• Boxing

UK fans should show more respect - Khan

ESPN staff
July 22, 2011
Amir Khan's fight with Zab Judah will be shown on the Primetime TV channel © Getty Images
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Preview: Judah blocks Khan's path to Floyd

WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan has complained that boxing fans in the UK do not give him the respect he deserves.

British fans have cooled on Khan of late, with two of his last three fights taking place Stateside and the other, against Paul McCloskey in Manchester, ending in disappointing circumstances in the sixth round when McCloskey was cut.

Khan's cause has not been helped by a dispute with Sky television which meant the McCloskey fight was shown on the little-known Primetime pay-per-view channel.

Now, ahead of a Las Vegas bout with Zab Judah this weekend that will also be shown on Primetime, he has risked alienating the home fans even further by claiming that those in the US have a better understanding of the sport.

"There are still sceptics around at home but I always say that I'm the best, most exciting fighter Britain has had for a long, long time," Khan said. "You can put any name against me, but I know I'm the most exciting.

"A lot of people don't give me the credit I deserve but I fight because I love the sport and want to put on good shows. When I retire, the people who didn't think I was that good will think 'hang on, Amir was good after all'.

"I definitely feel more appreciated here than in the UK. At this moment in time, I'm getting more love in America from boxing fans.

"People in the States realise I'm taking the big fights on and understand boxing a bit better."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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