Freddie Roach will collect the 2008 Boxing Writers of America Association award for Trainer of the Year this Friday night in New York before heading to Bolton with Amir Khan. Roach, regarded as the world’s number one boxing trainer, recently masterminded Manny Pacquaio’s devastating two-round victory over Ricky Hatton and is preparing Khan to win his first world title. Bolton star Khan takes on Ukrainian hardman Andreas Kotelnik at London’s O2 Arena on June 27..
Khan has been under Roach’s guidance since the loss to Breidis Prescott last September, and has racked up two impressive wins over Oisin Fagan and the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera.
The 22-year-old is delighted for his mentor.
He said, “Freddie is a great man and a great trainer and I am so happy for him to get the award,”
“He is well respected throughout the sport and the result of his work can be seen when the boxers fight,”
“I’ve been working hard with Freddie in the gym for nearly eigh weeks now and he feels that I am ready for the fight,”
“We have been working on the plan to beat Kotelnik and as long as I follow instructions then I know I will win,”
“Freddie will have another world champion under his belt!”
Alex Arthur warns Amir Khan
Former WBO World Super-Featherweight Champion Alex Arthur has warned Amir Khan that he’s in for a tough night’s work against Andreas Kotelnik – and he’s speaking from first-hand experience. Khan takes on WBA World Light-Welterweight champion Kotelnik at the O2 Arena, London, on June 27. And Arthur knows just how good the Ukrainian is after losing to him on points as an amateur back in 1998 – the same year he struck gold at the Commonwealth Games.
“Kotelnik was really good back then, and it was obvious that if he did turn professional then he was going to go all the way,” said Arthur.
“He had that real Eastern European amateur style and was a very difficult man to beat, but he’s proved how good he is by going on to win a world title.
“The moment our fight started I realised that he was something special, and he’s still very slick, very slippery and I’m sure he’ll be a real handful at the O2.
“Not everyone had heard of Kotelnik before he was announced as Khan’s opponent, but he shouldn’t be overlooked. Believe me, he’s a very dangerous fighter.”
But Arthur, who returns to action on June 19 in Glasgow, believes that Khan can get the better of Kotelnik.
“Amir is going to have to be at his best,” said Arthur, who is now aiming to win a second world title at lightweight.
“He’s got to use his angles, keep out of trouble and utilise his speed to dictate the fight on his own terms.
“I believe that he can do it and I’ll be rooting for him because Britain needs more world champions.
“I’ve been a big admirer of Amir ever since he won his silver medal at the Olympic Games, and he’s great for the sport.
“I also know that Amir is in great hands because I’ve worked with Freddie Roach before and he is one of the best, if not the best, trainers in the world.”
Man City Murray ready for Champions League
British Champion John Murray believes he’s ready to take on the biggest and best names in the lightweight division and he’s willing to do so on away ground if necessary. Murray makes the second defence of his British title at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan this Saturday (June 13th) knowing that a win could see him travel to Houston, Texas for a showdown with marquee U.S. name Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz later in the summer.
Murray’s clash with Lawton headlines Hennessy Sports “Rule Britannia” event which is live on ITV4 from 8pm on Saturday. However just like his beloved Manchester City the undefeated Murray has plans beyond British domination and says he would relish a fight with Diaz.
“I’m not looking beyond Saturday night and Scott Lawton but I know there has been talks’ regarding a fight with Diaz and I’d have that fight in a heartbeat,” revealed Murray. “I’m not really going to think about it until after this weekend because I’m focusing completely on the job at hand but the talk of a Diaz fight has only made me more determined to impress on Saturday.”
Lawton comes into this weekend’s clash as the underdog but he’s coming off a career best run that has seen him lift the English title so Murray knows what he’s up against. “Scott Lawton is a potential banana skin for me and I’m well aware of that,” said the Champion.
“Some people might be writing him off but I certainly won’t be, he’s in the best form of his career right now and his confidence will be sky high coming into this. We’ve sparred together before so I know just how good he is and I know I’m going to have to be at my very best on Saturday.”
Murray’s promoter Mick Hennessy confirmed that talks have taken place regarding a matchup with Diaz in the U.S. “I’ve spoken with Golden Boy who promote Diaz and they are very interested in the fight along with U.S. TV,” confirmed Hennessy.
“John needs to get Scott Lawton out of the way first this weekend and that’s certainly not going to be easy but negotiations regarding Diaz can potentially take place after that. The Diaz fight is one I’d love to make for John because it would be a great opportunity for him to crack the U.S. in a big way.
“What a fight that would be, they call Diaz the “Baby Bull” because of his style and Murray is such an exciting fighter himself as well. A matchup like that has fight of the year written all over it and I’m confident that when John’s at the top of his game he’s truly a World class fighter and with his strength and determination he’s capable of beating any one out there.”
Former Light Welterweight World Champion Paulie Malignaggi is also believed to be in the frame for a fight with Diaz but it’s understood that there has been difficulties in agreeing a catch weight for that particular matchup.
Whatever the outcome of negotiations Murray realises just how important Saturday night’s fight is to his future plans. “I can’t afford any slip ups against Lawton because there’s so much at stake right now. There are quite a few fights out there for me like a potential matchup with Diaz and then there’s domestic business to take care of with Jon Thaxton for the Lonsdale belt but all those will be out the window unless I win this weekend.”
The chief support on Saturday night features a Battle of Champions as Central Area Lightweight Champ Nadeem Siddique takes on reigning Southern Area Welterweight titleholder Tom Glover over 10 rounds.
The card also features a host of exciting prospects including Canadian based puncher, Andrew Singh Kooner, rising featherweight star Steve “Super Bad” Barnes, welterweight Phill Fury and the pro debuts of Bobby “Boogaloo” Ward, the last Englishman to defeat Amir Khan and Sheffield heavyweight, Richard Towers.
Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.