• Amir Khan v Lamont Peterson

Khan won't lay on the ropes this time - Roach

Amir Khan was penalised twice for pushing during his first fight with Lamont Peterson © Getty Images

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Freddie Roach has laid out the blueprint for Amir Khan to successfully regain his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles from Lamont Peterson, revealing the Brit will stay away from the ropes.

Khan lost his belts in controversial fashion last year, dropping a points decision in Peterson's backyard. The Khan camp later complained over the altering of scorecards and the presence of a mystery man at ringside, but all that will now be forgotten when the pair rematch on May 19.

Lost among the endless complaints coming out of the Khan camp was the fact that, after a quick start, he allowed himself to be contained by Peterson. The early stick-and-move tactics that worked so well gave way to Khan's tendency to scrap, which played into Peterson's hands.

Indeed, the more Peterson was able to back Khan into the ropes and work at close quarters, the more frequently Khan was warned and then punished for pushing. This time, says trainer Roach, they will be ready.

"We're going to be boxing a lot smarter in the center of the ring," Roach told Boxing Scene. "I have a good strategy worked out for Amir, and if we follow it, I think we'll be good.

"The biggest thing is to keep the fight in the middle of the ring and not lay on the ropes. If he lays on the ropes, Peterson can bang on the body really hard and then he can come out on top," Roach explained.

"Laying on the ropes, that might work in the amateurs, but it doesn't work in professional boxing. I think Amir will be too much for him in this fight, and I really look forward to this rematch."

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