Tweet
Amir Khan has expressed his frustration at being forced into a seven-month lay-off which has seen his boxing career hit the brakes.
The WBA light-welterweight champion stopped Paulie Malignaggi on his US debut in May but the Bolton fighter had to shelve plans for a follow-up fight due to time constraints.
The 23-year-old had earmarked July for a return to the ring but the fact that his training camp would have been too short coupled with Khan's desire to fast for Ramadan meant any potential match-up was scrapped.
"It's a long break," he said. "My team thought it best for me not to fight. But I'm a born fighter and I don't want to take time off because I'm in my prime. "I could have got an opponent, but we would have been rushing it with Ramadan coming up. There were only four or five weeks of training which was too short notice.
"I don't think it will happen again. Hopefully we will learn and not stay out of the game so long."
The former Olympic silver medallist now looks likely to meet the winner of Juan Diaz's showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez. Khan is heading ringside in Las Vegas for their July 31 WBO lightweight clash and if a deal can be reached, he is hoping the bout can take place in December in Britain.
"It's nearly agreed that I will fight the winner and I would like it to be over here next time. It depends on the opponent and the broadcasters," he said.
The WBA light-welterweight champion stopped Paulie Malignaggi on his US debut in May but the Bolton fighter had to shelve plans for a follow-up fight due to time constraints.
The 23-year-old had earmarked July for a return to the ring but the fact that his training camp would have been too short coupled with Khan's desire to fast for Ramadan meant any potential match-up was scrapped.
"It's a long break," he said. "My team thought it best for me not to fight. But I'm a born fighter and I don't want to take time off because I'm in my prime. "I could have got an opponent, but we would have been rushing it with Ramadan coming up. There were only four or five weeks of training which was too short notice.
"I don't think it will happen again. Hopefully we will learn and not stay out of the game so long."
The former Olympic silver medallist now looks likely to meet the winner of Juan Diaz's showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez. Khan is heading ringside in Las Vegas for their July 31 WBO lightweight clash and if a deal can be reached, he is hoping the bout can take place in December in Britain.
"It's nearly agreed that I will fight the winner and I would like it to be over here next time. It depends on the opponent and the broadcasters," he said.
Comment