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Amir Khan aims to 'shock the world' after brutal victory over Dmitriy Salita
Amir Khan delivered on his promise to unleash greater power when he made a hapless victim of Dmitriy Salita, the mandatory challenger for the British tyro's World Boxing Association light-welterweight belt, in Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena on Saturday.
By Gareth A Davies, Boxing Correspondent
Published: 8:00AM GMT 07 Dec 2009
It was like watching a man being drowned by an inrushing tide of arms and fists. Khan, who turns 23 tomorrow, captivated the capacity crowd in the 76 seconds it took him to floor the Orthdox Jew from Brooklyn three times.
Khan later intimated that he would alternate between fighting in the UK and the US next year, with promoter Frank Warren and trainer Freddie Roach outlining his potential to become a multiple world-title winner in three heavier divisions. "Hopefully we will shock the world when I go to America," said Khan.
He had promised greater power, which he had been working on in training in Hollywood, and duly obliged, catching Salita with a right-left combination seconds into the fight as he bludgeoned the New Yorker to the canvas. Salita admitted afterwards he had "not seen where the punches came from".
Salita regained his feet but was immediately sunk again in the corner, under a flood of flying fists. A devastating left hook put Salita down for the third time, and referee Luis Pabon, of Puerto Rico, had seen enough.
It should be underlined that Salita had not previously fought opponents of the calibre of Khan, yet this was the Briton at his very best. He continues to grow, bringing power to his natural speed and athleticism.
"After that reception, I would love to fight in England again," Khan added."Next year some time I want to go to the United States [to fight]. It's my dream to fight in Las Vegas."
Warren ruled out any prospect of a match-up with Ricky Hatton, and urged Khan's critics to stop pressurising him.
The 22 year-old, who has been booed since being knocked out by Breidis Prescott 15 months ago, claimed he was the victim of racial prejudice by fans ahead of the Salita fight.
"I just wish the people would stop trying to put pressure on him," said Warren. "He's a boxer and let's talk about what he does – boxing. Not about colour or ethnicity."
As for future opponents, Roach suggested José Luis Castillo, the former WBC lightweight champion, or Victor Ortiz, the southpaw light-welterweight from California could be targeted for Khan's debut in the United States. "There are no names yet, no firm plans, but Castillo is a possibility for Amir's US debut. Ricky Hatton knocked him out, but he's still a name in the US," Roach said.
The world-renowned trainer believes Khan's power could take him up the divisions as a world champion, comparing him to Manny Pacquiao.
"I've been with Amir for about a year and he is about halfway there. He's like Manny - they are both machines. They help each other, and they are role models for any boxer," he said. "He has the body to go up to 147lb [welterweight], even 160lb [middleweight] in the long term. I think he has the potential to be a superstar and win multiple titles.
"But it depends how he fills out, and he is still growing. The key thing is to take the speed and power with you and we will see how it goes. A lot of guys can't take the power up with them."
Meanwhile, the superfight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr was set over the weekend and will take place on March 13, with Las Vegas and Dallas the venues under discussion. Both boxers have been guaranteed $25 million (£15.1 million) apiece.
Roach intends to employ Khan's lightning reflexes in sparring with Filipino Pacquiao in preparation to face the unbeaten Mayweather, in a battle which will decides boxing pound-for-pound world champion.
"Amir is a world champion in his own right, but he has the perfect hand speed for Manny Pacquiao in sparring for the Floyd Mayweather fight," Roach said. "Amir will be a massive help with that fight in terms of his style. Defensively, though, we'll spar with someone like Andre Berto."
On the undercard in Newcastle, east Londoner Kevin Mitchell came of age when he out-thought and out-fought Prescott, the Colombian who had inflicted defeat in 54 seconds on Khan 15 months ago. Mitchell made Khan's nemesis look like a one-dimensional slugger over 12 thoughtful, thrilling rounds to win his 30th professional contest.
