Khan dumps Roach, Virgil Hunter a leading candidate to replace him

09/14/201609/15/2012 ESB

Khan dumps Roach, Virgil Hunter a leading candidate to replace him By Michael Collins: Well, Amir Khan has finally pulled the trigger and dumped his trainer Freddie Roach after suffering back to back losses in his last two fight. You had to figure someone was going to end up a casualty after Khan’s latest failing and unfortunately for Roach it’s him that’s being dismissed. According to Dan Rafael, Virgil Hunter, the trainer for WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Andre Ward, is a leading candidate to get the job.

Khan said on his twitter yesterday: “Officially I’ve left Freddie Roach. Just spoke to him and had a good professional chat and maybe in the future we (will) work together. Freddie understood why I’m looking at other trainers and wished me all the best for the future.”

It’s somewhat surprising that Roach is being released from his position because he helped Khan capture two world titles at light welterweight. It’s hard to blame Roach for Khan’s loss to Lamont Peterson, a fight in which Khan could have won had he not shoved Peterson so often. Khan had warnings from the referee to stop shoving but he continued to do it and ultimately it cost him two points in deductions.

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Roach: Khan should be kept away from punchers

09/14/201609/14/2012 ESB

By Michael Collins: Freddie Roach hasn’t been officially let go in his job as a trainer for former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (26-3, 18 KO’s), but it’s expected that Khan will be making an announcement any day now about a new trainer to guide him through his next training camp for his upcoming December 15th fight date.

According to Dan Rafael, Khan’s adviser Asif Vali and father Shah Khan asked Roach to dump his popular fighters Manny Pacquiao and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. This was reportedly something that was needed in order for Khan to stay with Roach, as he wants more time with him and the other popular fighters sometimes get in the way.

Roach said this according to Rafael at ESPN “I thought it was unusual that they [Vali and Shah Khan] they would ask and I left it as: ‘Let me think about it.’ Manny is my guy and I’m not going to leave him. I’m not going to leave Chavez Jr.”

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Amir Khan: Has The King Lost His Crown?

09/14/201609/05/2012 ESB

By Mark Klimaszewski – Olympic-silver medallist. Former two-time world champion. Former unified world champion. Arguably a top 15 / top 20 pound-for-pounder (depending on who you ask, of course).

Several “fight-of-the-year” type battles (and some solid names) on his resume. A consistent desire to fight the best. A warrior’s heart. A glaring vulnerability (the much derided ‘punch resistance’, or lack of, that arm chair critics are always so quick to point to) which makes him exciting to watch. Seldom in a dull fight.

On paper, Amir “King” Khan sounds like the type of fighter who should receive unprecedented adulation from fight fans. Yet he attracts more hate than almost any other active fighter today. It is a surprising fact; but a true one. Many people who I speak with about the sweet science all share a desire to see Khan get knocked out again. Many fans on internet message boards and what have you, wish nothing more than to see Amir taste bitter defeat once again and leave the sport for good!

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Khan combing NY looking for a new trainer; rules out Joan Guzman as opponent for December 15th

09/14/201609/04/2012 ESB

By Michael Collins: Former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan says he’s going to be checking New York to try and find a trainer and possibly a mentor to get his sagging career back on track following consecutive losses to Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia. Khan wants a trainer that can fix his defensive flaws to try and turn things around for him before he gets whipped again.

Khan said to the Manchester Evening News “I’ll be going to New York to speak to a few coaches.”

Khan then oddly compared himself to Manny Pacquiao, saying “If we had the defense we should have had we would be the best fighter in the world. That’s the downfall of me and Manny Pacquiao. We’re both offensively the best fighters in the world, but defensively we’re not the best.”

That’s a bit too much coming from Khan. The best in the world? I think Khan is dreaming here. I think he would be a lot better fighter if his defense was tighter, but that wouldn’t save him from getting knocked out by the likes of Danny Garcia and Breidis Prescott. The shots that Khan got hit with in those fights were punches that even the best defensive fighter would get hit with.

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Khan expected to make an update on his next opponent this week; will also talk about trainer situation

09/14/201609/04/2012 ESB

By Marcus Richardson: Amir Khan (26-3, 18 KO’s) says he’ll be giving an update this week about his next fight in December, and will talk also about his search for a new trainer to possibly replace his existing one Freddie Roach. The rumors are that Khan will be fighting unbeaten light welterweight contender Joan Guzman next on December 15th. It’s perhaps not the best choice because HBO might not be interested in taking a risk in putting on a fight between Khan and the 36-year-old Guzman when Guzman has failed three times in the past to make weight in important fights.

Khan said on his twitter page “Updates on my career, opponents and coaches, in next few days. Stay tuned.”

The 25-year-old Khan revealed yesterday that he’s actively looking to get a new trainer and he’s still in the looking stage of the process. Khan has to choose wisely because he’s lost his last two fights and another defeat at this time would be a crushing blow to his career. He’s made excuses for his defeats to Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia, but the excuses will wear thin if he takes yet another loss.

