By Terence Dooley
Amir Khan made a recent appearance on Sky Sport's ringside show to discuss Paul McCloskey, who challenges for Amir's WBA light-welterweight title on April 16, and the recent changes to his own training team.
"It is away from the distractions of home and it is great to be out your comfort zone," said Khan when asked why jets out to LA for his training. "You've got the best trainer here, Freddie Roach, the best fighter in Manny Pacquiao and the most famous gym in the world, The Wildcard Gym. I love coming to America and being treated like a normal person. People keep saying that I put a great performance in my last fight [a points win over Rene Marcos Madiana] and they want me to go on and beat [Floyd] Mayweather, I don't think people like him over here."
Amir's win over Rene silenced a lot of critics; the decision to fight EBU boss McCloskey, however, was greeted with derision in some quarters, with fans insisting that Khan should have waited for WBC and WBO boss Tim 'Desert Storm' Bradley, who has been pencilled in as Amir's opponent for a potential July 23 meeting should 'King' Khan turn back the Irishman's challenge. Khan shrugged off the criticism, insisting that his team chooses the opponents and he produces the performances.
"I never take any fight easy or think I'm going to knock the guy out. I train like a challenger and that is what I'm doing for this fight. McCloskey wants to be me and if I'm going to a number one pound-for-pound fighter one day that I have to keep winning. I will fight anyone in the world. I leave it to my team and focus on training. My team picks the opponent. I've fought everyone possible since I was eleven and have done that as a professional. To be known as a great champion you have to beat anyone out there," he revealed.
Alex Ariza is no longer part of Khan's team, the conditioner was sacked last month in controversial circumstances. Alex claimed foul play on the part of Team Khan, alleging that members of the champion's entourage tried to remove documents from his room. Khan's people have insisted that the parting of the ways was purely down to boxing reasons. Michael Vale has taken up conditioning duties.
"Something happened in the last training camp that I wasn't happy about. I changed to a new guy called Michael Vale, Freddie found him for me and Freddie is the boss. The new conditioner is really smart and will take me to that next level," says the 24-year-old titlst.
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