Skys: Amir Khan report from LA

After another eventful Prizefighter when Michael Lomax came through some adversity and rode a little semi-final luck to land the £25,000 cash prize, I've swapped the spit and sawdust of the East End's York Hall for the sun and glamour of America's West Coast.
Los Angeles - the land where dreams are made, and, of course, of Hollywood, the hot-spot if you crave fame and fortune.
LA is also the chosen new training hotbed for one of the biggest recovery missions in modern boxing.
This is where Amir Khan - for a while, seemingly the chosen one - is undertaking the re-building process and it's fascinating to see.
I've been with Amir almost 24/7 and I can report that, while the mood and feeling among the camp is an extremely positive one, there are underlying tones of anger and resentment as to why he's been virtually written off by so many boxing judges.
While most members of the public and top fighters like Ricky Hatton, David Haye and former king Naseem Hamed have, according to Amir, been hugely supportive, there have been vitriolic attacks from certain members of the pugilistic world.
Defiant

Khan's very much like a wounded animal and away from the cameras, he really opened up and spat out defiance.
But it seems to me that the 54-second devastation from the furious fists of Breidis Prescott has turned our former boy wonder into a rounded man.
He could have hidden away after the horror night, but it was Amir's decision to do the immediate post-fight interview, something his manager Asif Vali didn't ask for.
It was Amir who was back in his gym doing more press work the very morning after; it was Amir who made a list of changes that he wanted to implement; it was Amir who ultimately wanted former trainer Jorge Rubio out; and it was Amir who chose Freddie Roach as his new right-hand man.
He's as amiable and friendly as ever, but I'm noticing a new steely resolve to Khan. He craves success more than anything in the world. He has a very tight support network, but it is Amir who is calling the shots.
Khan wanted to be just another figure in the competitive and fiery Wildcard gym, and that's what he is - among all levels of fighter.
Intelligent

Walking down Hollywood Boulevard and seeing all the famous names has made Amir even more desperate to become a boxing star. He has assembled an interesting cast of back room characters for a new look Team Khan.

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Freddie Roach is an intelligent choice. The legendary trainer believes in Khan. He rates him extremely highly, says he is one of the fastest fighters he's seen, and believes he has the talent and strength to return and become a major success.
Whether he's right or not remains to be seen, but he's a wise old fox who surely wouldn't be bothering with Khan if he thought he was simply a chinny liability.
Roach lives and breathes boxing and he told me he'd rate it as one of his big triumphs if he can turn Khan into a serious world champion, especially with the sceptics out there.
He is working on Khan's defence, head movement, old amateur traits and says he will tighten him up, while not taking away Khan's natural aggression. Roach wants to calm Khan down so he doesn't go all guns blazing for the knockout, but instead takes his time and hunts his opponent down. He is big on Khan's jab.
Roach is immensely experienced, having learnt from the great Eddie Futch, and has trained almost all of the modern greats,from James Toney to the Klitschko's to Oscar De La Hoya to Bernard Hopkins, and of course Manny Pacquiao.
Rigorous

It's the Filipino superstar who is perhaps the most motivational part of the camp. Khan has become inspired by the best pound for pound fighter in the world. After all, Pacquiao was stopped a couple of times early in his career and is now a 4 weight world champion, who is drilling himself into shape for the Herculean task of overturning the much bigger De La Hoya.

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Khan and Pacquiao have been running the Hollywood hills together at the crack of dawn, undergoing a rigorous fitness regime side by side, and are even starting to spar, where Amir is more than holding his own.
Pacquiao is another believer. He told me he has never seen a lightweight as fast as Khan and is convinced Amir will win titles. Incidentally, Roach is so confident that his gym star will upset all the odds against The Golden Boy, that he believes December 6th will be Pacquaio and the gym's greatest ever victory.
The one snag to the double delight on Sky Box Office on December 6 is that Roach can't be in Khan's corner. They are annoyed about that, but Freddie is sending his assistant Jesse Arevalo to England and will be constantly on the phone.
Alex Arizo is the new conditioner who has been working on explosive, ballistic training with Khan to harden the inner core.
Alex is also changing the Khan body. One thing I noticed with Khan earlier in the year is how thin his legs were. Amir was always going on about his 'chicken legs'. Well they are beefing up. They look stronger and thicker, and if there is a weakness taking shots, this might help his cause in tricky times ahead.
His upper body is not as huge; they have straightened him up and say he will be far more flexible. The one lady on the team is the highly dedicated Teri Tom, Amir's dietician. She has been measuring his body fat from bitterly early every morning.
His family are lovely and they are all so close. Amir's dad, Shah, is an ever-present in the Hollywood apartment and has even donned the chef's hat to prepare Amir's meals. His mum Falleck's over with his little sister Mariyah at the moment and brother Haroon arrives this weekend.
Belief

We've been watching highly intensive sparring sessions - they always seem harder over here. Tough rounds with unbeaten Irishman Dean Byrne should get Amir well prepared for his comeback opponent - another Irish born American in Oisin ***an.
What is really apparent is that the Americans seem to believe in Khan; if anything, more than the Brits. He's showing a superb attitude, has dealt with our crew in exemplary fashion and is a great guy. It would be sad if this story doesn't really go places.
Yes, there are so many questions to be answered. Is his defence good enough to reach the top level? Will the chin crack again? And mentally, how will he be with those Prescott demons?
But the word and feeling from LA is a strong and positive one. Khan is showing heart, character and immense dedication for the fight-back.
Give him a chance - there are few nicer British sportsmen.
Finally, we were grabbing a slice of pizza the other night - and quite a surreal thing happened.
Who walks in to the restaurant...Tyson - yes, Mike Tyson - but not looking quite so Iron Mike. I think he enjoys a pizza or ten these days! He asked us to wish Ricky Hatton well - and we will. For Ricky is our next stop on this West Coast boxing tour.
Thanks for the LA memories Manny, Freddie, Amir - and Mike! Now Viva Las Vegas!


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