Amir Khan drops Canada’s Phil Lo Greco in 39 seconds in triumphant return

Amir Khan made a blistering return to the ring by beating Phil Lo Greco by knockout inside 39 seconds at Liverpool’s Echo Arena. The 31-year-old had not fought for two years, since being beaten by Saul “Canelo” lvarez in Las Vegas in May 2016, and he made up for lost time by knocking the Canadian Lo Greco down twice in the early stages. Khan, in his first bout on British soil since a points victory over -ulio Diaz five years ago, sent Lo Greco to the canvas with a swift one-two combination inside the opening 30 seconds. The super-welterweight contest was over moments later as the Briton’s devastating hand speed pinned his opponent up against the ropes to ensure it was over moments after it had started. It meant Khan delivered an emphatic statement to Kell Brook, who was watching on from ringside, before a possible all-British grudge match between the two Matchroom stablemates. This was the first of a three-fight deal Khan had signed with Eddie Hearn and his promoter had conceded his fighter could not afford a fifth defeat on his record. That never looked likely and there was no evidence of any ring rust from Khan either after he changed to the trainer -oe Goossen in the buildup to this bout. Lo Greco appeared stunned by Khan’s sheer speed from the outset and, as soon as he dropped him with a right hand, it looked like a foregone conclusion. There was an eight count on that occasion and moments after the two squared off again, a flurry of left hands from Khan ended it all. Khan first came to prominence when he won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 2004 Olympics, thus becoming Britain’s youngest boxing Olympic medallist at 17. He won the WBA light-welterweight title in 2009 and the IBF title in 2011. His professional record is 34 wins (20 by knockout) and four defeats. After the fight Khan said: “I’ve been out of the ring for two years. I’ve never taken a day off the gym. I’ve had a hand operation and the hand felt good in the fight. “People just wanted to see me come back and I wanted to prove a point and come back. I’m two years out of the ring but I’m back with a big bang.” When asked if he is targeting a fight against Brook, Khan said: “I want to become a world champion again so I want to fight the top guys in the welterweight division. I’m a 147lb fighter. I moved up to 150lb for this fight because I’ve not been in the ring for two years. That fight I’m not rushing and I’m not running away from. “I will fight Kell Brook and I will beat Kell Brook. I’m a better fighter and a stronger fighter.” Brook responded by telling Khan he would make him see stars a reference to Khan’s appearance in last year’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! “Amir, all the fans want the fight, I want the fight,” Brook said. “He can go in the jungle and chase stars but when he gets in there with me, I’ll make him see stars.” Source: The Guardian