Freddie Roach, Khan?s coach, knows the American has ?freakish strength? after a chance session on the pads with him last year. Roach said: ?Peterson is strong, very strong, and we have had to prepare accordingly. He is the strongest, most dangerous opponent Amir has ever faced.?
Amir Khan told Telegraph Sport that Roach was working alongside Peterson?s coach Barry Hunter with the US Olympic squad this year, before the Khan-Peterson fight was signed.
Peterson was at the US team session. ?Freddie said to me he had taken him on the pads for two or three rounds, and Freddie knew everything about him,? said Khan.
?Freddie can read an opponent straightaway, he can see the mistakes, strengths, weaknesses. He thought if we do take a fight with Peterson, he knew exactly what we?d do.?
Although Roach emphasises Khan?s speed as his greatest asset – ?speed kills?, he says – the Briton, 25 on Thursday, has undergone more strength and endurance training for this defence of the WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles. Related Articles Khan keen to raise US profile 05 Dec 2011 Klitschko title fight is off 05 Dec 2011 Chisora loses out to Helenius 03 Dec 2011 Peterson the obstacle for Khan 03 Dec 2011 Murray shows class in battling draw 03 Dec 2011 Ali collapses after Frazier funeral 02 Dec 2011
It meant Hollywood conditioning coach Alex Ariza put Khan through the most gruelling camp of his nine fights with the top American team.
?I?ve pushed Amir harder than he has ever gone, and yet he has managed to hit levels. We?ve done everything we normally do – 5am track sessions, sprint sessions, swimming in the sea, running the dunes, running the steps at Santa Monica – and then taken it to another level. Amir has shown amazing abilities to withstand pain, and is now so strong mentally.?
Peterson, Washington?s quiet man who dragged himself up after surviving an early life on the streets, praised Khan on Tuesday for his willingness to fight in the American?s home town.
?I do respect Khan for taking this fight in Washington, my home town. Most world champions wouldn?t do that,? he said. ?A lot of people in America like Amir Khan, and give him respect for fighting the best fights, and for how well he boxes.
?Khan throws a lot of punches, and works the whole fight, but I?m prepared to go into whatever territory it takes to beat him.?
Meanwhile, Khan revealed on Tuesday that both the American and Pakistani Olympic boxing teams will use his Gloves Community Gym in Bolton to prepare for the London 2012 Olympics.
Khan?s brother Haroon may box for Pakistan, while his American trainer Roach is an adviser to the US Olympic squad. Khan explained: ?Freddie told the US Olympic set-up about the facilities at the Gloves Community Gym ? and they got in touch and would like to prepare there.?
