Boxing News: Khan Predicts a “massive year”
March 27th, 2009
By Zubair Ali: Commonwealth lightweight champion Amir Khan is not resting on his laurels after his fifth round technical decision victory over Marco Antonio Barrera. A deep cut suffered by Barrera caused the referee to bring proceedings to a halt. The fight went to the judge’s scorecards where Khan was unanimously declared the winner.
“2009 will be a massive year for me. It will definitely be for a world title fight”.
Khan also highlighted the significance of moving to the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles, training under Freddy Roach.
“I think it helps a lot going to the Wild Card gym in America”, said the 22 year old. “It’s made me realise I need to pace myself instead of rushing in and making mistakes I need to pace myself more, fight with my mind, fight with my brains instead of fighting with my heart sometimes because that can get you into trouble. I’ve done that now so it’s just maintaining that picking the right fights and before you know it a world title shot will come. Win that and then carry on”.
Khan defeated 3 weight world champion Marco Antonio Barrera just two weeks ago, but believes this is only the start.
“Starting the year of by beating Marco Antonio Barrera is great and I’m going to move on to bigger and better fights and 2009 is going to be a big year for me”!
The Olympic silver medallist also revealed it is unlikely he will be sparring Manny Pacquiao ahead of the Filipino’s clash with Ricky Hatton on May 2.
“I have suffered a cut so I do not think I will be sparring with him (Pacquiao),” Khan said. “I need to let the cut heal first. Maybe if it had not been so bad I would probably have sparred with him”.
The cut was caused by an accidental clash of heads during the opening round of Khan’s fight with Marco Antonio Barrera.
Khan added “The wound is getting better but it needs a couple more weeks for it to heal properly”.
He also stated he will remain a neutral spectator when his gym mate Manny Pacquiao challenges Amir’s good friend Ricky Hatton for his IBO light welterweight title.
“I am not going to support anyone”, he said. “I am just going to enjoy myself. I am going to be happy for both of them. What a massive fight it is”.
Tags: 10 Responses to “Boxing News: Khan Predicts a “massive year””
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Mark Bateson, that what boxing writer do they write article’s on boxing forums then boxing’s fans respond!!!its not rocket science you thick git.
“its gunna be a massive year” but then he doesnt call the champion out. shut ur trap khan uv been sayin this since u turned pro. dont wait till all the big names move up. grow some balls put ur money where ur mouth is and fight one of the top guys now
Thats just it, nobody wants to hear Khan say hes going to be a world champ, we want him to man up, call out Marquez and prove hes worth all the hype that surrounds him.
So telling us what Khan says is going to cause this kind of reaction
The article is just telling what Khan said you idiots. Whats the writers opinion got to do with anything?If Khan hasnt mentioned names, how can the writer?
Good to see Khan is learning discipline and tight defence in his boxing.
Before sparring with the likes of Pacquaio, he was far too overconfident, dropping the guard and exposing his chin. A puncher like Prescott took him out in 54 seconds.
A pity that Barerra got cut in the 5th round. He is a genuine world class fighter and Khan should be commended.
Yet, as soon as this fight is over…what does Khan do ? He starts crowing about his prospects…“2009 will be a massive year for me. It will definitely be for a world title fight”…which is not a good idea in boxing.
He should just do the work, keep quiet, and realise his potential without reverting to type and hype.
This was a bit of a wasted article, nobody has mentioned possible opponents, nobody is calling out Marquez, hes just spouting the same guff he has been spouting since turning pro.
Hell, he still thinks he beat Barrera fair and square and we all know thats not the case really.
As much as id like to see it, he isnt going to go after Murray, instead i see him holding off until the Lightweight titles become easy pickings (i.e Marquez stepping up). But with Edwin Valero stepping up from Super Feather with a 24 fight fight 24 KO record and fighting Antonio Pitalua for the vacant WBC title, he may have a tougher challenge on his hands than he’d expect. Granted Valero hasnt beaten any of the best Super Feathers, he has the record of a hungry tough punching fighter who could cause problems.
Khan should fight Murray or some one similar to prescott but not as good. Then if he wins he should fight prescott. He needs to fight people who are not old and past their prime, he need to fight hungry fighters who want it as much as he does. Also khan really needs to learn how to move his head and move quicker. Hes got great hand speed, but you need speed overall to be classed as a fast fighter.
He wants to fight for a world title, is he sure thats wise?????? If so he should avoid marquez totally since he would get a beating if he got in the ring with him.
You say its going to be a big year and he’s got big plans yet you didnt say any of the people he might fight like a rematch with prescott or a fight with marquez. waste of my time reading this article.
so whos he fighting then? world title yeah right!!