Amir Khan has much to thank Freddie Roach for, and although he is yet to fulfill the dreams he aspires to, the American trainer has instilled in the young British fighter the mores which could yet take him to his first world title win in just over two weeks? time in London.
Roach, of course, has built brick by brick, punch by punch, the outstanding career of Filipino Manny Pacquiao, now considered the world?s No 1 boxer. Roach, already celebrated three times as the world?s top coach, will collect the 2008 Boxing Writers of America Association award for Trainer of the Year this Friday night in New York, before heading to Bolton with Khan.
On cue, Khan?s friends will be banned, and his mobile phone will be confiscated. ?It will just be me and Freddie in camp,? said Khan. ?And no distractions.?
It was Roach who masterminded Pacquaio’s devastating two-round victory over Ricky Hatton and is preparing Khan to win his first world title. Khan takes on Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik, holder of the WBA 140lb belt, at London’s O2 Arena on June 27.
Khan has been under Roach’s guidance since the loss to Breidis Prescott last September, and has continued to improve, with an easy victory over Oisin Fagan and a composed performance by the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera, who fought with blood cascading down his face for four rounds.
The 22-year-old is delighted for his mentor Roach. Khan said: “Freddie is a great man and a great trainer and I am so happy for him to get the award. He is well respected throughout the sport and the result of his work can be seen when the boxers fight.
I’ve been working hard with Freddie in the gym for nearly eight weeks now and he feels that I am ready for the fight. We have been working on the plan to beat Kotelnik and as long as I follow instructions then I know I will win.?
Roach?s view is straightforward. ?If Amir does what I expect him to do, and develops as I know he can, I think he will be my next great champion.?
