AS Amir Khan?s next opponent edges ever close to being confirmed ? with Paul McCloskey, Lamont Peterson and John Murray all in the frame for an April 16 MEN Arena date ? the WBA light-welterweight champion has explained the problems he has in obtaining rivals willing to step into the ring with him for the right price.
?I end up getting the criticism for not fighting these guys,? Khan bemoaned. ?Like with [Marcos] Maidana, he got his biggest ever payday and I had to be paid short for that to happen. If I refuse to bow to their demands I get criticism plus I wanted to prove I?m not a coward, I?m not running away.?
Khan was recently named the Boxing News British Fighter of the Year and credited his improvement in 2010 and subsequent accolade to the hard work he puts in under renowned trainer Freddie Roach and a willingness to lay it all on the line.
?I like to prove people wrong,? Khan stated. ?I?m still learning, not making as many mistakes, fighting and beating the big names, all of this shows I?m training right.
?Fighting in the US meant a lot to me also because from day one it?s been a dream to fight in Vegas and Madison Square Garden, and now I?ve done that. Last year, I only had two fights, the Fighter of the Year normally has at least three but mine were so big and explosive I got the award. I earned this by achieving the dreams I?ve had since I was a kid.?
Khan has even grander plans for 2011, beginning in April with his first UK appearance since December 2009. The homecoming means a great deal to the Bolton man but perhaps not quite as much as asserting his dominance in the 10st division and, eventually, taking on the likes of Floyd Mayweather.
?Fighting back in the UK means a lot because it?s my home and I built my career here,? Khan revealed. ?I want to unify the division and fight the best in the division, so I can be known as the best, then I?ll move to welterweight.
?I don?t want to jump in the deep-end too quick with Mayweather so it will not be this year but the year after when the time is right for me. With my style I think I could give Mayweather problems. Boxing is a tough sport so I want to maximise everything to my advantage.?
