I have been hearing from people both on and off the record that World Boxing Association 140 champeen Amir Khan was going to jump ship, and leave his Hall of Fame British promoter Frank Warren for greener pastures in America.
Khan, 23, is a talented and charismatic Pakistani/British mix thoroughbred standing 5’10 and 140 lbs., who if moved properly can make a ton of money. He’s not there yet, and his chin is suspect, but he reminds of the late great Alexis Arguello.
Warren steered the treacherous early days of Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton, among others but they broke away when America beckoned.
Did they believe Warren had a reach impediment toward his wallet (didn’t pay enough) or was he incompetent? Warren is certainly not anyone’s fool.
While contemplating that, consider this: Khan is rumored to be considering Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions) and Bob Arum (Top Rank) as his American promoter.
I figure some day soon Bob Arum (Top Rank) and Richard Schaefer (Golden Boy) will put the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather mess on the back burner and devote themselves to a fight over Khan.
I would say “Go ask Freddie Roach!”
Freddie would have a first hand opinion of both promoters and the ongoing Mayweather, Jr. vs. Pacquiao feud would most likely tip the scales in favor of Arum and over Schaefer as far as handling Khan’s future.
I would honestly like to see Warren kept on and simply designate Top Rank to come on as “American promoter,” if at all.
A year ago, It was Warren who literally helped pick Khan up after he was brutally knocked out in the opening minute of round one by Breidis Prescott. It was Warren who got Khan a confidence-building tune up before a prestigious stoppage of Marco Antonio Barrera and of course the decisive title win over Andriy Kolelnik and the 76 second blitz over No. 1 contender Dimitriy Salita.
As a famous football coach in Texas says, “Dance with the one who brung you.”
Only 23, Khan is now 22-1 (16 KO’s) and as hot as any fighter in the world right now but still a bit fragile.
If Arum pays Khan a bunch or money to fight for Top Rank, he’s going to expect pretty immediate results. If Khan fails, he needs to be a man and not blame Warren.
