Amir Khan Admits His Performance Was Sub-Par, Felt Over-trained and Tired

Amir Khan will assert control over his own training camp following what he admits was a sub-par performance in his victory over Chris Algieri. There will be what he calls 'a tough day at the office' when he and his American trainer Virgil Hunter review how they prepared for Algieri and the issues he had to confront in the ring at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. Rarely less than blisteringly honest, Khan says: 'I was flat in that ring and the first half of the fight was tougher for me than it should have been. I will ask Virgil his opinion as to why I did not have my usual speed, power, strength and snap. 'But in part I must become my own boss now. Virgil is a great trainer and he will be in my corner next time. But I know myself and my own body better than anyone and it is my take on it all which will decide where we go from here. 'I'm a very hard-working boxer but sometimes you can over-train. I was in camp for 14 weeks and sparred over 160 rounds, many of them in 12-round championship sessions. 'I left too much in the gym.' Khan is also questioning whether some of the intense technical detail of the work with Hunter is inhibiting his natural talent - that lightning speed, brilliant movement and attacking instinct. He says: 'I need to go back to being the old Amir Khan. All my career I've trusted my trainers and I've done everything the way they ask. But it's time to remember that it was my free flowing ability which got me to two world titles and now to the brink of a super-fight with Mayweather.' Hunter had remarked after Friday night's performance that to have any chance of beating Mayweather, Khan would need to 'raise his level' as remarkably as James Buster Douglas did when he pulled off the greatest upset in ring history against Mike Tyson. Khan seemed to agree when he said: 'I know that with our respective styles I can give Floyd problems ***8211; but it has to be by me fighting the way that comes naturally. 'Virgil has added things to my boxing and can continue to do so but basically I have to be myself. Virgil taught Andre Ward very well over many years but I am not the same fighter as Andre. What works for him doesn't necessarily work for me. I must make the most of my own talents.'