Acrimony and controversy, the loss of ?1 million and a broken relationship with boxing?s principal television broadcaster marred Amir Khan?s ?homecoming? to Manchester to defend the World Boxing Association light-welterweight title after 17 months in the United States.
In short, it was a public relations disaster for Khan Promotions. The 24 year-old might wonder if the MEN Arena has become a haunting ground, rather than a hunting ground, Khan confirming on Sunday that he may not come back to fight in Britain ?for a very long time?. He will now fight in America, under the banner of Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions.
Nor was this an impressive outing. Khan looked flat-footed and raw in his fourth defence of the World Boxing Association 10-stone title against Paul McCloskey, an unbeaten European champion. Khan was subjected to a chaotic denouement in the fight, as he had been in the fraught fortnight before the fight, when his purse was reportedly reduced by ?1 million.
The championship contest was stopped in the sixth round by Puerto Rican referee Luis Pabon, and thereafter on the advice of the ringside physician, based on a vertical cut above the Irishman?s left eye. It looked, and felt, premature. McCloskey later showed seven temporary stitches in an upward line above his left eye.Thus, a contest which was intriguing, if one-sided, was over before it got started. McCloskey had moved well from the waist, swaying and ducking, causing many of Khan?s flying fists to whizz by him. But, by the sixth round, the champion was beginning to land more hurtful blows, and had drawn the challenger into standing with him.
Closure left an electrically-charged atmosphere of 16,000 baying spectators wanting more. Under WBA rules, the result went to the judges? cards. Khan won every round on all three: 60-54. No issue there. But it felt premature.
Promoter Eddie Barry Hearn, head of Matchroom Sports, branded the officiating as ?ineptitude of the highest order?. Hearn added: “This was Paul McCloskey?s world title dream, and it has been ripped away from him by the worst piece of officiating I have seen in 20 years involved in the sport. The referee, who is the sole arbiter, should be struck off and never allowed to step inside a ring again.”