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Khan will make a mistake if he dumps Freddie; Danny Garcia’s strategy wrong for Morales rematch too

09/14/201609/02/2012 ESB

By Paul Strauss: Amir Khan apparently is looking for another trainer, because he doesn’t want to continue sharing Freddie Roach’s time with Manny Pacquiao. On the surface that seems reasonable; although, it presents obvious problems finding a suitable replacement. It’s a safe bet he’s going to find similar circumstances exist with all of the big name trainers.

Some boxing fans, not necessarily Khan’s, claim Freddie can’t teach the defensive skills Amir needs to protect what some fans believe to be his suspect chin. There’s some truth to that, but it isn’t because Freddie doesn’t have the know-how. Rather, it’s because Freddie’s fighters are generally aggressive fighters, and everyone knows a fighter is most vulnerable when he’s punching.

Of course there’s the old adage that a good offense is a good defense. In football, it can simply mean out scoring your opponent, but it can also mean keeping the ball out of the hands of the opposition. They can’t score without the ball. For it to work, the team better have a good line and a punishing running back, or maybe a good short passing game, because if they just throw it down field, hoping to score fast and big, it’s not likely they will keep the ball long enough to accomplish what they want. In fact, the reverse might be true.

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Khan likely to have problems whether Roach stays or goes

09/14/201608/31/2012 ESB

By Michael Collins: Right now there’s a lot of speculation about whether former IBF/WBC light welterweight champion Amir Khan (26-2, 18 KO’s) will be keeping his training Freddie Roach or giving him the boot and finding a new trainer for a fresh start. Khan has lost his last two fights and he can’t afford to lose another bout when he gets back in the ring in December if he wants to remain a television attraction.

Khan has said recently that he wants his trainer Roach to be available to spend more time working with him instead of him having to wait to get Roach in between all the time he spends with his number #1 fighter Manny Pacquiao. It doesn’t look good for Khan in terms of getting his request. If he continues to schedule fights around the same time as Pacquiao, Khan is going to have to accept that he comes second. But nothing likely changes if Khan does decide to dump Roach because he’s not available when he wants him.

Khan’s problems with his chin will continue on whether Roach is the guy or someone else is dug up to train Khan. The issue at hand is Khan’s ability to take hard shots. Roach can’t fix that problem and nor can another trainer. That’s just Khan’s build in limitations. Khan might be a little better if he dumps Roach and finds someone that can teach him to run, hold and use his jab without taking risks. Khan would have to find someone that can teach those skills while at the same time not pushing Khan to mix it up.

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Ricky Hatton needs Khan, Mayweather or Cotto for comeback fight

09/14/201608/28/2012 ESB

By Michael Collins: The rumors persist about former two division world champion Ricky Hatton (45-2, 32 KO’s) staging a comeback in the next couple of months. Hatton looks in incredible shape having burned off a thick layer of flab that covered his once muscular physique and it’s hard to imagine that he’s just taking off the weight just for the sake of living a healthy life. It’s unclear why Hatton would come back at this time, but perhaps he wants to prove to himself that he can put in a better effort than he did in losing to Manny Pacquiao in his last fight in 2009.

Hatton, now 33, probably needs to go for the biggest fight possible if he does decide to make a comeback. It’s too risky for him to take on a guy like Paulie Malignaggi, who won’t bring in the big cash because he lacks the huge star appeal needed to really rake in the cash. Hatton can’t afford to take a lesser fighter because at this point he could lose to almost anybody he fights because of the time he’s been out of the ring. What Hatton needs is someone like Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan or Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A fight against Mayweather would be the ideal situation for Hatton, because it would bring in the most money possible and Mayweather let Hatton hang around for the full 12 rounds instead of trying to drill him into the canvas early.

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Rumour Mill: Freddie Roach Wants Pac-Man Vs. Khan?

09/14/201608/27/2012 ESB

By James Slater – Whilst scanning the web for the latest boxing news, I came across an intriguing little ‘story’ (well, maybe not so little – at least the story won’t be if it turns out to be true!) that suggests ace-trainer Freddie Roach now wants to see his star pupils, Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan, fight one another soon.

According to the piece on The Moment (as picked up by Opposing Views), Roach “Is pushing for the boxer (Khan) to step up from the light-welterweight division to take on Manny Pacquiao. Roach now wants Khan to move up to 147-pounds where he can take on stable-mate and good friend Pacquiao.”

Of course, this ‘story’ could turn out to be no real story at all, and just a load of baloney, but boxing is a weird sport at times and, with both Pac-Man and “King Khan” coming off defeats (albeit a robbery in the eyes of millions in Manny’s case), maybe the fight could happen.

It sure would prove to be a shock if Team-Pacquiao’s forthcoming next opponent announcement told the world he will indeed be fighting Khan.

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In Light Of Peterson’s Retention Of IBF Title, Amir Khan Asks: “What’s The Point Of Drugs Tests”

08/11/2012 ESB

By James Slater: I didn’t think it would take long for former 140-pound champ Amir Khan to give his opinion on the recent decision by the IBF to allow Lamont Peterson to retain his position as their 140-pound world champion. Khan, who was controversially out-pointed by Peterson last December, by a Peterson who was later caught taking PED’s, was never going to be happy that the IBF failed to follow the lead of the WBA and strip the admitted cheat.

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