Tweet
Khan set for US debut
AMIR Khan hopes to make his Stateside debut next year after facing his first American opponent at London's ExCel Arena on Saturday, December 9.
Promoter Frank Warren announced today that he will be importing an American opponent, to be named next week, for the 2004 Olympic silver medallist's first scheduled eight-round fight.
American broadcasting giants HBO want to follow the progress of 19-year-old Khan who aims to take his winning run as a professional into double figures after winning his first nine paid fights - seven inside the distance.
Advertisement your story continues below
"HBO have said they will give him the maximum exposure they can and that will hopefully involve a fight in the States," said Warren.
Khan, whose appetite has been whetted by meetings boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard on a recent trip to America said: "I would love to fight over there.
"Sugar Ray Leonard sat down with me and talked about the Olympics. He knows me as a future champion and told me, 'You want to come over here and crack America'.
"I want to build my name up in the States as well as here. I want people in America to know who I am, that I'm a good boxer and that I'm going to be a great champion."
Khan's travels since stopping Ryan Barrett in the first round of his last fight involved visiting Mecca for a two-week pilgrimage and then his trip to America where he tried out two famous gyms and met some important names.
Hero
"It was wicked to meet Muhammad Ali," he said.
"This guy is my hero and I was with him in Louisville."
Khan also met current American star Manny Pacquiao, a two-weight world champion at flyweight and super-bantam.
He met Pacquiao after working out under the watchful eye of leading trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and also had a session at Gleeson's in New York.
"I did a session with Freddie Roach and met Manny Pacquiao," said Khan. "Then I went to Gleeson's gym.
"Zab Judah trains there and his trainer said he would love to train with me if I go back."
Khan hopes to win his first professional title next year and Warren, keeping his options open, said: "I don't know which title it will be, it depends what's available.
"It could be the British, the Commonwealth or even the English. Amir hasn't fought over eight rounds yet, let alone 10, and the English would give him the opportunity for a 10-rounder."
Warren believes that, down the line, Khan could be on course to fight his other main young prospect, Dagenham's former ABA champion Kevin Mitchell.
Mitchell meets Ghana's George Ashie for the vacant Commonwealth super-featherweight title at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Saturday night.
Warren said: "Provided they stay at the same weight, the big fight for Amir would be Kevin Mitchell. York Hall is sold out for Saturday and, provided they both keep winning, we will be building it up."
AMIR Khan hopes to make his Stateside debut next year after facing his first American opponent at London's ExCel Arena on Saturday, December 9.
Promoter Frank Warren announced today that he will be importing an American opponent, to be named next week, for the 2004 Olympic silver medallist's first scheduled eight-round fight.
American broadcasting giants HBO want to follow the progress of 19-year-old Khan who aims to take his winning run as a professional into double figures after winning his first nine paid fights - seven inside the distance.
Advertisement your story continues below
"HBO have said they will give him the maximum exposure they can and that will hopefully involve a fight in the States," said Warren.
Khan, whose appetite has been whetted by meetings boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard on a recent trip to America said: "I would love to fight over there.
"Sugar Ray Leonard sat down with me and talked about the Olympics. He knows me as a future champion and told me, 'You want to come over here and crack America'.
"I want to build my name up in the States as well as here. I want people in America to know who I am, that I'm a good boxer and that I'm going to be a great champion."
Khan's travels since stopping Ryan Barrett in the first round of his last fight involved visiting Mecca for a two-week pilgrimage and then his trip to America where he tried out two famous gyms and met some important names.
Hero
"It was wicked to meet Muhammad Ali," he said.
"This guy is my hero and I was with him in Louisville."
Khan also met current American star Manny Pacquiao, a two-weight world champion at flyweight and super-bantam.
He met Pacquiao after working out under the watchful eye of leading trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and also had a session at Gleeson's in New York.
"I did a session with Freddie Roach and met Manny Pacquiao," said Khan. "Then I went to Gleeson's gym.
"Zab Judah trains there and his trainer said he would love to train with me if I go back."
Khan hopes to win his first professional title next year and Warren, keeping his options open, said: "I don't know which title it will be, it depends what's available.
"It could be the British, the Commonwealth or even the English. Amir hasn't fought over eight rounds yet, let alone 10, and the English would give him the opportunity for a 10-rounder."
Warren believes that, down the line, Khan could be on course to fight his other main young prospect, Dagenham's former ABA champion Kevin Mitchell.
Mitchell meets Ghana's George Ashie for the vacant Commonwealth super-featherweight title at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Saturday night.
Warren said: "Provided they stay at the same weight, the big fight for Amir would be Kevin Mitchell. York Hall is sold out for Saturday and, provided they both keep winning, we will be building it up."
Comment