Amir Khan is targeting a 2014 showdown with Floyd Mayweather but has been told by coach Virgil Hunter his current attitude will lead to an extremely painful night should the pair fight.
Khan was ringside as Mayweather put on yet another masterclass over the weekend, stretching his undefeated record to 45 bouts with a majority decision victory over Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.
The Brit has his own world title fight to win, against Devon Alexander in December, after which he wants the chance to ruin Mayweather’s legacy, according to Gareth A Davies of the Daily Telegraph:
Fighting Floyd Mayweather is my dream fight. We are the superstars of boxing and, once I have got Devon Alexander out of the way, it will be Mayweather for me, fingers crossed.
He is an amazing tactician but I know my speed will count against him—that is something I believe in 100 percent.
All the fighters who meet Floyd rely on their power, and although he is an amazing fighter, you have to fight him at his own game. You have to treat it like a chess game. You have to use your speed. He needs to fight someone as quick as him and I know that I am quicker than him.
Khan’s claim to a shot at the world’s best boxer seems laughable after a recent run of two wins and two losses from his past four fights. The Brit is still rebuilding after being stopped by Danny Garcia, who is a more logical choice for Mayweather at this stage following the win over the heavily fancied Lucas Matthysse.
A win for Khan over Alexander would hand him the IBF welterweight belt, and the 26-year-old’s name remains an attraction in the U.S. thanks to his memorable war with Marcos Maidana, but coach Hunter is clearly concerned.
Dan Wootton of The Sun (subscription required) brought attention to Khan’s private life over the weekend, and Hunter stated his desire to seeing the Brit dedicate his career to training, as reported by Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail:
You have to make this sport your absolute priority if what you want is to be the best. If Amir changes his ideas, really commits to boxing and really becomes a student of the game he could grow very quickly.
Most of the fighters like Amir who come to me to save their careers have the same thing in common. They don’t have 100 per cent dedication. That is what it takes and that is what I preach.
I’m not saying Amir is wavering. But I am saying that to be a great champion you have to be focussed and disciplined. What makes it difficult for Amir is his popularity. He has to switch all that off. He has to live the life. I’m not afraid to tell him that because I am trying to get the best out of him.
Ironically, The Telegraph claims Khan switched to Hunter after claiming previous coach Freddie Roach’s busy schedule had not been right for him given his endless media responsibilities and dedication to Manny Pacquiao.
Now Hunter is demanding Khan lives in the gym, rather than applying himself for eight-week training camps before affording himself time off in between.
Khan need only look to Ricky Hatton as a warning of what might happen if he enters a bout against Mayweather without total dedication. Hatton often ballooned in weight between fights and was stopped in the 10th by Mayweather, a defeat that sparked the slide toward retirement.
There is truth in the fact Khan has certain tools to trouble the American. He has the speed Alvarez lacked, he has the desire to pressurise, but right now he has neither the defence nor tactical acumen.
Hunter can improve those areas, if not the chin, but will struggle to make any considerable impact during eight-week camps, making it imperative Khan listens to his mentor if the 2014 bout is to become a reality.
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