By Terence Dooley
Virgil Hunter takes Amir Khan, 30-3 (19), into a 12-round non-title fight against Chris Algieri, 20-1 (8), at New York's Barclays Centre on Friday night with the unshakeable belief that his boxer will one day glide into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
The 28-year-old joined Hunter after a shocking KO loss to Danny Garcia in 2012; the L.A.-based trainer has added some defensive nous to Khan’s game and believes that he is a few wins away from immortality.
“Amir is already very close to being a Hall of Fame boxer,” stated Hunter when speaking to The Daily Mail. “He's already beaten two-time and three-time world champions in [Zab] Judah, [Paulie] Malignaggi, [Luis] Collazo and Marco Antonio Barrera. He's a two-time world champion himself. There is no time-scale for him to prove he has greatness in him. He has the right speed, he's at the right age, he has the family, the support—all the ingredients he needs. So he's on a journey and I'm happy and proud to have joined him on that journey. He's a gift and a blessing to me.”
He added: “I have this absolute belief in Amir. So it is my mission to make sure those gifts are not squandered.”
Khan’s fight against Algieri is yet another audition for a fight with Floyd Mayweather, who has repeatedly stated that he will box for the last time in September. The 2004 Olypic Silver Medalist’s name has been in the frame a few times; he’s shown good form in his past two fights—decision wins over Luis Collazo and Devon Alexander—and insists he can make a September date this year without suffering during Ramadan.
A stoppage win over the 31-year-old New Yorker—who was dropped six times by Manny Pacquiao in November yet still heard the final bell—might strengthen Khan’s case and give Mayweather something to consider when he selects his next opponent.
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