DeGale thinks Warren would have brought big fights for Khan

By Sean McDaniel: 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist for Britain James DeGale (5-0, 3 KO’s) thinks that World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO’s) would have done well if he had stayed with his promoter Frank Warren. Khan recently left Warren to sign with American promotional company Golden Boy Promotions in an effort to try and become a big star in the larger American market.

Khan is hoping to become a mega star like his hero Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. In an interview with thisislondon, DeGale, 23, said “Maybe he [Khan] could have shown more loyalty after what Frank [Warren] did for him after he was knocked out.” DeGale is speaking about Khan’s vicious 1st round knockout at the hands of Colombian Breidis Prescott in September 2008. Khan was destroyed by Prescott in that fight, knocked down twice and never competitive for even an instant in the fight.

Warren, instead of turning his back on Khan like some people might have done, stood by Khan’s side and built him back up to the point where Amir captured the WBA light welterweight title with a win over Andriy Kotelnik last year. Khan has defended the title once with a 1st round knockout over Dmitry Salita.

DeGale says “People were really down on him [Khan] then but he has got to do what he has got to do. Things were really bad for him when he was knocked out but he has comeback really well, is strong-headed and has a really big heart. “Personally I do not think it was the right decision. His [Khan] fan base in big over here. He is a great fighter and in trying to further his career he thought he should go to Vegas, get out of England, and have the big shows. But if he stayed over here I think Frank would have brought in the big fights. Frank would have delivered.”

I have to agree with DeGale. I think Khan would have done well had he stayed with Warren. The UK is where Khan’s fan base is and he’s already a big star there and would only get bigger as the years go by. Warren would have been able to continue to make good fights for Khan and keep him winning. Now, however, Khan’s future is uncertain.

If Khan faces knockout artist Marcos Maidana in his next fight, there’s a good possibility that Khan will lose again and that could really hurt his career. Khan is young enough to rebound from a second defeat, but it won’t be easy. Another thing: American audiences like to see their fighters mix it go to war to a certain extent.

Khan may not have the chin to fight in this manner, which could prevent him from ever being a huge star in the U.S. Khan likely won’t win over American fans by using the hit and run style that he’s adopted under new trainer Freddie Roach.

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