AMIR KHAN REINSTATED AS WBA SUPER CHAMPION
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 12 Jul 2012
Britain?s Amir Khan has been reinstated as ?Super Champion? by the World Championship Committee of the World Boxing Association a few days before he battles World Boxing Council champion Danny Garcia in what has now become a light welterweight unification bout.
The WBA made the announcement after medical experts confirmed the previous findings that Lamont Peterson who won the title in a hugely controversial decision in his hometown of Washington DC had tested positive for a banned substance.
WBA rules state that no boxer who tests positive for a prohibitive substance can retain a title, or be permitted to fight in a sanctioned bout for a period of no less than six months from the date the positive test has been enforced.
Khan (26-2, 18 KO?s) has looked sharp in training for his July 15 (Manila Time) title fight against undefeated WBC champion Danny Garcia (23-0, 14 KO?s) at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas in a fight that will be telecast in the Philippines at 12:noon on Sunday, July 15 on ?Big Time Bakbakan? over AKTV IBC 13.
Khan who had trained in the early part of his preparation in Baguio City in the Philippines at ?Fighter of the Decade? and close friend Manny Pacquiao?s training camp said his ?preparation has been brilliant? while Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach said ?we are ready? to face Garcia after what he described as ?a really good training camp and some good sparring.?
Among Khan?s sparring partners was Pacquiao?s chief sparring partner for the Timothy Bradley fight, rugged Russian Ruslan Provodnikov who recently scored a spectacular 2nd round knockout win on ESPN?s Friday Night Fights. Another Pacquiao sparring partner, promising lightweight Kevin Hoskins was also in the roster of Khan?s sparring partners.
Roach conceded that Garcia is tough and ?shows a lot of heart? and described the champion as ?a good quality opponent.?
However, Roach believes that Khan is ?the superior fighter. Amir is the taller fighter with longer arms and while Garcia throws a lot of punches I think we have a chance of catching him early because he?s a slow starter. I suggest Amir gets warmed up early.?
The 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist from Britain with Pakistani heritage lost a hugely controversial split decision to Peterson December and was preparing for a rematch which was called off after the American tested positive for a banned substance.
Khan expressed his gratitude to Garcia who won the title from Mexican legend Erik ?El Terrible? Morales for taking the fight.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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