AMIR KHAN RECEIVES ROUSING WASHINGTON WELCOME, PREPARES TO GIVE PETERSON A BOXING LESSON
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 08 Dec 2011
WBA/IBF light welterweight champion Amir Khan on Britain has received a rousing welcome in his final open workout at the Kennedy Recreation Center in Washington DC prior to his title defense against Lamont Peterson at the Convention Center on Sunday, Manila Time.
Khan said he knows it will be a tough fight but that he thought ?the strength, the power, the speed all will work on my side and I think Lamont Peterson is in trouble. We?re not going in there looking for a knockout. We?re not thinking it?s an easy fight.?
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach had earlier warned Khan (26-1, 18 KO?s) that Peterson (29-1-1, 15 KO?s) is ?the strongest, most dangerous opponent Amir has ever faced? and that they have had to train accordingly.
To Peterson the title shot at Khan ?is a dream come true, the biggest night of my life. This is my night. I just want to make the most of it and I will.?
The talent of Peterson and his punching ability forced strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza to put Khan through a grueling grind in preparation for his showdown at the Convention Center in Washington DC on Sunday, Manila Time in a fight card that will be telecast by AKTV IBC 13 on ?Bigtime Bakbakan? at 10:00 a.m.
In an overseas telephone conversation with the Manila Standard, Ariza said Khan ?has physically grown out of his shell. He is much, much stronger than he was in the last couple of fights.?
The strength and conditioning coach said Khan ?is coming along great. This is the best camp that we?ve ever had and that?s true.?
Ariza noted that when ?opponents prepare to fight one of our guys they take their game to another level so I won?t speculate what?s going to happen. All I know is I have my guy in the best shape and as strong as I possibly could for this fight.?
He said he had pushed Khan harder than ever before and that the 24 year old Briton has shown amazing ability to withstand pain and is now also mentally very strong.
Ariza told us that Amir Khan plans to move up to welterweight and that he really hopes Floyd Mayweather Jr will fight him.
Khan is coming off a 5th round knockout of veteran IBF champion Zab Judah last July 23 while Petersn won an IBF title eliminator beating Victor Manuel Cayo by a 12th round knockout last July 29.
Peterson praised Khan for his willingness to fight in his hometown saying he respected him for it, pointing out that ?most world champions wouldn?t do that,?
The challenger said fight fans in the US like Khan who ?throws a lot of punches and works the whole fight? but said he is ?prepared to go into whatever territory it takes to beat him.?
Photo: Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Amir Khan (Right) hits the mitts held by his trainer Freddie Roach (Left) on December 6, 2011 in Washington, DC during a media workout in preparation for Khan?s December 10, 2011 world title defense against number one rated super lightweight contender Lamont Peterson at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC which will be televised live on HBO?s World Championship Boxing in the United States and on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Photo by Delane Rouse - Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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