Article: Khan hints at possible split from trainer Roach, needs to be #1 priority

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing/article-2174443/Amir-Khan-hints-split-Freddie-Roach.html?ito=feeds-newsxml Amir Khan will review his relationship with the world’s top boxing trainer following the brutal loss of his world title. Britain’s fallen world light-welterweight champion retains absolute belief in the skills of Freddie Roach but he is ready to give the maestro of the Wild Card gym an ultimatum which he may not be able to accept. Khan wants Roach to make him his first priority, ahead of pound-for-pound legend Manny Pacquiao, after his defeat by Danny Garcia here on Saturday. ‘The time has come for me to be No 1 in my training camp,’ said Khan. ‘I’ve got to start putting myself first and stop worrying about other people.’ Roach has guided the Briton to the boxing summit but has required him to fit in with the schedule of the legendary Pacquiao, which involves training in the Philippines for weeks at a time. Khan does not hold Roach responsible for his latest loss, shouldering much of the blame himself when he says: ‘I’m too brave for my own good sometimes. I don’t need to take the risks which result in me getting caught by the big left hook which changed this fight.’ However, the brief but savage beating he took here is forcing him to re-assess his entire strategy. Nursing a badly marked face and a damaged ear as he discussed his future, Khan said: ‘I can’t afford to make any more mistakes. Me and my team must go over every detail and make changes where necessary. It’s time for me to grow up. I’m a man now, not a boy. I’m the one who has to do the fighting and take the punches so I must be the main focus of everyone around me.’ He added: ‘I really enjoy my time living and working with Freddie in Los Angeles but I don’t know what the effect is on me of all the other travelling to be with him and Manny. Maybe from this point I should spend more time in England, in my comfort zone.’ :boxing:

Comments (20)

its not completely Roaches fault but he a change of trainer and culture is good for him sometimes change is good for the sake of change. the fact that he was hanging and sparring with Pacquiao gave him a big head. He was already bragging how he bested Pacquiao in sparring and "took his best punches" just the most ridiculous things ive heard out of Khan to date, in a real fight he would have been killed. look what Garcia did to him. lose the pacquiao and roach connection and start a new like Kelly Pavlik

13y ago

Carpe_Diem

This is why i can't stand this whiny prick.

13y ago

The_Sandman

I understand Khan's frustration. He has to make a drastic change. To him, he's thinking "I need to fight Mayweather and become the best pound 4 pound. But time is limited and I just lost which holds me back even further." Khan has to start making moves fast. He has no choice but to rush everything. He's on time limit and it sucks.

13y ago

Suavecito80

Khan already changed trainers twice, still hasn't learned head and upper body movement. At some point people are gonna have to realize that with Khan, what you see is what you get. He's pretty much a finished product. It's gonna be hard to swallow for his fans but I think he reached his ceiling. Very well stated.

13y ago

Chiboxing123

I respect khan for fighting every and anybody. But I honestly dont think a change in his corner will change anything. Same with ortiz. There always gonna be good but not great fighters. Not in the elite class and both have there limatations

13y ago

Light_Speed

13y ago

Suavecito80

Unless the new trainer can install a better chin he will always be at risk of GKTFO. His power is overatted and he wont be able to sit on his punches because of the risk of him getting crumbled to pieces by incoming fire. He moves to 147 and his power will be even less with fighters that will be able to take harder punches. His speed is his asset but if he can't hurt the other fighter they will walk him down.

13y ago

Kagami_Taiga

If you're a tall fighter with fast hands, decent power and a weak chin, Steward is the go to man. i agree. ive never gotten khans obsession with flurries. if he would simply take his time, jab, jab, jab, right hand, hed do much better. his right hand isnt bad either, but the way he throws it is very flawed.

13y ago

brick_wall

that's his prerogative...there have been lots of fighters in the past who tried to look for a new coach after a loss so khan's reaction is pretty normal. no trainer could fix his chin though.

13y ago

Jam_Jars

he'll probably choose booth, which isnt a bad choice, but it isnt the best choice. he should probably go with steward. ppl may think hes overrated, but hed be a great fit for khan, who lacks head movement, steward teaches the basic head movement, esp for a tall lanky fighter like khan. he doesnt need as much as some, steward would also emphasize his jab. If you're a tall fighter with fast hands, decent power and a weak chin, Steward is the go to man.

13y ago

Kagami_Taiga

13y ago

The_Gambler1981

To me Khan is saying the correct things here, I like his tone much more than the Peterson loss because he seems willing to acknowledge real issues and truly look in the mirror. A new trainer is pretty much a foregone conclusion, with such reflection. I would just hope he will take it slow with the new trainer so he can really improve, most guys switch trainers then have one easy fight then try to go for the gusto but that is not enough time to really make the new trainers plans second nature.

13y ago

Kagami_Taiga

AK has no issues with PAC and Roach he's always said himself that PAC is the number 1 in the gym and he has to live with that. If I was AK I'd move not too far away with Virgil Hunter, most underrated trainer. I rate him highly i agree, hunter is a great trainer and hed do right by khan. it may be too late tho.

13y ago

BetterCallSaul

lmao blame the trainer hes such a sore loser at the ed of 3 roach said " get out there and hold tie him up and clinch " so kahn goes out gunz blazing and gets ktfo roaches fault ? I doubt Roach has ever taught Khan how to clinch effectively. Khan tries to clinch over the shoulder leaving him open for hooks and uppercuts. Anybody knows clinching underneath your opponents arms nullifies their inside game. Yet Khan still does not how to clinch effectively. That can be taught so easy, and made to become natural within a few fights. Why hasn't Roach got Khan learning these basic defensive techniques? I'm not blaming Roach, he has helped Khan somewhat, but it's apparent he's not the right trainer for Khan. I also think Khan isn't much different to the fighter he was pre Roach. In fact, Khan would have probably reached the same level he's at with or without him. It's not a good fit.

13y ago

Jam_Jars

I've been one of the ones saying Khan needs a new trainer, but if Amir really thinks he's gonna find a trainer worth his weight in salt that doesn't have to split atleast some of his time with another fighter - he's still in lala land. I'm sure he knows that, he just wants to be priority. Khans has got to base his time with Roach around Pacquiao. It's impossible for Khan to get the best from Roach whilst Roach is concentrated mostly on Pacquiao.

13y ago

ma51f

Adam booth would be perfect for him only if he sticks to his gameplan which booth would make sure he does.

13y ago

Lorily

13y ago

revs1227

lmao blame the trainer hes such a sore loser at the ed of 3 roach said " get out there and hold tie him up and clinch " so kahn goes out gunz blazing and gets ktfo roaches fault ?

13y ago

SCEN3RY

Roach's response: http://kristinhoppe.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/well_bye.jpg?w=500 lol, I'm not too sure though, as long as him and Manny don't have fights on near enough dates, they could work it out....but with Chavez in the mix also, it'll be tough.

13y ago

Roy_Jones_Jnr

Brother Naazim. Do. It. Now. And no, dont go back to England. Stay in America, you've built a name for yourself over there. Just get rid of Roach ASAP and find someone who will teach you some defense and ring smarts. Also humble yourself and LISTEN TO THE TRAINER rather than getting in wars. The viewers have made it quite clear they'll kick you when you fall trying to provide them with some bang for their buck so now it's time you tell them to **** off and fight in a way that suits you best. **** trying to be excitiing and start to focus on WINNING. IMO Brother Naazim would be a great trainer for Khan, but at the end of the day, If Khan is not willing to listen it doesn't matter who trains him, he'll still lose fighting like that.

13y ago