“Paul McCloskey is going to be tough. It’s a big opportunity for him to win a world title. He’s undefeated and has never tasted defeat before, so he’s going to come into this fight, you know, confident and not wanting to lose. So he’s got everything to gain and hardly anything to lose really because he’s going into this fight with that and he knows he can walk away with a world title. I remember when I fought for a world title, you know, it boosted my confidence before even getting into the ring, so he’s going to be in the same position,” stated WBA jr. welterweight champion Amir Khan as he talked about his upcoming April 16th clash with Paul McCloskey. Check it out!
BT: Amir, thanks for taking the time out to speak with me today. So what kind of a fight are you expecting from Paul McCloskey on April 16th?
AK: Yeah, no problem. Paul McCloskey is going to be tough. It’s a big opportunity for him to win a world title. He’s undefeated and has never tasted defeat before, so he’s going to come into this fight, you know, confident and not wanting to lose. So he’s got everything to gain and hardly anything to lose really because he’s going into this fight with that and he knows he can walk away with a world title. I remember when I fought for a world title, you know, it boosted my confidence before even getting into the ring, so he’s going to be in the same position.
BT: Is it difficult to get up for a fight with McCloskey when you’ve finally reached that next level of your career where you’re ready to take on the big names of the sport?
AK: No, no, never. I always train like a challenger. I always work hard and I know there’s mistakes of course to be made. I wouldn’t want to make the mistakes so, you know, I work every day like I want to improve. Being at the Wild Card with Freddie Roach, he makes you train so hard and makes you work hard, so you’re not going to take the easy steps.
BT: The fight is obviously back in the UK, but I know you also want to build your fan base here in the US. Is it difficult for you to build that fan base when you’re going back and forth between fighting in the US and fighting in the UK?
AK: Yeah, I think it is difficult. The UK fans are loyal to me and, you know, they know I want to fight in America. I’ve had the last two fights in America, so I’ve built my fan base up in America now, but the UK fans are still there. They’re waiting to see me fight and that’s the reason I’m going back for this fight, so they can see me fight live again. But in the future, you know, I’m sure I’ll come back again and fight in America. There’s a big fan base over here [in America] that I have now, which is growing day by day. My fan base is growing in America. It is going to be difficult to keep both parts of the world happy, but I’m sure because I have people like HBO on board and Sky Box Office on board, I’m sure it will be easier for my fans to see me fight.
BT: You’ve put together a nice string of wins at 140. Is 140 your natural weight or do you think moving up to 147 in the future is going to be a must?
AK: I think 147 will be probably my natural weight. I’ll be strong at that weight. At least there, I can put a little bit of muscle on. When I’m making weight, I won’t need to lose muscle, so I’ll be very strong and I’ll be hitting a lot harder. I think as you grow older, it gets difficult to make weight and hold onto muscle. I’m sure, you know, when I go to 147, I’ll be a better fighter. I think that comes with experience because I’ll be more experienced at that time. I’ll be fighting more world-class level fighters and that will only make me a better fighter.
BT: Obviously you don’t want to look past McCloskey, but I know you’ve thrown Floyd Mayweather’s name out there on several occasssions. Just out of curiosity, why shoot for Floyd Mayweather already when there’s so many other fights out there?
AK: Yeah, you know, McCloskey is the next guy and we need to focus on him, but in the future, you gotta like someone like Floyd Mayweather. Me and Manny Pacquiao will never fight each other because we’re in the same stable and the same trainer trains us and we’ve become good friends. I’m sure there’s other fights out there, but I think Floyd Mayweather is a fighter who everyone has tried to beat and they can’t beat, and I think I’ve got a style to beat him. I’ve been in fights where the opponents have been very awkward and no on can beat them and I’ve gone there and beaten them, so I’m sure I can do the same thing with Floyd. I think, as I’m getting older and getting more mature and stronger, and I’m getting more wiser, I think it will be a better fight in the future. I think maybe in the next 12 to 15 months, that fight could happen.
BT: There’s already been some preliminary talks about facing Timothy Bradley after this fight. Will that be your next fight assuming all goes well with McCloskey?
AK: Once I get McCloskey out the way, I want to then move on and fight Bradley. That’s what I want to do…I’m sure he’ll be waiting for me and I think that’s going to be a huge unification fight and then from there, we will know definitely who’s the best in the division. HBO and Sky are very interested in that fight, but we just want to get MCCloskey out the way first and focus on him, because, you know, McCloskey is going to come into this fight wanting to win and that’s going to be a tough fight for me. So when I get McCloskey out the way and do it in good style, then straight after, I want to fight Bradley. I think that will be a good fight for me. That’s a fight that he wants and I want, so definitely.
BT: I take it you’ll be heading to the Philippines soon and getting some work in with Manny.
AK: We’re going to be going to the Philippines on Sunday, so maybe when I’m down there, I think Manny will be just starting training and towards the end, when he starts to get a little bit fitter, I think Freddie will put me in for a few rounds with Manny. Yeah, I think I’ll be doing a couple of rounds with him.
BT: Champ, like I said before, I appreciate you speaking with me today; it’s been a pleaure. Before you get out of here, I was wondering, is that difficult having Freddie split time with you and Manny?
AK: I think it works out okay because Freddie gives us enough time…I’ve got my own strength conditioner, so the way it’s going to be is going to be perfect. I’m sure Manny’s got his own strength conditioner, I’ve got my own conditioner, so the mornings will be a little different, but then when we go into the boxing gym in the afternoons, I think Manny might train before me or after me. Freddie’s going to work out the timing and stuff. I just spoke to him and he said to me if I want to train early or if I want to train late, he’ll give me the option first; either I want to train first or second. I haven’t decided yet, so I think I’ll decide when I’m on the plane with him or something like that.
