Khan: Roach told me he will make me one of the best P4P by the age of 24

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by Darni187, May 5, 2009.


  1. Darni187

    Darni187 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ricky Hatton may have failed in quite spectacular fashion when it came to his quest to reach the upper echelon of boxing's pound-for-pound ratings, but another British boxer in Amir Khan now has his sights set on entering the illustrious rankings, and soon..

    Facing Andriy Kotelnik for the Ukrainian's WBA 140-pound title in June, Khan says the win he is sure he will get will lead him to bigger and better things. The former Olympian, 22, also says his new trainer, Freddie Roach, will turn him into a pound-for-pound fighter by the time he is 24 years of age.

    Ambition is not something that is at all lacking when it comes to the man who rebuilt his Bredis Prescott-ruined career by defeating the once great Marco Antonio Barrera last time out. And Khan says all credit for his improvement must go to Roach and his famous Wild Card gym.

    "I think I have improved by a big 20-percent probably over the last 12 months," Khan told Reuters. "I have especially improved my defence and my patience. Now I am staying nice and cool in fights, watching everything that is going on and following the right shots at the right time.

    "I've got the best team around me. I've got Freddie Roach and The Wild Card gym. I think I've done my time now and I'm going to win this fight (against Kotelnik in June) hopefully and it will take me to bigger and better things. Freddie said to me that within two years, when I hit my peak at 24, he will have made me a machine. I will be a machine where no-one will touch me and I will be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world."

    These are big words from Khan, without a doubt. However, after the predictions he has been making just recently, and after he's been proven to have been spot on with them, it would be foolish to dismiss anything Freddie Roach says will happen ever again. And if Roach - one of the finest boxing trainers of his era without question - says Khan will be moulded into a pound-for-pound entrant, then I'm not going to argue with him.

    The next huge test for Khan - very possibly the biggest test of his career thus far - comes next month against fellow former Olympian Kotelnik.

    Khan concedes the fact that Kotelnik is a great fighter, but he says his speed will be too much for the 31-year-old.

    "It's going to be a tough fight for me, and it's not going to be as easy for me as the bookies have it," Khan said. "When someone has got a world title, he wants to keep hold of that. He's [Kotelnik] got great defence. He's very accurate and he controls his shots. Plus his fitness is very good."

    When asked what will beat Kotelnik, Khan spoke of his best asset in the ring:

    "My speed," he said. "I don't think he will have faced or sparred with anyone as fast as me."

    Barrera certainly had big problems with Khan's speed, but will Kotelnik?


    From: ESB News.
     
  2. kerrminator

    kerrminator Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Im not sure Roach will still be able to train fighters in a couple of years. His illness seems to be getting very bad now and the difference between the Roach of a couple of years ago and the roach of today is very noticable. I hope im wrong but I think big Moorer is going to have to start doing most of the physical work soon.
     
  3. Darni187

    Darni187 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    If Roach can help perfect Khan's counter punching style in 2 years with tight defence, Khan can use his speed just like Manny and Floyd Jr who i think Khan is faster than both with great effect.
     
  4. Cobbler

    Cobbler Shoemaker To The Stars Full Member

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    In a couple of years we can look forward to an All-British clash at Wembley Stadium for the P4P Championship belt between Amir Khan and Carl Froch. Huge!
     
  5. TheUzi

    TheUzi MISSION INCOMPLETE Full Member

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    He was probably drunk at the time Amir.
     
  6. radab

    radab Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Khan's potential P4P in every sense other than that chin. Every time he steps in the ring defeat looms every second of every round.

    As such, and therefore, if he becomes a P4P elite, it'll be one of the most awesome achievements in all of boxing
     
  7. achillesthegreat

    achillesthegreat FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE Full Member

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    It's getting to the stage that if Freddie says it, just agree with it.
     
  8. noonan

    noonan Guest

    I will have £100 pound with anyone that Khan is NOT P4P top five when hes 24......... anybody?
     
  9. Smith

    Smith Monzon-like Full Member

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    He also said MMA reject Arlovski will be a superb boxer and would KO Fedor.

    Now I don't follow MMA much at all now, but even a stevie wonder wouldn't make such a comment.
     
  10. Darni187

    Darni187 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    What about top 10 P4P? :D
     
  11. onourway

    onourway Haye KTFO1 Wlad Full Member

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    Khan will never mix it at the top.

    In 2 rounds between two P4P fighters the other day, Hatton got floored 3 times and Pac got hit with a big right which made him wobble all over the place......if any of the punches had hit Khan, he would have been knocked out.
     
  12. PaddyD1983

    PaddyD1983 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    :yep
     
  13. Darni187

    Darni187 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Most fighters around that weight would get KO if they walked on to them shots with no defence, the aim of boxing is to hit and not be hit, something I think Hatton forgot about on the night.
     
  14. HairyHighlander

    HairyHighlander BASS !! HOWLOWCANUGO ?? Full Member

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    All the best to him

    :good
     
  15. Darni187

    Darni187 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I just hope Froch, Haye, and Khan do our country proud, after the Hatton loss the yanks are ripping us to bits on the Gen forum, pissing me right off.