AJ told:: If you want to join the global STARS You have to go Stateside & earn your STRIPES
ANTHONY JOSHUA has been told by Amir Khan he must crack America to become a truly global star.
Khan says he is recognised all over the world because of his success in the US. The former light-welterweight world champ has fought there 10 times, headlining in Las Vegas and Madison Square Garden.
He believes unbeaten world heavyweight king Joshua – who meets Alexander Povetkin on Saturday – would become even bigger if he fought Stateside.
“Yeah, if you want to be global, you have to go to America,” said Khan. “My dream was to fight in Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden – all those places where Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson fought.
“And whatever’s shown in America is shown all over the world. I started to become a bigger name by fighting in America.
“People in Pakistan started recognising me. When I had my first fights in England, no one in Pakistan knew me, but I’ve a big following there, and in India because they saw me fighting in America. Fighting in America, definitely makes you a global star.”
Khan, 31, who hopes to seal a December 8 date with Manny Pacquiao, claims Joshua would also earn more in the US. “I remember making a lot of money with Frank Warren in the UK,” he said. “I left him and went to America and initially made a million dollars less under Golden Boy Promotions. But it wasn’t about the money for me, it was about getting my name out in America.
“After making less money for the first couple of fights, I started making the most money in the lightwelterweight division apart from pay-per-view.
“I then became a big name in the US and started headlining shows and pay-per-views over here. I think Joshua could do the same if he forgets about the money and just goes to America and fights.
“The Brits are always going to tune in to watch because they support the British fighters.
“When I did it, I was the only Brit fighting in America at the time. It was hard to do, but still I did it. And Josh should do the same thing.”
‘If Joshua forgets about the money and fights in USA he’ll become a big name’