McCloskey: Khan Has Improved, But He's Very Beatable

By Mark Vester

European junior welterweight champion Paul McCloskey is still being considered to face WBA champ Amir Khan on April 16 in England. His managerial advisor and father-in-law, Francie McNicholl and Matchroom Promotions are still talking to Khan and Golden Boy Promotions. The two sides are far apart on the money, said Matchroom Promotions head Barry Hearn. He called Khan's offer "a joke."

"they’re interested that’s for sure but it’s complicated. It’s looking very good and I’m waiting to hear back from him. I think for an American like Lamont Peterson to come to England there’s no real selling point but for Khan to fight an undefeated European champion from Ireland, there’ll be massive interest," McCloskey told The Bourne Local.

McCloskey was not impressed with Khan's big decision win last month over Marcos Maidana. He thinks Khan has improved but he's still very beatable. McCloskey felt Maidana didn't have the proper skills to finish Khan off in the tenth round.

“Khan is seen as something of a superstar but he’s certainly beatable,” declared McCloskey. “Yes, he’s improved dramatically under Freddie Roach but in his last fight Maidana had him rocked. There’s women on any dance floor that can dance better than Maidana and he had Khan in trouble so I wasn’t impressed.

“The referee could have stepped in and stopped the fight when Maidana caught Khan in the 10th round but it was Khan’s conditioning which stood by him, he ran like a mad man trying to stay out of the way. Maidana took serious punches from Khan but except for the that one body punch at the start when he went down he wasn’t rocked. Khan’s not a big puncher."