Friend of mine saw Amir Khan at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas the other day. “But I didn’t recognize him…standing up,” the wag said. News flash: Chinny Khan is going for hand surgery, the referees keep stepping on his mitts when he’s rolling on the canvas. OK, enough with the snappy patter and jokes. More seriously, I come to praise Khan’s fighting spirit and his public vow to rebound after his third pro career loss and second devastating KO defeat. Khan is quick to remind interviewers that he’s only age 25 but, if he keeps tasting left hooks like the one American Danny Garcia planted on the side of his head Saturday night in Vegas, Khan will be confused about his real age. In a video with Sky Sports, Khan reflected on his precarious situation but vowed to rebound like “Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson did.” Always a thoughtful speaker, Khan though also sounded like a fighter who is wondering what is wrong with his prefight prep and what might be corrected going forward. Certainly, the idiotic cries for his retirement will be “ignored,” Khan said. (P.S., I’ve got a swell prize for anyone who name the last HBO-certified fighter who quit at Khan’s tender age.) “We’re going to through the things that need to be fixed,” Khan said. Khan mentioned possibly summoning trainer Freddie Roach for a summit meeting in England. No doubt that Coach Roach was horrified when Khan elected to swap bombs with fearless Garcia. Khan also mentioned he won’t be trekking again to the Philippines to train where Roach trained Manny Pacquiao is again. Khan seems to be looking aT cosmetic issues but a 5-1 betting favorite who gets flattened is bound to second guess himself and his entire camp. I think Khan will regain world title status again but the one thing that can’t be fixed is his less than granite jaw. Still, the Bolton Lad makes for ring excitement and he’s no quitter. He should avoid an anytime soon Garcia rematch, even in the UK. If lost to Garcia a second time, it could be curtains. Curse his chin, I’m sure Khan does. But give the man an ovation for his warrior’s heart. No one dare question Khan’s bottle.
