Amir Khan determined to win back his titles

By Boxing News - 04/03/2012 - Comments

Image: Amir Khan determined to win back his titlesBy John F. McKenna (McJack): Former WBA/IBF light welterweight champion Amir Khan (26-2, 18 KO’s) is determined to win back the titles he lost to new WBA/IBF light welterweight champion Lamont Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO’s) last December in Washington, D.C.

Khan and Peterson will have their rematch at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas on May 19. Amir has been hard at work in the Philippines for a week preparing for his chance to redeem himself after unexpectedly losing his title belts to Peterson. Khan is working with strength and conditioning coach, Alex Ariza and local trainer Marvin Somodia. Trainer Freddie Roach will be heading to the Philippines around the middle of April for the dual purpose of working with Amir and World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s).

Khan stressed that although he will be preparing for the Peterson fight in the Philippines during the same time that Pacquiao will be in training they will not be sparring together as they have done in the past. Amir also said that he and his team will focus on the things he did wrong in his first fight with Peterson. “King Khan” as he is known to his fans has come under fire for not utilizing his skills such as his blazing speed and pin point accurate punching, to his best advantage. Amir also ignored Roach’s admonition of not fighting Peterson off the ropes.

There is also a school of thought which says that Khan was way ahead of himself in focusing on a possible fight in the future with undefeated WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s). In so doing Amir neglected to adequately prepare for Peterson.

Presently Khan is spending two hours in the morning working with Ariza and two hours in the afternoon doing mitt work with Somodia. Somodia, who is an understudy of Roach’s, stays in contact with his mentor by phone every day. Khan has high praise for Somodia’s competency as a trainer.

Khan said that he enjoys training in Baguio City because of the cold weather and high altitude, and then coming back to the heat of Manila to help make the weight for the fight. Amir particularly likes the high altitude training because it aids in conditioning and building stamina.



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