Angeles later this month.
Roach said Team Pacquiao should be in LA on Oct. 23, a Saturday, so Pacquiao could rest the whole of Sunday before plunging back into training the following day.
Source: philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines - Coach Freddie Roach said Manny Pacquiao is far from his best.
But if it was true, it didn’t show yesterday when the 31-year-old Filipino icon sparred five rounds with Mexican Glen Tapia at the Shape Up Gym in Baguio City.
“He almost went down,” said Team Pacquiao’s Nonoy Neri of the Mexican sparring partner who, according to Roach, may be just as good as Antonio Margarito.Roach described Tapia as “cocky” and that he did “very, very good” when he sparred four rounds with Pacquiao last Thursday, the first day of sparring for the awaited Nov. 13 showdown.
The other sparring partner, Michael Medina, also did four rounds with Pacquiao last Saturday, and took some solid shots from the pound-for-pound champion that he looked ready to go as well.
A couple more sparring partners are coming in with reigning WBA super-welterweight champ Amir Khan probably on the way to Manila as of presstime, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on standby.
Pacquiao has always done so well in sparring, even when Roach threw taller, bigger partners at him. He had a couple of boxers bloodied in his previous camps, and yesterday he was all over Tapia.
Still, Roach said Pacquiao is far from tip-top shape.
“The direction I want him to move is a little better. The stuff we were doing yesterday came through today. He’s not 100 percent; we still have a long way to go,” Ted Lerner of Ring Magazine quoted Roach as saying.
“We’re just beginning to get the game plan down and get the timing and so forth. He did what I wanted him to do a couple of times. It’s a work in progress,” added Lerner, embedded in the Pacquiao camp.
Roach said if Pacquiao fought today, chances are he’d lose, but that won’t really happen in November.
“If that Manny Pacquiao went into a fight, we’d probably lose. But that’s why we have an eight-week training camp, so we can improve. You can’t expect too much out of a guy who hasn’t been in the ring since last March,” Lerner wrote.
Roach said Pacquiao was at 50 to 60 percent of himself when they arrived in Baguio more than a week ago, and said the Pinoy icon should be close to 90 percent before they fly to Los Angeles later this month.
Roach said Team Pacquiao should be in LA on Oct. 23, a Saturday, so Pacquiao could rest the whole of Sunday before plunging back into training the following day.
Source: philstar.com
Amir Khan: “I'm flying out to Philippines tomorrow” -- Examiner
By Chris Robinson, Examiner.com
One of the main concerns that supporters have of their fighters is that the pugilist at hand may lose their focus or hunger after getting a taste of the championship spotlight. They say that while it is extremely hard getting to the top, it is even harder staying there and far too often we have seen champions with great potential have runs of success much shorter than expected.
So it should definitely be noted that Manny Pacquiao doesn’t appear to be leaving any room for error heading into his November 13th bout with Antonio Margarito at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. While the bout with the Tijuana brawler certainly wasn’t welcomed with open arms it definitely seems to be a fight that Pacquiao is giving his full attention after reports of his rigorous sparring sessions.
Pacquiao is currently preparing in Baguio City in the Philippines and has been working with the likes of undefeated New Jersey prospect Glen Tapia and junior middleweight contender Michael Medina, with Vanes Martirosyan and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. likely to join the camp soon. And just when it seemed like the party couldn’t get any livelier, it looks now that Lancashire’s Amir Khan 
will be joining Team Pacquiao in the coming days.
“I’m flying out to Philippines tomorrow,” Khan recently said on his personal Twitter account. “I will be training with Freddie and Alex alongside Manny Pacquiao.”
The 23-year old Khan is definitely a special talent and has shown much perseverance in rebounding from a crushing September 2008 knockout loss at the hands of Breidis Prescott. Khan is in position to defend his WBA junior welterweight belt against power-punching Marcos Maidana at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada and working alongside Pacquiao overseas will be a fine start to his own preparation.
Khan arrived in Los Angeles on September 29th and has been training at the Wild Card Gym for the past week. He will return with Pacquiao and other members of the camp in the third week of October to resume training at the Wild Card before breaking to Texas to be a part of fight week for the Pacquiao-Margarito clash.
While Roach is beyond adamant in stating that Pacquiao is the best fighter in the world, he has never shied away from his belief that Khan is the best fighter at 140 pounds, easily tabbing him to beat the likes of Maidana and fellow champions Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander. It has also been rumored that Khan could be a potential foe to Floyd Mayweather roughly a year from now but everything must come one step at a time and Khan’s next move will be a simple plain flight overseas as he continues to chase his own greatness while helping Pacquiao with his.
Chris Robinson is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
Source: examiner.com
One of the main concerns that supporters have of their fighters is that the pugilist at hand may lose their focus or hunger after getting a taste of the championship spotlight. They say that while it is extremely hard getting to the top, it is even harder staying there and far too often we have seen champions with great potential have runs of success much shorter than expected.
So it should definitely be noted that Manny Pacquiao doesn’t appear to be leaving any room for error heading into his November 13th bout with Antonio Margarito at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. While the bout with the Tijuana brawler certainly wasn’t welcomed with open arms it definitely seems to be a fight that Pacquiao is giving his full attention after reports of his rigorous sparring sessions.
Pacquiao is currently preparing in Baguio City in the Philippines and has been working with the likes of undefeated New Jersey prospect Glen Tapia and junior middleweight contender Michael Medina, with Vanes Martirosyan and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. likely to join the camp soon. And just when it seemed like the party couldn’t get any livelier, it looks now that Lancashire’s Amir Khan will be joining Team Pacquiao in the coming days.“I’m flying out to Philippines tomorrow,” Khan recently said on his personal Twitter account. “I will be training with Freddie and Alex alongside Manny Pacquiao.”
The 23-year old Khan is definitely a special talent and has shown much perseverance in rebounding from a crushing September 2008 knockout loss at the hands of Breidis Prescott. Khan is in position to defend his WBA junior welterweight belt against power-punching Marcos Maidana at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada and working alongside Pacquiao overseas will be a fine start to his own preparation.
Khan arrived in Los Angeles on September 29th and has been training at the Wild Card Gym for the past week. He will return with Pacquiao and other members of the camp in the third week of October to resume training at the Wild Card before breaking to Texas to be a part of fight week for the Pacquiao-Margarito clash.
While Roach is beyond adamant in stating that Pacquiao is the best fighter in the world, he has never shied away from his belief that Khan is the best fighter at 140 pounds, easily tabbing him to beat the likes of Maidana and fellow champions Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander. It has also been rumored that Khan could be a potential foe to Floyd Mayweather roughly a year from now but everything must come one step at a time and Khan’s next move will be a simple plain flight overseas as he continues to chase his own greatness while helping Pacquiao with his.
Chris Robinson is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
Source: examiner.com
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