SEAHAWKS MEGA-DEAL FOR WILSON
VIRGIL HUNTER watched Amir Khan walk into the gym alone, carrying his bag, and smiled to himself.
It may look no big deal, but, for Hunter, it tells him everything he needs to know about Khan’s mindset as he prepares to challenge the unbeaten Terence Crawford.
It shows him that Khan is serious and focused on the huge task ahead of him in Madison Square Garden.
Gone are Khan’s pals, family and hangers-on, who used to ferry him to and from training, carrying all his gear.
“He used to come with friends and have distractions, but now he’s coming to the gym by himself, carrying his own bag,” said Hunter.
“I always say if you carry your own bag, you’re your own person. He’s focused.”
Khan, 32, has kept it simple during his preparations for Crawford and has only had his wife Faryal and baby daughter Alayna staying with him in camp.
He says self-reliance is important because no one can help him in the ring.
“Carrying the bag is a symbol,” said Khan. “There are Olympic and world champions in our gym, walking in and out every day, but we have to be very humble.
“Sometimes when you have a big team, you start relying on people. But when you go in the ring, you’re on your own.
“I’ve seen a big change in my attitude. Maybe five or six years ago, I was a cocky, young kid, who had everything very young.
“I loved cars and watches and was suddenly able to afford them. I might have come across as cocky because I wanted to show them off.
“The perception people got was very different. Hopefully, I have changed a lot of people’s minds.” RUSSELL WILSON became the highestpaid player in NFL history – then announced his $140million (£107m) deal by video while in bed with his wife. The Seattle Seahawks handed the 30-year-old quarterback (left) a four-year extension, including a $65m (£50m) signing bonus. And Wilson immediately took to Twitter, posting a video message to fans, with wife Ciara in his arms. He told Seahawks supporters: “Hey Seattle, we got a deal. Go Hawks. But I’ma see y’all in the morning. Time for y’all to go to bed.”
Wilson’s annual average of $35m (£26.8m) tops the extension signed last summer by Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers at $33.5m (£25.6m).
Wilson is coming off his best year as a pro, with 35 touchdowns last season.