Amir Khan will fight twice in 2013 after Showtime deal

Posted on December 19, 2012 by adminsports

Khan will fight twice in 2013 with first bout in April after striking Showtime deal

UPDATED:

20:29 GMT, 18 December 2012

Amir Khan will return to the ring in April – and fight just twice next year – after signing a deal with Showtime in the United States.

The 26-year-old ended a run of two successive defeats by stopping Carlos Molina last Saturday and could target rematches with Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson in 2013.

Molina was retired by his corner after the tenth round having suffered a nasty cut around his left eye during the fight in Los Angeles.

Signed up: Amir Khan (left) will fight twice in 2013 after deal with Showtime

‘It was offered to us and to Amir, and we liked the terms and decided to do it,’ Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN. ‘We want to do big fights with Amir and so does Showtime.

‘There could be a rematch with Danny Garcia, but there are also other big names.

‘Maybe a rematch with Lamont Peterson, maybe a Victor Ortiz, Devon Alexander or Andre Berto, when Amir moves up to welterweight.’

Khan’s schedule has been designed to fit around his wedding in April and to allow him to observe Ramadan.

Timetables: Khan's schedule operates around his wedding and Ramadan

Schaefer also confirmed that Khan’s hands were not fractured following his emphatic victory.

‘He got his hands checked out because they were swollen, but nothing seems to be broken,’ he added.

‘He is excited about the deal and we discussed some of the different possibilities for him next year.’

Amir Khan sets sights on Danny Garcia revenge mission after blowing away Carlos Molina

Posted on December 16, 2012 by adminsports

Khan sets sights on Garcia revenge mission after blowing away Molina in LA

UPDATED:

14:50 GMT, 16 December 2012

Amir Khan has targeted a revenge fight with Danny Garcia after his cool and calculated performance in beating Carlos Molina.

Khan knew nothing less than victory would do after losing against Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia in the last 12 months.

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Powering on: Amir Khan lands a punch on Carlos Molina during their super-lightweight title bout in Los Angeles

Back on track: Khan shows off his belt after brushing aside Molina

There was no such upset at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, though, as the former unified light-welterweight world champion produced a measured, mature performance to break down unfancied Molina and prompt his corner to pull him out after the 10th round.

Khan's 26-3 (18KOs) record bore the scars of a turbulent year which the fighter himself admitted was the worst of his professional life. Molina, meanwhile, was unbeaten – with 17 wins and a draw – but also untested, having campaigned mainly at the lower lightweight division.

The form book suggested the apparently light-punching Californian was the perfect opponent in this 12-round fight for the vulnerable Khan, who still bristles at suggestions his punch resistance is weak.

Returning in style: Khan lands a right hand on Molina at the Los Angeles Sports Arena

Bouncing back: Khan proved too strong for the previously-unbeaten Molina

After being given a largely hostile welcome by the largely Latin American crowd, Khan stayed true to his pre-fight vow that he would be more patient.

He moved forward in measured bursts, landing shots before coming out of the way and breaking his outclassed opponent down.

'I thought I stuck to my gameplan and was keeping faith in my jab,' he said. 'Carlos took some really good shots but was still coming forward, so I thought to myself 'I'd better stick to this gameplan'.

'Virgil Hunter, my new coach, is a great trainer and I'm getting better at boxing, being a complete fighter. He's teaching me things, like speed, patience, picking the right shots and when to throw them. Sometimes I'm too brave for my own good but now I know it is better to stick to a gameplan.'

Khan, who lost to Garcia in July, added: “I'm my own biggest critic after a loss and I always ask “what did I do wrong, why did I make those mistakes” In the Garcia fight he caught me with a good shot but I'll fight Danny Garcia again anytime, anywhere.'

Delight: Khan's team rush in to celebrate with their fighter after Molina's struggle was halted

Hands up who's back: Khan was all smiles at the end of the contest

Molina was quick to hold his hands up and give credit to the better man.

'I don't know what happened,' he said. 'I wanted to pull the trigger but for some reason I couldn't get my hands to go. I had a lack of precision. He was fast with his jab and I was hesitant, trying to get in because he has a long reach.

'I didn't use my jab and I lost my undefeated record. I felt like I connected two or three times but not from the right distance to reconnect after I wobbled him. I'm going to go back, work hard and get back into the ring.'

