• Light-welterweight

Roach issues warning to Khan

ESPN staff
September 19, 2012
Amir Khan and Freddie Roach have gone their separate ways © Getty Images
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Freddie Roach has warned Amir Khan to avoid a meeting with Manny Pacquiao, after the British fighter dispensed with the American trainer's services over the weekend.

It came as little surprise when Khan announced via Twitter that he and Roach had parted ways, after the Bolton fighter lost his two most recent fights - the latest a stoppage against Danny Garcia which saw him lose his WBA title.

Khan was also understood to be unhappy with Roach's perceived prioritising of Pacquiao, and cited a desire to tighten up his defence as one of the main reasons for employing a new trainer.

Virgil Hunter is the latest name to be linked with Khan, and while Roach bears no grudge towards Khan he has advised the 25-year-old to steer clear of Pacquiao.

"I wish Amir all the best - but stay away from punchers and my guy's a puncher," Roach was quoted as saying by livefight.com.

Roach also questioned whether Khan's hopes of having his defence improved by another trainer would materialise, and also pondered whether Khan would not play second fiddle to Hunter's main charge Andre Ward.

"I think technically Virgil Hunter looks like a very good trainer. But can somebody change another person? I don't think so," said Roach.

"I tried for a very long time to get Amir Khan to settle down, with no success. He likes to exchange a lot - and I don't think that's gonna change."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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