Khan’s back and he feels right at home
AMIR Khan makes his longawaited return to the ring tonight – and after several years stateside, he now wants to fight in the UK for the rest of his career.
The Bolton boxer competes for the first time since his defeat to Canelo Alvarez in May 2016 when he faces Phil Lo Greco at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
It is also Khan’s first fight in the UK in nearly five years, but he plans on finishing his career by having all of his remaining fights in Britain.
“Boxing is massive over here now. I’ve fought all over the US. Now it’s time to come back home and finish my career here and have some big fights here,” he said.
“There’s some big names here, let’s start selling out stadiums.
“To do that we have to come home, get the fight with Lo Greco out of the way and then in the future there’s fights that can sell out stadiums.
“British boxing is on a high now. When I went to America, British boxing wasn’t that big. Fighters didn’t want to come here to fight me but now it’s the opposite and things have changed.”
One potential future fight for Khan is long-term domestic rival Kell Brook, who will be ringside for the fight against Lo Greco tonight.
“I respect Kell as a fighter, he won’t be scared but he might think twice about taking the fight when he sees me tonight,” said Khan.
“Imagine the Kell Brook fight at Wembley – there are big names in the welterweight and light-middleweight division. I still feel I have that power to sell-out stadiums.”
Before Khan can think about those future big fights, he has to defeat Lo Greco tonight, and he is confident he’ll pick up an impressive victory.
“I am going to be smart, box well and not take too many shots. My camp has been really hard. Lo Greco may say he has sparred 170 rounds but he won’t have trained as hard as me. Changing trainers has made me work even harder because I have had to impress two people,” he said.
“However, he wants to make the fight, there will be only one winner.”
Meanwhile, Carl Frampton is also in action tonight as he fights Nonito Donaire in Belfast.
Frampton is trained by Jamie Moore at his gym in Astley, and will be looking to win the interim WBO featherweight title.