Michael Gomez: “I’ll knock Khan out”

Manchester’s Irish born warrior Michael Gomez has turned up the heat ahead of his lightweight clash with Amir Khan next month by saying he’s going to knock out the 2004 Olympic silver medalist. “I can’t see any result other than me knocking Amir Khan out.” Said Gomez “I’m not stupid, I know I’m gonna have to knock him out to win. “I’ve got to get through the first four rounds, because that’s when his speed is telling, but I’ve noticed that after those four rounds his speed dies off and that’s when it’s gonna be my fight. “I’m gonna keep the pressure on and keep him working in the early rounds, but leave plenty in the tank for the late rounds and I can’t see any other outcome than a win for Michael Gomez.” “On the 22nd of June, the day after the fight, every single household in the country will know the name of Michael Gomez. The man who beat Amir Khan.” Many people were surprised when the 30 year old former British and WBU super-featherweight champion got the call to be Khan’s next opponent but Gomez feels certain as to the reasons behind Sports Network picking him. He said: “I didn’t look too good against Baz Carey in my last fight and I was shocking against Carl Johannesson, so you can see what Frank Warren’s thinking. He’s thinking that I’m finished, that I’m shot, but come the night of the fight he’s going be seeing déjà vu and remembering what I did to Alex Arthur. “When Frank sees me at the weigh in, he’s gonna swallow his tongue ‘cause let me tell you, I’m a massive lightweight. I lost my power getting down to super-featherweight but at this weight I’m gonna be a lot bigger and hit a lot harder.” The colourful Mancuniun, who has won 24 of 35 victories by stoppage, admits the fight has already got him excited and says the prospect of defeating Khan has reignited a flame that burnt out a long time ago. “When I went to the Arena, something happened that hasn’t for a long time – I got chills. I hugged Bobby Rimmer (his trainer) and told him ‘I’m gonna do this’. I’m not sure if something I’d died in me before, but it was the first time I’d felt like that in ages. I see this as a massive opportunity to make my name.” He added: “A lot of fighters are beaten by the occasion when they fight Amir Khan, but that will not bother me. I’ve been in the position before where the whole crowd is against me and I’m not the star but hey, I thrive on it so bring it on!” Some corners of the boxing fraternity have already poured scorn on the bout and labelled it as another case of Khan taking on an opponent far removed from their prime years, but Gomez’s trainer Bobby Rimmer prefers to views things another way. He said: “Let’s look at it this way, if you’re looking to try and test one of the upcoming stars then who better than Michael Gomez? “Gomez has got everything. He’s got a tremendous heart, he’s very courageous and he’s also a very smart boxer when he needs to be. He’s 31 on the day of the fight and he turned pro when he was 17, so he’s been around a long time. He’s been there, done it and bought the shirt. “Amir Khan thinks that Michael won’t be as fit as him but Michael will be fitter. We know that it’s gonna be a torid affair but Michael’s ready for it. He knows what it’s like to get hurt, to get off the floor and go onto win. “On the night, he’ll be so fired up he’ll run into that ring like he always does. He’ll be in there that fast, the announcer won’t have even finished saying his name.” Many questions hang over both Gomez and Amir Khan and while many are likely to remain after their June 21st meeting, something that is certain about the North-west rivals is that they will both give their all in a battle that is sure to bloody, gruelling and enthralling.