Khan was patient throughout, refusing to stand and trade for extended periods. Instead he landed trademark lightning-fast combinations before utilising his footwork to get out of harm's way.

Even Molina was arguably still in with a puncher's chance but after another round of one-way traffic in the 10th, the American was spared further futile punishment and the win was Khan's.

VIDEO: Amir Kahn: 'trainer changed me…'

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Amir Khan beats Carlos Molina

Posted on December 16, 2012 by adminsports

Khan gets career back on track after stopping Molina in Los Angeles but British star 'fractures' both hands in emphatic win

UPDATED:

14:52 GMT, 16 December 2012

Amir Khan took the first step towards regaining a world title with a stoppage win over previously unbeaten Carlos Molina in a fight he had admitted was 'make or break' following two devastating defeats.

Bolton native Khan knew nothing less than victory would do after losing against Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia over the last 12 months.

There was no such upset at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena but Khan was left with two fractured hands after a dominant performance.

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Flush: Amir Khan was on top from the first bell as Carlos Molina found himself overwhelmed

Amir Khan connects with Carlos Molina

Saj Mohamed, a member of Khan's team, tweeted: 'Ouch @AmirKingKhan Both hands Fractured! Molina was one tough cookie.'

Khan's 26-3 (18KOs) record bore the scars of a turbulent year which the fighter himself admitted was the worst of his professional life.

Molina, meanwhile, was unbeaten – with 17 wins and a draw – but also untested, having campaigned mainly at the lower lightweight division.

$Price of success: Khan was reported to have fractured both hands during his victory over Molina$

Price of success: Khan was reported to have fractured both hands during his victory over Molina

Through the gate: Molina did manage to land on Khan but the Bolton boxer withstood the punches

Carlos Molina sits in his corner after the ninth round

Amir Khan

Sore one: A cut opened around Molina's left eye early in the fight which caused him problems throughout

After being given a largely hostile welcome by the largely Latin American crowd, Khan stayed true to his pre-fight vow that he would be more patient.

The Briton moved forward in measured bursts, landing shots before coming out of the way. He cut Molina with his best shot of the round, a straight, driven right hand which looked responsible for cutting Molina over the left eye. A right to the body then closed the first round nicely for Khan.

A jab and left hook early in the second worked well for Khan as he started well – as he had done against Peterson and Garcia too.

Relentless: Khan used his jab effectively to keep Molina at bay and launch his combinations

Sore one: A cut opened beneath Molina's left eye early in the fight

A left-right landed hard but Molina finally countered with shots of his own, forcing his attacker to think twice for a moment. The local man thudded in two jabs and a right hand which Khan shook off well before the bell.

Molina was beginning to look a little more aggressive by the third and caught Khan on the ropes for the first time. Khan was winning the rounds and left hooks to head then body represented decent success in the fourth.

The crowd were excited by the burst of action that followed as Khan fired at will before swallowing a left hook from the American.

Over and out: The fight was stopped when Molina's corner felt he had suffered enough

Referee Jack Reiss stops the fight between Amir Khan and Carlos Molina

The former champion landed a jab, straight right and right uppercut as referee Jack Reiss had a quick look at Molina's wound.

A three-punch combination culminating in a reaching uppercut was Khan's best work in a quieter fifth. Molina landed a crude but hard left hook and wild right in the sixth while Khan produced another flurry to back his man up.

Khan worked his way in with shots on the inside and caught the eye with a number of spiteful left hooks broken up by another uppercut. Again, though, he failed to put a dent in his man but even the pro-Molina crowd were enjoying much of his work.

Khan mixed things up somewhat in the ninth, a right to the body preceding a pause and then a superb left hook from range. A left-right jolted Molina late in the round.

New era: Khan will hope to fight for a world title next year after his win in Los Angeles

New era: Khan will hope to fight for a world title next year after his win

Even Molina was arguably still in with a puncher's chance but after another round of one-way traffic in the 10th, the American was spared further futile punishment and the win was Khan's.

Khan said: 'I thought I stuck to my gameplan and was keeping faith in my jab. Carlos took some really good shots but was still coming forward, so I thought to myself, “I'd better stick to this gameplan”.

'Virgil Hunter is a great trainer and I'm getting better at boxing, being a complete fighter. He's teaching me things, like speed, patience, picking the right shots and when to throw them.

'Sometimes I'm too brave for my own good but now I know it is better to stick to a gameplan.'