The victory by unanimous points decision makes Mitchell the No 1 contender for the World Boxing Organisation lightweight title.Mitchell looked like world champion material. Down the line, a prize fight with Khan is not unthinkable.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...iy-Salita.html
Amir Khan delivered on his promise to unleash greater power when he made a hapless victim of Dmitriy Salita, the mandatory challenger for the British tyro's World Boxing Association light-welterweight belt, in Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena on Saturday.
By Gareth A Davies, Boxing Correspondent
Published: 8:00AM GMT 07 Dec 2009
It was like watching a man being drowned by an inrushing tide of arms and fists. Khan, who turns 23 tomorrow, captivated the capacity crowd in the 76 seconds it took him to floor the Orthdox Jew from Brooklyn three times.
Khan later intimated that he would alternate between fighting in the UK and the US next year, with promoter Frank Warren and trainer Freddie Roach outlining his potential to become a multiple world-title winner in three heavier divisions. "Hopefully we will shock the world when I go to America," said Khan.
He had promised greater power, which he had been working on in training in Hollywood, and duly obliged, catching Salita with a right-left combination seconds into the fight as he bludgeoned the New Yorker to the canvas. Salita admitted afterwards he had "not seen where the punches came from".
Salita regained his feet but was immediately sunk again in the corner, under a flood of flying fists. A devastating left hook put Salita down for the third time, and referee Luis Pabon, of Puerto Rico, had seen enough.
It should be underlined that Salita had not previously fought opponents of the calibre of Khan, yet this was the Briton at his very best. He continues to grow, bringing power to his natural speed and athleticism.
"After that reception, I would love to fight in England again," Khan added."Next year some time I want to go to the United States [to fight]. It's my dream to fight in Las Vegas."
Warren ruled out any prospect of a match-up with Ricky Hatton, and urged Khan's critics to stop pressurising him.
The 22 year-old, who has been booed since being knocked out by Breidis Prescott 15 months ago, claimed he was the victim of racial prejudice by fans ahead of the Salita fight.
"I just wish the people would stop trying to put pressure on him," said Warren. "He's a boxer and let's talk about what he does – boxing. Not about colour or ethnicity."
As for future opponents, Roach suggested José Luis Castillo, the former WBC lightweight champion, or Victor Ortiz, the southpaw light-welterweight from California could be targeted for Khan's debut in the United States. "There are no names yet, no firm plans, but Castillo is a possibility for Amir's US debut. Ricky Hatton knocked him out, but he's still a name in the US," Roach said.
The world-renowned trainer believes Khan's power could take him up the divisions as a world champion, comparing him to Manny Pacquiao.
"I've been with Amir for about a year and he is about halfway there. He's like Manny - they are both machines. They help each other, and they are role models for any boxer," he said. "He has the body to go up to 147lb [welterweight], even 160lb [middleweight] in the long term. I think he has the potential to be a superstar and win multiple titles.
"But it depends how he fills out, and he is still growing. The key thing is to take the speed and power with you and we will see how it goes. A lot of guys can't take the power up with them."
Meanwhile, the superfight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr was set over the weekend and will take place on March 13, with Las Vegas and Dallas the venues under discussion. Both boxers have been guaranteed $25 million (£15.1 million) apiece.
Roach intends to employ Khan's lightning reflexes in sparring with Filipino Pacquiao in preparation to face the unbeaten Mayweather, in a battle which will decides boxing pound-for-pound world champion.
"Amir is a world champion in his own right, but he has the perfect hand speed for Manny Pacquiao in sparring for the Floyd Mayweather fight," Roach said. "Amir will be a massive help with that fight in terms of his style. Defensively, though, we'll spar with someone like Andre Berto."
On the undercard in Newcastle, east Londoner Kevin Mitchell came of age when he out-thought and out-fought Prescott, the Colombian who had inflicted defeat in 54 seconds on Khan 15 months ago. Mitchell made Khan's nemesis look like a one-dimensional slugger over 12 thoughtful, thrilling rounds to win his 30th professional contest.
The victory by unanimous points decision makes Mitchell the No 1 contender for the World Boxing Organisation lightweight title.Mitchell looked like world champion material. Down the line, a prize fight with Khan is not unthinkable.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...iy-Salita.html
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