Freddie Roach directed his anger and ire at Andreas Kotelnik in London citing a toothache as not much of an excuse for postponing a world title fight.
Roach?s argument was that fighters used to go in there regardless of aches and pains.
At central London’s Landmark Hotel, Roach was angry, insistent that preparation had been disturbed by the decision to re-schedule the contest. Khan prepares at Roach?s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.
Roach flies back to the US today with Khan joining him in a few days. Roach and Khan were to have stayed here from this point for the original fight with Kotelnik, for the WBA 140lb (light-welterweight) title in London on June 27.
“I’m very disappointed because he pulled out with toothache. If he can fight two weeks later, I’m a little pissed off because my guy was ready to fight. Then he goes and pulls out of the fight with toothache.”
Kotelnik, via interpreter, explained: “It was an accident that happened while I was sparring. My teeth got broken and the doctor said I had to rest. I will have another operation on my teeth tomorrow in the Ukraine and then everything will be fixed. I will start my sparring when I get back to Germany.?
Khan is confident he can beat Ukrainian Kotelnik, the contest now scheduled for the MEN Arena in Manchester on July 18. When they get back into camp at the Wild Card Gym, in Hollywood, California, one instruction from Roach may be written on the gym wall for his young charge. ?Go on Amir, knock his teeth out.?