VIDEO: Amir Khan: 'trainer changed me…'

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Amir Khan aims for world title after beating Carlos Molina – Jeff Powell

Posted on December 16, 2012 by adminsports

JEFF POWELL: King Khan is back on track and showing the world his exciting natural talent… but he will have to wait for title shot

UPDATED:

15:16 GMT, 16 December 2012

Next stop the world. So says Amir Khan after laying waste to a neighbourhood of east Los Angeles on Saturday night.

Maybe so, now that he has pulled back from the edge of the fiscal cliff which was threatening his future as much as the financial recession is jeopardising the American economy.

One false step here and he would have plunged into chaos.

Now he says: ‘I will be the champ again soon.’.

Scroll down for video

Flush: Amir Khan was on top from the first bell as Carlos Molina found himself overwhelmed

Amir Khan connects with Carlos Molina
KHAN IN 2013

Amir Khan’s three-fight calendar for 2013 is now shaping up like this:

March/April v Josesito Lopez to fine tune trainer Virgil Hunter’s game plan.

June/July v Danny Garcia in a world light-welterweight title re-match.

November/December v Lamont Peterson in re-match to become undisputed 10 stone champion, given Olympic standard drugs testing.

Maybe so since Danny Garcia, who knocked Khan off his perch with a left hook from hell earlier this year, appears willing to risk the lengthy odds against him landing that sucker punch again in a re-match.

Garcia and his mind-games father, Angel, were still in bullish mood after watching Khan beat Carlos Molina to pulp in the LA Sports Arena.

The Garcias had just seen the Bolton express land enough bolts of lightning to generate a year’s electricity for Molina’s impoverished home district not far from the LA Sports Arena but remained obdurately unimpressed.

‘We’ll fight Khan again and knock him out again,’ they said .’Even though we know that if he had beaten us he would never have given us a re-match.’

$Price of success: Khan was reported to have fractured both hands during his victory over Molina$

Price of success: Khan was reported to have fractured both hands during his victory over Molina

Through the gate: Molina did manage to land on Khan but the Bolton boxer withstood the punches

Carlos Molina sits in his corner after the ninth round

Amir Khan

Sore one: A cut opened around Molina's left eye early in the fight which caused him problems throughout

Maybe not. Khan has battened down his defences and acquired self-restraint in his first camp with new trainer Virgil Hunter.

But he has done so without
sacrificing the blistering hand speed or dynamic intensity which
hallmark one of the most exciting talents in the prize-ring today.

And yes, we are talking here about
Khan, at just turned 26, despite the flaws he is grafting to eradicate
from his game and the detractors who are so quick to pounce on his
inconsistencies.

There is no more exciting natural
talent in boxing right now, even though Khan will be required to prove
as much against opponents more formidable than prize-fighting’s version
of the Hobbit who came shuffling out of the opposite corner this
weekend.

Relentless: Khan used his jab effectively to keep Molina at bay and launch his combinations

Sore one: A cut opened beneath Molina's left eye early in the fight

They say punch-bags don’t hit back
but the diminutive Molina proved to be the exception, albeit not often
enough to prevent him losing all ten of the scheduled twelve rounds
before his corner men called a humane halt to the one-side proceedings.

This peon praise for Khan’s
renaissance after two successive but peculiar losses has to be qualified
by Molina’s limitations of size, ability, experience and hitting
power.

Yet they also say that you can do no
more than obliterate whoever is put in front of you. Khan did that in
overwhelming style and Britain should not lose the faith with its most
prominent and courageous ambassador for Anglo-Islam relations.

Molina had been hand-picked as a
stepping-stone towards Khan’s rehabilitation but he still had to be
beaten and the pot-shots he fired in retaliation had to be weathered as
evidence that the chin in a question is not fatally Achillean after all.

Over and out: The fight was stopped when Molina's corner felt he had suffered enough

Referee Jack Reiss stops the fight between Amir Khan and Carlos Molina

The new Khan we had been promised
boxed with enough self-control and adherence to a less hazardous game
plan to suggest that our former world light-welterweight champion can
reclaim his place among the elite, and he had two fractured hands to show for his night's work.

Although the world championship he wants back may not come quite as soon as he is predicting.
Khan said; ‘I will fight Garcia again whenever and wherever he wants.’
The feeling is mutual, even if the money is doing much of the talking
when Danny boy says: 'I’m open to a second fight.’

