By Rick Reeno
Tensions are certainly heating up for the American debut of WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan. The probable opponent for May 15, Paulie Malignaggi, is firing back at Khan's trainer Freddie Roach over some of his recent comments that were made on an internet audio show. Both sides have been throwing verbal shots in the press, on audio shows and even through their personal Twitter accounts.
Two weeks ago, Malignaggi appeared on The Boxing Truth audio show and called Roach's entire Wild Card stable into question. Malignaggi has been pretty vocal about his suspicions regarding Roach's star fighter, Manny Pacquiao. In multiple interviews Malignaggi said he was suspicious of Pacquiao possibly using performance enhancing drugs. Because Amir Khan is more or less trained by the same people, the same suspicions crossed Malignaggi's mind. While he continues to be suspicious of Pacquiao, he honestly believes Khan is a clean fighter.
"Amir Khan is in the same stable and that's the only reason that I had my suspicions and I'm not saying he's dirty and he's probably not. It's just, it's going to cross my mind for the simple reason that he's got the same team around him," Malignaggi said.
"Other than that, I don't suspect Amir Khan of anything. I expect him to train cleanly and come on May 15 prepared to fight. But just because he's part of that stable, how is it not going to cross my mind?"
It didn't take long for those comments to make their way to Roach. And when Roach appeared on the Leave it in The Ring audio show, he exploded. Roach said the comments made him so angry that he was considering smacking Malignaggi when he saw him.
"I don't think we really want fight Paulie though cause he's such an assh**e. I used to respect this guy and like him, but he opens his mouth and says Amir is on steroids now because he trains with Freddie Roach. I might smack him when I see him, I might, I'm pissed off about that with him," Roach said.
"I feel like pulling Amir out of the fight and telling him [Malignaggi] go get a payday somewhere else because there's no payday here. You've knocked out five guys in your career, it must've been five girls. If Amir doesn't knock him out I'll be very disappointed."
Malignaggi reached out to BoxingScene.com to send a message. He is confident Amir Khan's performance will disappoint Roach. He also had some select comments aimed at Roach directly.
"When did Freddie Roach become a tough guy? Do I have to watch my back in the streets? Has he been eating his wheaties and drinking his milk every morning? Ever since the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight, he's been threatening people left and right. Me, Roger Mayweather," Malignaggi said.
"Why didn't he challenge Roger Mayweather when they were both there as trainers for De La Hoya-Mayweather? Why did he wait three years after the fact. Did he need to drink his milk every morning to get strong? If he thinks he's going to be disappointed when Amir doesn't knock me out, then he's going to be extra disappointed when I beat Amir's ass from pillar to post on May 15."
