KING OF THE HILL ..TOP OF THE HEAP
Khan’s chequered career goes full circle by returning to New York and he says: This is a huge chance for me.. I’m going to show the world that I deserve to be back where I belong
AMIR KHAN insists he has no regrets, back where it all started for him in America.
Nine years ago, his then new American promoter Golden Boy, took him up the Empire State Building to crown him King Khan (below) before his US debut in the theatre at Madison Square Garden.
Golden Boy had big hopes for Khan, who was already the WBA light-welterweight champion, and expected him to clean up the division before stepping up to win more world titles at 147lb.
It did not work out that way and although he won the IBF crown in 2011, he lost his belts by 2012 and has not held a world title since.
Khan returns to the Garden to face unbeaten threeweight world champ Terence
Crawford tonight in what could be his last big US fight with trainer Virgil
Hunter claiming the 32-year-old from Bolton has not realised his full potential.
Khan disagrees and insists he has achieved all the goals he had when he turned professional in 2005.
“Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I’ve achieved exactly what I thought I would. I’ve not overachieved, but I’ve achieved what I wanted.
“Even if I leave the game after this fight, I’ll have achieved everything I wanted from this sport, fighting in the biggest venues, fighting the biggest names, fighting for titles and pound-forpound titles, winning a world title.
“I’ve done more than I ever imagined. More than that, I’ve experienced having my face up on Times Square and in lights on The Strip in Las Vegas.”
Khan acknowledges he made mistakes, notably fighting Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in 2016. That ended in a brutal KO which almost finished his career, but Khan (above, working out in New York), says he would not change anything.
“I don’t really regret anything,” he said. “However my career has gone, I try not to have regrets.
“I’ve learned from every fight, trainer and gym, and good or bad, I have always learned something new.”
Khan’s attitude shows a fighter at peace with himself as he nears the end of his career.
He knows he may only have a couple of fights left and is determined to seize his chance to cement his legacy against Crawford.
Crawford has had the career expected for Khan, the American winning six world titles at three different weights to be acclaimed No.2 in the pound-forpound rankings.
Khan said: “This is a huge chance for me and I’m going to show the world how good I am and where I belong. It would mean everything for my legacy.”
Khan is a massive underdog and him shocking Crawford would easily be one of the biggest upsets by a British boxer.
He may enjoy some success early on with his speed because Crawford is a slow starter, but expect the super-slick switch-hitting champion then to dominate.
One thing certain is Khan will come to fight and that is why, nine years on from his US debut here, he is still big box office.