But Garcia is scheduled to defend his
unified title against Zab Judah in February so the re-match with Khan
will have to wait at least until June or July. Khan will plug the gap
with another confidence building bout in March or April, before marrying
his fiance in May.

Suddenly the mists of doubt have cleared and the sun is shining on Khan again.

New era: Khan will hope to fight for a world title next year after his win in Los Angeles

New era: Khan will hope to fight for a world title next year after his win

That warmth should help heal the
damage to the right hand, which he feared he had broken in hitting
Molina so often. The pain came as a reminder of his ex-trainer Freddie
Roach’s assertion that Khan has a recurrent problem there.

Not that Molina would have noticed.
So sharp and rapid were the multi-punch combinations with which Khan hit
him repeatedly that as early as the second round Molina’s face looked
as if a saucepan of boiling water had been thrown over it.

/12/16/article-0-16897E64000005DC-805_634x337.jpg” width=”634″ height=”337″ alt=”Looking to the future: Amir Khan and his trainer Virgil Hunter are looking at a world title shot in 2013″ class=”blkBorder” />

Looking to the future: Amir Khan and his trainer Virgil Hunter are looking at a world title shot in 2013

Khan had boxed with smarter attention
to trainer’s orders but for we who delight in watching him it was
reassuring to see that his warrior instincts will never be tamed
altogether.

He said: ‘I expect to become an even more complete boxer after more fights under Virgil.’

Hunter said: ‘He is on his way again to becoming a truly great boxer.’

Golden Boy promoter Richard Schaefer,
whose belief and investment in Khan had been redeemed, went further: ‘I
have always been convinced that Amir will be the best pound-for-pound
boxer in the world.’

First things first.

Our boy is back. Well, back on track if not all the way back to the top quite yet.

King Khan, as he is called, is
looking like a Prince of the ring again, which is no small achievement
for one who was sliding towards that precipice prior to this Saturday
night in the City of the Angels.

VIDEO: Amir Khan: 'trainer changed me…'

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Manchester United Christmas party pictures – The Red Devils are Christmas angels

Posted on December 16, 2012 by adminsports

The Red Devils are Christmas angels as United stars toe party line

UPDATED:

00:35 GMT, 16 December 2012

Manchester United's players were on their best behaviour on Saturday night as they enjoyed a low-key Christmas party, under strict orders from manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Hours after beating Sunderland 3-1 to hold a six-point lead over title rivals Manchester City, Robin van Persie, Ryan Giggs and Ashley Young led the festive celebrations at Rio Ferdinand's Italian restaurant, Rosso, in Manchester.

But there was no sign of Wayne Rooney.

Manchester United Team mates arriving at Rio Ferdinands Italian restaurant, Rosso

Christmas cheer: Ryan Giggs (left) and Robin van Persie (right)

Cracking time: Rio Ferdinand, Alexander Buttner and Van Persie

The England striker had missed last year's get-together to watch boxer Amir Khan lose his title fight against Lamont Peterson at home on TV.

And Rooney may have decided to stay in again on Saturday night as Khan was due to fight Carlos Molina in Los Angeles.

For years United's players celebrated the festive season by visiting a number of pubs and bars in Manchester.

But Ferguson called time on the benders after his players partied with over 80 women during a 15-hour boozing marathon in 2007.

Manchester United Team mates arriving at Rio Ferdinands Italian restaurant, Rosso in Manchester City centre for their Christmas party

All booked: The United party could be sure to to get a table at Rio Ferdinand's restaurant in Manchester

Manchester United Team mates arriving at Rio Ferdinands Italian restaurant, Rosso

Amir Khan v Carlos Molina: Danny Garcia"s racist dad won"t stop me this time

Posted on December 12, 2012 by adminsports

Khan: There's no way Garcia's racist dad will stop me beating Molina

UPDATED:

01:12 GMT, 12 December 2012

Amir Khan is such a changed young man that not even the provocative presence of Danny Garcia’s offensive father in the opposite corner here on Saturday night will ruffle his new-found maturity.

That is just one of the promises that Khan is making – to his new trainer, his fans and himself – as he strives to put his career back on track by ending Carlos Molina’s unbeaten record in ‘what has become the most important fight of my life.’

