Amir Khan wins WBA light-welterweight title
Nick Parkinson
Amir Khan is aspiring to be the next Manny Pacquiao after beating
Andreas Kotelnik by a unanimous points decision to win his first world
title at the MEN Arena here on Saturday.
The British boxer dominated the contest with his fast combinations,
darting in and out of range to avoid getting into trouble as he cruised
to a 120-108, 118-111 and 118-111 verdict on the judges' scorecards over
Germany-based Ukrainian Kotelnik to win the World Boxing Association (WBA)
light-welterweight title.
Considering Khan, an Olympic Games silver medallist in 2004, was
knocked out in 54 seconds by Colombian Breidis Prescott in the same ring
only last September, it was a remarkable turn around for the
22-year-old.
After losing his unbeaten professional record to Prescott, Khan has
since been trained by American Freddie Roach at his Los Angeles gym.
Roach also trains Filipino Pacquiao, who is regarded as the world's
best pound-for-pound in any weight divisions after he suffered two
knockout defeats earlier in his career.
Khan has sparred with Pacquiao, who the Briton claimed helped inspire
him to his commanding performance against Kotelnik.
"Winning a world title is what I've wanted and dreamed of since the
age of eight," Khan told a news conference. "Manny was a big inspiration
for me. He's dead nice and he's always giving me confidence by saying
I'm going to be the next champion and I will take his place.
"He said to me for this fight speed is going to be the key and that
was the case. Hit and move, and it worked.
"I wish I could achieve what Manny has achieved and this is the first
step towards that. There's still room for improvement though." Khan's
improvement under Roach was evident in a more controlled and considered
display by Khan, whose speed was too much for Kotelnik in the latter
rounds.
"Freddie has been drumming it into me to hit and move more," said
Khan. "The days when I used to rush in and fight with my heart are
gone."
Khan became the 25th world champion to be trained by Roach, who
believes the Briton has the potential to become as brilliant as Pacquiao.
"I compare him so much to Manny Pacquaio because there are so many
similarities," Roach said. "They have speed, they have power.
It took me eight years to get Manny to where he is. It takes time but
Amir has potential to follow in his footsteps.
"I love bringing the best out of people and he's more of a complete
fighter now. He feints better and goes to the body, like an old school
fighter.
People were saying Amir was done after getting knocked out by
Prescott, but in three fights he is world champion."
MANCHESTER, England, Sunday (AFP) |