Goossen’s wowed by ‘thoroughbred’ Amir
AMIR KHAN is the boxing thoroughbred that trainer Joe Goossen has always wanted to work with.
And the veteran California-based coach believes he now has his hands on the fastest “racehorse” he has ever trained.
Goossen has been involved in the sport for decades and has held the reins of some fine fighters, including Diego Corrales, Shane Mosley, Joel Casamayor and Michael Nunn.
Khan, 31, asked to join his stable before his clash with Phil Lo Greco in April after former coach Virgil Hunter fell ill.
Goossen believes there is plenty left in the tank of former world champion Khan in the final furlongs of his career as he prepares to face outsider Samuel Vargas in Birmingham tomorrow. The American said: “I just thought out of all the guys who were shifting from here to there, he was the only guy I’d really like to train. I knew I had something to offer him. There are a lot of guys who are just tremendous athletes and can win and win and win up to a certain point.
“Then, if they have been working on certain things along the way, along with their natural abilities, that’s just one thing.
“But with Amir I always said that if someone just worked with him on a little bit of this and a little bit of that he would probably stay out of harm’s way a little bit better.
Blistering
“I’m talking about some defensive subtleties. If you imbue that with what he already does, you could have a real racehorse coming down to the finish line.”
Khan has been known for his blistering hand speed since he burst on the scene at just 17 to win an Olympic Games silver medal at Athens 2004.
And that has been his best weapon in the professional game, where he has won two world titles at light-welterweight and now aims to claim one at welterweight.
Goossen said: “He’s the fastest guy I have ever trained,
without a doubt. I’ve had several Olympians, I’ve had gold medal winners, I had Joel Casamayor, who is considered one of the greatest ever, Diego Corrales was as fast as anyone too.
“Michael Nunn, one of the greatest racehorses I ever had... this guy was unbelievable, he could throw a sevenpunch combination in a blink second. But Amir Khan takes the cake.
“He’s left me going, ‘Wow’ a few times, and to impress me is not easy to do after all these jaded years.”
Goossen is now expected to be by Khan’s side in the final part of the British star’s career as he aims for a defining fight, with Manny Pacquiao and Kell Brook in his sights.
The American, brother of the late boxing promoter Dan, is known for wearing denim jeans, jackets and flamboyant shirts in the corner.
But he has had to leave them in the dressing room when in Khan’s corner because of British Boxing Board of Control rules on tracksuits only for coaches.
He added: “When in Rome, do like the Romans. If they want me to wear proper attire as a cornerman, I will do it. I’ll go along to get along on this.
“Maybe someone will change the rules one day, but it is not like I am wearing sloppy denim. I pay a pretty penny for this stuff.”