The Americans are trying to inflame Khan by drafting in Garcia Snr, whose racist insults caused our boy from Bolton to lose his head – almost literally – in the second of the successive defeats which have knocked him off his world championship throne and into resurrection mode.

No chance: Amir Khan is determined to defeat Carlos Molina

It is a mischievous move by Team Molina but Khan says: ‘You will see a different, more mature me in this fight.

'I let Danny’s Dad get to me and I went to punish them with a knock-out too quickly, instead of continuing to break him down, and got caught with a punch from nowhere.

‘That’s why Molina has brought him in but it won’t happen this time. I’ve grown up and nothing will take my focus off my boxing.

'I will be smart and pick my moments to go for the finish. Just as I am insisting on random blood testing for drugs before all my fights, so that I don’t suffer again the way I did in the previous defeat by Lamont Peterson,who we found was on steroids.’

The calming presence of the new trainer – the prodigious Andre Ward’s mentor Virgil Hunter – has played a major part in these rationales. But so has the unexpected fate which befell Khan’s friend and former stable-mate Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Khan was speaking in the aftermath of the PacMan’s seismic knock-out by the suddenly muscular Juan Manuel Marquez.

Focused: Khan is looking to bounce back with victory over the unbeaten fighter

Knockout: Khan is trying to get his career back on track after the devastating knockout

He said: ‘I believe every boxer should submit to Olympic style testing, not only before fights but all year round. Molina agreed for this fight and we both gave blood about five times during our training camps.

‘But it’s not only the drugs testing. Manny and I were both on the wrong end of big knock-outs because we went lunging in for the quick KO ourselves instead of going through the process. We are both great attacking fighters but not so hot defensively.

‘My natural instinct is to fight but I’ve learned from this experience that I must control that impulse.’

Khan, who was widely criticised after falling to Garcia for his presumption in talking up a future mega-fight against Floyd Mayweather, added: ‘I’ve also learned not to look past the fight in front of me. I know that I simply cannot afford another defeat. I have to concentrate on the job in hand.’

That focus excludes any forward notion of going up a division – to full welterweight – to answer the public challenge from fellow Englishman Kell Brook. Khan is not interested in adding poundage ‘until I’ve come back to clean up at 14O lbs ….even if Brook does win a world title when he fights Devon Alexander her in LA next month. It will be well into next year before I even think of moving up again.’

In conversation: Khan chats to Sportsmail's Jeff Powell earlier this year

That purging process at light-welter will required him to avenge the Garcia KO and that re-match is likely to be the one he seeks next assuming he overcomes Molina ‘even though I don’t think Danny will take it because I was beating him up until he landed that one big shot.’

He adds: ‘Of course I want to mix it again with the best in the world in due course….but not until I’ve re-established myself.’

In truth, Khan has never been as arrogant as he has been perceived in some quarters and it has been more important to acquire this maturity he now sees in himself. Not humility.

Carlos Molina is not alone in wondering and waiting to see the new Amir Khan enter the Los Angeles Arena.

Amir Khan v Carlos Molina: Fans invited to exchange toys for tickets

Posted on December 11, 2012 by adminsports

Amir's toy story! Fans asked to exchange gifts in return for tickets to Khan fight in LA

UPDATED:

13:22 GMT, 11 December 2012

Fight fans have been offered free tickets to watch Amir Khan's return the ring in Los Angeles this Saturday… in exchange for an unwrapped toy.

Ticket sales have reportedly been slow for the former world light-welterweight champion's comeback clash against Carlos Molina.

But Khan's American Golden Boy promoters want to make a full house at the 17,000 LA Memorial Sports Arena this weekend and have engineered a scheme that will see fans handed tickets – worth as much as 100 – to the the fight in exchange for a unopened toy priced as little as 15.

Golden Boy chief Oscar De La Hoya has come up with the giveaway idea to give to deprived families in time for Christmas.

Amir Khan makes his return to the ring in Los Angeles this weekend

You've got a friend in me: Fight fans are being encouraged to trade toys – like the ones from the film Toy Story (below) – for tickets to Khan's fight against Molina

You've got a friend in me: Fight fans are being encouraged to trade toys - like the ones from the film Toy Story - for tickets to Amir Khan's fight against Carlos Molina

'I am looking forward to distributing the toys to those families who need them most,' said De La Hoya, speaking to The Sun.

Khan, meanwhile, has vowed to reinvent himself as 'a totally different fighter' when he aims to bounce back from two successive defeats.

