• Amir Khan v Carlos Molina

Roach: Virgil Hunter can't help Khan

Amir Khan and Carlos Molina are set to square off © PA Photos

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Freddie Roach has predicted Amir Khan will keep repeating the same mistakes for the rest of his career, regardless of who coaches him.

Khan returns to the ring this weekend, taking on Carlos Molina in a bid to end a two-fight losing streak. Defeat for the Brit, at this stage in his career, would be disastrous.

Roach was recently ditched as Khan's long-term coach, with Virgil Hunter tasked with the job of improving his defence. However, 52-year-old Roach insists Khan is an attacking boxer who simply will not be able to resist leaping onto the front foot.

"Can Amir change his mentality? I don't think so," Roach said in the Sun. "I don't think anyone in the world can change Amir.

"I am an offensive coach, I think it wins fights. We work on defence, but sometimes a boxer's mentality isn't like that. He's always liked to get involved in a fight, even when I watched his amateur fights. He would go forward and have success with it.

"But if you stay in the pocket too long, you're likely to get hit back. And that is exactly what happened against [Danny] Garcia - Amir stayed close for too long and got caught by Garcia, who I don't think is a great fighter but he hits pretty hard.

"Amir is a talented fighter but you've always got to look out for those big punches. Being knocked out is part of boxing.

"On Saturday I think Amir is going to be aggressive and throw combinations like he always does. I don't see him changing. I think it's impossible to change his mindset."

Khan is hoping victory can propel his name back into contention for showdowns with the sport's big names, although he is constantly linked with fellow Brit Kell Brook. It seems that fight could happen, particularly if Brook was to win the IBF world title from Devon Alexander.

"Brook has a good fight against Alexander and that will show where he is at," Khan said. "If he can get past that, then there is a chance we could get it on in the future."

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