by James Slater – Unbeaten super-prospect Amir Khan has responded to the criticism he has been forced to undergo in the days following his tougher-then-expected fight with Michael Gomez. In the fight which took place last month, 21-year-old Khan was hurt more than once and he was also floored. This prompted a number of experts to proclaim Khan is not yet the finished article as a fighter. Some went even further and said he never will be..
Answering back, Khan spoke with Sky Sports recently. Proud of the fact he is still unbeaten and has shown heart in his career, the former Olympic silver medallist said the critics are simply a part of boxing.
Speaking on how’s he’s been feeling since the Gomez war, the 21-year-old said he is in great condition, with no ill effects suffered from the quite brutal fight.
“Mentally and physically I’ve been OK,” Khan told Sky Sports. “I’ve had no problems, no injuries, and I’m in top condition. I’m still fit and I’m going to get back into training next week but there won’t be much to do. My weight is OK – I haven’t put too much on so the way things are going it should be great. I am still proving a lot of people wrong the way I’m going. A lot of people want to see me lose but I’m not down until I’m counted out. I could be knocked down ten times but I’ll never give up. That Gomez is a good fighter. He’s strong, he’s fit and I can’t take that away from him. But the critics are part of boxing.”
Despite the tough time Khan had with Manchester’s Gomez – a fighter thought to have been pretty much a spent force – the lightweight star still believes he is a future world champion. His promoter Frank Warren agrees, saying he feels Khan could beat world champion Nate Campbell right now, but that it is better to wait as the young fighter continues to build as a pro.
“I think I’m ready now, and Frank agrees I can win one [a world title] now,” Khan continued. “If he thinks I can beat the world champion now then that says it all. He just thinks I should chill out a bit and take my time. It’s true to go one step at a time, but I’m one just of those guys who is excited and raring to go. I just want to go for the big fights because I know I can win the big fights. If I didn’t think I was going to win against the world champions I wouldn’t be saying all of this. I’ve got a lot of time left. I do want it this year, but I’m still young and you don’t get many 21 or 22-year-old world champions.”
Most would agree Khan needs a few more fights before he is ready to go for world honours. The next phase in the likeable prospect’s career comes on September 6th, at The MEN Arena, Manchester – Khan’s first fight at the venue. His opponent is yet to be announced, but the learning curve will continue for the Commonwealth lightweight champion.