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Khan better than Pacquiao - Roach

Amir Khan is growing in stature under the guidance of Freddie Roach © Getty Images

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Amir Khan's trainer Freddie Roach has issued a glowing report of the WBA light-welterweight champion's progress by claiming he is a greater boxer than Manny Pacquiao was at 24.

Both Khan and pound-for-pound king Pacquiao are trained by the revered coach at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles, with Roach taking the Filipino under his wing in 2001 and grooming him into a global star that has won titles at eight different weight classes.

Khan moved across the Atlantic in 2008 to resurrect his faltering career and has improved considerably under the tutelage of Roach. The pair are currently preparing for the challenge of American IBF holder Zab Judah in Las Vegas on July 23 and the legendary trainer is confident his latest protégé will become the best boxer on the planet by 2013.

"Amir is a little bit more ahead of Manny," Roach told Reuters. "It took Manny Pacquiao eight years to get to the point where he became unbeatable and he has dominated every fight.

"Amir has been with me for just three years now and he's getting closer and closer. He will become the pound-for-pound king within a couple of years. He is well ahead of schedule and a big win here against Zab (Judah) would be another step towards Manny's record."

Khan's professional record now stands at 25-1 with 17 knockouts, and Roach is in no doubt his charge will prevail at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino - and is predicting a win inside the distance.

"Zab will need to be at his best to survive in this one," he said. "I am very confident in my guy. We are ready to fight, we know when and where to attack this guy and how to attack him. We will win and walk away.

"I do not see this fight going the distance. We will overwhelm him with our speed and power, and I think Zab doesn't really take to getting hit like he once did."

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