A year ago the Bolton fighter controversially lost his WBA title to Lamont Peterson, only to be subsequently reinstated when it emerged the American had been using synthetic testosterone.

However, he lost his next fight too when Danny Garcia knocked him silly in a fourth-round stoppage win in Las Vegas in July.

The Garcia defeat brought about much soul-searching before the Englishman made the tough decision to leave renowned trainer Freddie Roach and join forces with another Californian, Virgil Hunter.

Khan's questionable punch resistance and over-zealous attacking instincts point towards the need for a change in approach and the fighter himself admits there has been plenty to work on under Hunter, who boasts a stellar reputation having guided Andre Ward to pound-for-pound recognition.

'Training with Virgil's been going really well,' the 26-year-old said ahead of his scrap with undefeated Californian Molina.

Return: Khan is looking to bounce back following his defeat by Danny Garcia in July

'The gym is quiet, it's chilled, you can think about what you're doing.

'For example when I'm sitting in the gym, or warming up, I can think things through about what I want to do in the session or the sparring. I can think things through, whereas previous gyms I've trained at have been very busy with lots of people there.

'Sometimes it's a distraction because you can't really focus on what you need to focus on.

'Virgil is a great trainer. He breaks everything down and every day he reminds me what I need to do, what I need to work on and what mistakes I make which need improving on.'

Khan was in control against Garcia before leaving himself exposed and being taken apart by the Philadelphian's power shots. The 2004 Olympic silver medalist insists he will use that experience, combined with Hunter's input, to right those wrongs.

Change of plans: Khan (R) has prepared for his upcoming fight against Molina with new trainer, Virgil Hunter

'We've sat down and watched the Garcia fight together and we've been working on some new stuff from that, including being more patient and waiting for the right shots at the right time and not over-committing myself,' he said.

'When I watch the Garcia fight, I can see that I'm like a totally different fighter. Virgil said to me when we watched it again “now you tell me what you're doing wrong in the fight and what you'd do differently now” and so I told him.

'It shows that the sparring I've been doing and the training I'm getting is helping me. I'm a better fighter by far because I would not fight Garcia the way I did. I've changed my fighting style a lot and proves I'm doing something right.

'We're ready for this guy.'

Amir Khan: Freddie Roach"s Parkinson"s disease not to blame for defeats

Posted on November 2, 2012 by adminsports

Khan: Roach's Parkinson's disease is NOT to blame for defeats… they are my fault

UPDATED:

18:01 GMT, 1 November 2012

Amir Khan has defended himself in the face of strong criticism for appearing to blame Freddie Roach's Parkinson's disease for his split from the trainer.

Former undisputed light-welterweight champion Khan and Roach parted company in the wake of his defeat by Danny Garcia in August and the 25-year-old has since appointed Virgil Hunter as his coach.

Speaking in promotion of his fight against Carlos Molina in Los Angeles on December 15, Khan stated that Roach's ability to train was being impaired by his illness.

Glory days: Amir Khan (right) with former trainer Freddie Roach (left)

'It's hard to see him older and getting worse. I wish him the best,' he said.
'Freddie, with the Parkinson's disease, he was struggling with instructions and couldn't move as well.'

But Khan has used his Twitter account to clarify his comments, stressing he does not hold Roach accountable for his losses to Lamont Peterson and Garcia.

'Hey guys I didn't say Freddie Roach is a bad trainer, he's one of the best out there and took my career to a high winning two world titles,' Khan said.

'I blame myself for the losses in my career. Not blaming Freddie Roach or anyone. I just needed a change.'

Next up: Khan is busy promoting his next fight against Carlos Molina

Roach responded by stating his Parkinson's was not the cause of his split from Khan.

'If that was true, why would he say to me fire Manny Pacquiao and Julio Chavez Jr, and they'll keep me Him, his father, his lawyer and his uncle all said that,' he said.

'It had nothing to do with Parkinson's. They know that. And I wish them the best of luck.'

Sir Alex Ferguson ban Manchester United Christmas party

Posted on October 25, 2012 by adminsports

Bah, humbug! Ebenezer Fergie poised to scrap Manchester United's Christmas party

UPDATED:

10:51 GMT, 25 October 2012

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to put a ban on this season's Christmas party.

The Old Trafford club, who came from two goals down to beat Braga on Tuesday night, usually celebrate the festive season by visiting a number of pubs and bars in Manchester.

