 Print this page |
Exclusive: Khan hits back at Froch over 'boring' jibe
|
Amir Khan has hit back at Carl Froch after being labelled 'boring' by his fellow British fighter.
Khan, the WBC light-welterweight champion, takes on highly-rated Dmitry Salita in Newcastle on 5 December in the first defence of the world title he won against Andreas Kotelnik.
It was Khan's victory over Kotelnik in July that prompted Nottingham super middleweight Froch to lash out at the Bolton brawler, saying: "Beating Kotelnik was no great feat and it doesn't make me want to go and watch him."
But former Olympic silver medallist Khan told Orange he intends tol put on a show in his pre-Christmas bout on Tyneside.
"As a fighter - it doesn't matter how good you are - you will always have your critics and I have mine," said Khan, "but I'll show I'm anything but boring. I'm going to be explosive against Salita and it certainly won't last the distance. It will give the fans something exciting to watch before Christmas - an early Christmas present if you like."
|
His opponent Salita, Ukrainian-born but based in New York, has earned rave reviews in some quarters for his 30 wins and one draw in his 31 professional fights to date.
However, 22-year-old Khan has warned him to be prepared to be outclassed when he travels across the Atlantic.
"Salita's a really good fighter and a really good guy and, with his record, I'm sure he's really confident going into our fight but he's never come up against a guy of my calibre and he'll get a real shock in Newcastle," said Khan.
The fight is novel for the fact that it sees the first world title bout in history between an orthodox Jew and a devout Muslim.
Khan, who made his pilgrimage to Mecca earlier this year, insisted that religion would not play a part, however, when the pair stepped into the ring.
"A lot of people have made out this is a battle of religions but it doesn't matter if he's Jewish, Christian, atheist, whatever," he said. "Of course, religion is important to us and I think it's made us dedicated fighters but I don't think people will be worrying whether we're Muslim or Jewish once we're in the ring."
With home advantage and as the current light-welterweight champion, Khan, who has once again been preparing with Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, has the most to lose from the December showdown.
However, the threat of defeat does not bother the Bolton brawler.
"I've lost before," he said in reference to last year's surprise defeat to Breidis Prescott, "and that was the best thing that could ever have happened for my career. A lot of people said that I was dead and buried, a spent force if you like, but I think I've proved everyone wrong.
|
"I've worked the hardest I've ever done in my entire life to bounce back from that and I think I'm a better fighter and a better man for it. Just look at David Haye, who did the same thing.
After the defeat to Carl Thompson, it looked to be over for him but he's been a world champion and has his sights on the heavyweight world title and I'm sure he'll do it."
As for the pressure of being a world champion himself, Khan added: "There's always pressure in the ring so that doesn't bother me. Of course, I don't want to lose my world title but I don't envisage that happening. I'm pretty relaxed and feel in great shape before the fight and there's time for me to get in even better shape."
At 22, Khan still appears to have a lengthy career in the ring, health permitting. His ambition is to emulate Joe Calzaghe as a long-term world champion and believes he is at least two years off from hitting his peak.
"Freddie and Manny both tell me I'm not the finished article yet," he said, "and I agree with them. I only have to look how far I've come and how much I've improved in the last year to see that. If I have another two years like that, I should be able to blow most people away."
The majority of the build-up to the fight will be spent in America at trainer Roach's Los Angeles gym. Khan has set up home in a complex where rappers P Diddy and Snoop Doggy Dog are also residents.
The musical duo have become fans and friends of the fighter much to his surprise and bemusement.
"They're both good guys and they've become good supporters," said Khan, "which is a bit bizarre as I'm just a young man from Bolton and they're absolute superstars."
Khan has already made a name for himself in the United States and could become even hotter property there should he beat his New York opponent come December.
He readily admits that America could eventually become home. Khan has been quoted in the last fortnight as saying he feels some bitterness from the British public and his fellow fighters over his success, while in America he feels more loved.
However, there are no immediate plans to quit the UK altogether. "All I said was that the American public are better at applauding you for what you've achieved while in Britain we are quick to knock down people that are successful," said Khan. "I'll probably stay put in Britain as I love the place and the people, and it's my home. But in the end I'll have to do what's best for my career."
