Khan To Vacate Commonwealth

Amir Khan will vacate his Commonwealth lightweight title following victory over Martin Kristjansen. Promoter Frank Warren made the announcement at a post fight press conference last night. Purse bids had been called by the Commonwealth Boxing Council for this week for a showdown between Khan and Jon Thaxton. But Warren said that, following Thaxton's defeat against Yuri Romanov on Friday in a European title fight, the contest was no longer attractive. "It's a pointless fight," said Warren. "What does Thaxton have to offer, and what does Amir have to prove by beating Jon Thaxton? "I just hope the brains trust around Thaxton can look him in the eye and explain to him why he is tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket. "We offered him £125,000 to fight Amir, but instead he fought Romanov and got the crap beaten out of him in front of 600 people for less than half that amount. "He got a bad cut and also has to defend his British title, and he doesn't fit in with our plans any more." Khan added: "Thaxton was offered a lot of money but didn't take the chance. I'm not going to wait around for him. "I still believe that I am good enough to fight for a world title, and I remain on course to do that." Meanwhile Warren said that Khan will fight again in June, although it is unlikely to be for a world title. He said that he would ideally like to see Khan have at least one more fight before challenging Joel Cassamayor (WBO interim champion) or Nate Campbell (WBO full champion). Last night's win over Kristjansen was an eliminator for the WBO belt. However, it would not be unrealistic for Khan to have three of four more contests before contemplating a world title fight. That would still leave him on schedule to fight for a world title before the end of the year.

Comments (12)

sparked_85

Zahir Raheem is at least as good as Romanov if not better. But that's beside the point. Khan is finally ready for a top 10 - 15 guy. I read that Julio Diaz is going to fight Devon Alexander. That's a good fight for Alexander, but it'd be a good fight for Khan too. Raheem is better, I just never want to see him fight.

18y ago

javelin_fangs

Seems very churlish to hate on Amir Khan at this point. His level up competition has been very decent for 17 fights. The thing missing is that Frank has yet to put him in with a puncher. It doesn't mean these guys are cream puffs. I think it should be Romanov next 21 (14)-2 But if it's not him, then it has to be better. Not that Raheem dude like steelhead says.....that guy is horrible. Julio Diaz would be good. Zahir Raheem is at least as good as Romanov if not better. But that's beside the point. Khan is finally ready for a top 10 - 15 guy. I read that Julio Diaz is going to fight Devon Alexander. That's a good fight for Alexander, but it'd be a good fight for Khan too.

18y ago

badnewsbrown

khan maybe ready after 30 fights or so... but right now any one of the top lightweights would batter him, even katsidis

18y ago

sparked_85

How about David Diaz? He's fighting Pac isn't he?

18y ago

CraigM

How about David Diaz?

18y ago

sparked_85

18y ago

abadger

i like what i'm hearing. it's facinating to hear khans nuthuggers go on and on about how good he is when he's only fought warren creampuffs and has never stepped up. oh wait he has won the commonwealth british empire title! hee hee hee... you talk about a hoaky belt!thats like equal to the amature goldengloves in U.S. i want to believe in warren but wouldnt be suprised to see the typical euro/british way of going the route of least resistents and never fighting anyone of consiquence and if they do its someone thats on the way down. i mean can you see khan ranked 6 beating zahir raheem ranked 10 or kid diamond ranked 16? and you know he wouldnt have a chance against anyone ranked higher than him. come on khan please fight someone that is at least a true half step up for once. your getting fat and silly eating up creampuffs. COME ON!!! I have never seen a single post on this board "going on and on about how good he is" without at least qualifying it with the observation that Khan is young, a prospect and has yet to fight a truly world class fighter. I'm sure such posts exist, but they are not common. Do you disagree that 1) Khan looks to be an exciting prospect with the tools to potentially have a great career, or that 2) with the fighters he has beaten Khan has legitimately placed himself at the the fringes of the world scene. That is the limit of what most Khan fans think. The UK hate has got to stop. ________ Indica Strains

18y ago

CraigM

I'd actually like to see Khan fight Katsidis. To me it's a logical fight if Khan is going to compete for the title at 135. He beat Earl much easier than Katsidis did and beating Katsidis easier than Casamayor would clearly put Khan in the top 4 or 5 at 135. Wouldn't probably happen due to Warrens way of promoting but would solidify Amir as a top top prospect.

18y ago

javelin_fangs

18y ago

Silencers

He should fight Peterson or one of the top contenders at 135.

18y ago

0094

Warren has also said that Khan wont fight Yuri Romanov YET. As he sees the Europen title a "step back" to where khans currently headed. He mentioned that if Romanov were to win a world title then a unification fight would be better and involve more money. I think Warren's hoping that Romanov will lose like Thaxton so that Khan can avoid him. Warren is definatly banking on Campbell being shot before Khan fights him.

18y ago

loui_ludwig

What is wrong with Khan, giving up the Commonwealth belt.

18y ago