But after seeing the 2007 Christmas party end with Jonny Evans arrested over claims of rape – allegations upon which the United defender was never charged – Ferguson doesn't want to take any risks this year.

Ban: United's players will be forced into a low-key event this season

A source is quoted in the Daily Star as saying: 'Sir Alex is banning all boozy bashes this year, saying it will be a low-key dinner and nothing more.

'Fergie's also insisting the players bring their wives and girlfriends. 'The last thing he wants to see is his squad lording round the city, chatting to girls and wafting 50 notes at the bar.'

The Xmas gathering is likely to follow in the same vein as last year's festivities which was described by one source as the 'quietest Christmas party anyone can remember'.

Wayne Rooney didn't even bother to
turn up, with the England international preferring to spend his evening
watching boxer Amir Khan lose his title fight against Lamont Peterson at
home on TV.

The soiree was
a far cry from that of 2007 when United's players partied with over 80
women following a 15-hour boozing marathon which left Ferguson fuming.

No risk: Ferguson doesn't want to see a repeat of the scenes which marred the Christmas party in 2007

The 70-year-old Scot appears to have learned his lesson by making this year's event a quiet affair.

United sit four points adrift of Chelsea, who occupy the summit of the
Barclays Premier League, after suffering two defeats in their opening
eight games.

The Old
Trafford club has suffered somewhat of a defensive crisis this term
falling behind eight times in their last 12 outings.

Bad memories: The United squad went on a 15-hour bender in 2007

Bad memories: The United squad went on a 15-hour boozing marathon in 2007

They've also conceded on average 1.25 goals a game compared to 0.33 at the same stage five seasons ago.

Ferguson's side however, have the opportunity to close the gap to Chelsea to just one point on Sunday when they travel to London to face their Premier League rivals.

The game will mark a testing six days for United with the Manchester club facing Chelsea again in the fourth round of the Carling Cup on Wednesday before hosting Arsenal in the lunch-time kick-off at Old Trafford on November 3.

Amir Khan to fight Carlos Molina

Posted on September 29, 2012 by adminsports

Khan to return against Molina as ex-world champion confirms Hunter appointment

UPDATED:

10:37 GMT, 29 September 2012

Amir Khan will fight Carlos Molina in December as he bids to get his career back on track following a knockout defeat to Danny Garcia.

The 25-year-old has suffered two consecutive defeats after losing to Lamont Peterson last year although the Washington fighter later failed a drugs test which saw the rematch scrapped.

Khan also confirmed Sportsmail's exclusive that he has appointed Virgil Hunter as his new trainer following his split from Freddie Roach.

Blow: Amir Khan lost his world title fight with Danny Garcia

Molina, 26, has had 18 fights since turning professional in 2007, winning 17 and drawing one.

He outpointed Marcos Leonardo Jimenez in June to win the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title but has never gone beyond ten rounds.

The Mexican-American has not stopped an opponent in almost three years which suggests Khan's camp have made a sensible decision in avoiding another hard hitter.

Khan, who will be based in Oakland, north California while under the tutelage of Hunter, is expected to fight in America, rather than in England. His last contest on home soil was against Paul McCloskey in April 2011.

His bout with Molina will take place on December 1 or December 15.

'Molina is a good fighter, who has yet to taste defeat, so I know that he will be very dangerous,' Khan said.

'He's a tricky fighter who possess a lot of natural speed. I always want
to face hungry young fighters and in Molina I'm up against a guy who
has ambitions of world title success.'

'I'm really pleased that Virgil Hunter is to become my new trainer,” Khan added.

'Everyone in boxing knows about his skills and the success he has
enjoyed over the last few years. I'm looking forward to the start of my
training camp and working on some new things with him.

'With Virgil in my corner, I know that I can get back to the very top of the light-welterweight division.'

All change: Khan has joined forces with renowned trainer Virgil Hunter (left)

Hunter was last year voted as the trainer of the year by America's
boxing writers and is responsible for the continued rise of super-middleweight champion Andre Ward

He believes his new partnership can be a fruitful
one.

'Amir is an extremely talented fighter and I'm very happy to become his new trainer,' he said.

'I've seen a lot of him and he has many attributes such as his speed and
heart. There are certain small aspects of his game that I'm intending
to work on in order to help him fulfil his enormous potential.'

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