By Kevin Abraham: Today several reputable sources have stated British WBA Light-Welterweight Champion Amir Khan will no longer be working with leading strength and conditioning Coach Alex Ariza; the boxing world awaits a full explanation… In various interviews, notably post the Maidana fight, Khan accredited Ariza for the input he gave in developing Khan’s durability. But yet again Khan is making a significant alteration in his camp, assuming he will replace Ariza?

Whilst Khan has a rare talent for the sport; he is overly dependent on others to manage his career and to act in his best interests – alike to the majority of boxers! Some boxers learn and attain the level of business acumen to enhace their market value and personal wealth; Floyd Mayweather a prime example. I have always argued Amir Khan is a Cash Cow first and boxer second; but boxing is a business first and sport second –Khans various management have acted accordingly. Team Khan (consisting of his farther, uncle and manager Asif Vali) have all been present in the background of Khan’s promoters to push him up the hill to millionaire and champion.

To examine the implications of Ariza’s departure; will Khan’s in future preparation suffer? Can Freddie Roach find an adequate replacement? Will Khan adjust to develop further with the replacement? These are all unknown answers but should be considered by Team Khan. Ariza has multiple clients and can still earn substantial amounts working with Bob Arums boxers Pacquiao and Chavez Jr. But can Team Khan remain in the boxing business without Amir Khan? To interpret the scenarios please openly consider my rationale given perceptions, insight, business analysis and passion for Boxing.

Khan got unexpectedly floored in an 2005 amateur bout at Light-Welterweight post his Olympic success; at this stage his ‘management’ were trying to attain the maximum income for Khan’s services from the Amateur Boxing Association UK who apparently offered him £70,000 per year plus expenses for training and travel to develop so he could succeed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Khan instead signed with Frank Warren; the influences being Khan’s uncle and farther pursuing financial gain rather than allowing him to postpone the professional ranks and progress to become possibly the best amateur boxer in British history. Along Khan’s journey to the present has seen a handsome Reebok endorsement contract; amass public attention; inappropriate physical changes that were detrimental to his conditioning as a boxer i.e. being too top heavy with weak legs struggling to make lightweight which did have some contribution to the development of poor defence. The matchmaking against blown up featherweights and the upset of the year freshly delivered in dramatic style by Breidis Prescott from Columbia urged the media to further criticise. Frank Warren proved his worth though by bringing Khan back so quickly and it’s unfortunate a strategic partnership with team Khan was not agreed, but why? Money.

Disturbances from Team Khan prevented effective matchmaking against British Lightweight champions, or did they price themselves out? I think purse pricing excused have gone on too long now; Team Khan is simply beyond greedy and I strongly believe a degree of Pakistani cultural influences is part of the cause. The need to control your son and derive monetary gain from him at his expense is a somewhat of a norm that needs adjusting. Team Khan should aim to satisfy Amir Khan’s boxing needs rather than pursue maximum purse at all expenses. Boxing fans aren’t satisfied, Oliver Harrison got sacked because of problems with Team Khan; and British TV broadcasters documented difficulties in negotiating with Team Khan. Boxing fans have been upset and many were happy to see Khan knocked out – which turned out to be great because he felt reality and made some positive changes.

Last year Team Khan caused a stir with the ABA and media by demanding Haroon Khan to be in the England squad for the Commonwealth games 2010. Their argument for Haroon Khan’s England call wasn’t seriously leveraged and their wishes were the shameful result of ‘self-entitlement’ given Amir Khan’s success. Whilst Haroon Khan’s Commonwealth success proves England’s loss and embarrassment, had Team Khan not been so disruptive Haroon Khan could have got an England call up at some point; note he did loose post his ABA success to amateurs above him in the rankings…
Whilst I’m sure Frank Warren would agree with me; Team Khan is becoming a disgrace to boxing by preventing desirable fights, making demands with no experience but just the leverage of being Amir Khan’s relative. Whilst it is good to retain family wealth the expense of dissatisfaction must stop; competitive rivalry in boxing is needed to a decent degree, we the fans should not have our intelligence insulted. The Maidana fight was a great match up and saw good money but Khan took some punishment and Team Khan is now risk averse again! Offering Paul McCloskey double pay for a fight that is 10 times the magnitude (derive from increased gate revenue, sponsorships, endorsements and PPV broadcasting) is an insult. Boxing needs change; alike to Ray Hatton’s foolishness with Ricky Hatton’s ex-trainer Billy Graham resulted in a £1.4million payout. Naseem Hamed’s brothers tried to manage him and contributed to the Princes demise in pursuit for financial gain. Media documents from candidates to fight Khan all share a common point; his negotiation team are insulting. Frank Warren recently said to effectively promote you need to pay well and invest in fighters. We didn’t see Hatton vs. Witter or many others great match ups.

Whilst many relatives contribute to ones success in business and in sport; this articles notions are a reflection on some of the problems in boxing. Reform is needed to ensure competitive rivalry and fairness in the sport. Boxing is a business but why hasn’t Breidis Prescott had a Title Shot? Yes it’s a risky fight for his would be opponent but he is marketable since he conquered Khan. I conclude as a passionate fan of boxing, not only as a sport but as a means for a deprived male to earn a decent living, we need to see change rather than inequality of contenders widen. Eventually some governing bodies will cease to exist and regulatory laws will be enforced. As for Alex Ariza we will have to wait and hear…

Until then expect management to take liberties in the sport we love!
Kevin Abraham