• Light-welterweight

Hunter: Khan can be a world champion again

ESPN staff
April 26, 2013
Amir Khan and Julio Diaz have both successfully weighed in ahead of their Sheffield bout © PA Photos
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Trainer Virgil Hunter believes that Amir Khan is not far away from regaining world champion status, as both the Bolton-born fighter and Julio Diaz weighed in successfully ahead of their April 27 bout in Sheffield.

Khan meets Diaz at a catchweight of 143 lbs at the Motorpoint Arena and with each fighter tipping the scales at just over 142 lbs on Friday, Hunter stated that 26-year-old Khan has improved under his watch and will soon be challenging for a world title once again.

"When he came to us we had concerns about his past fights," Hunter told Sky Sports. "We had him properly assessed so we could begin the necessary process to correct the problems.

"All you ask for is to learn from mistakes, and he will, but there were mistakes made against him too. He has gone into fights outweighed by 12 or 13 pounds and this is something that shouldn't have happened.

"If he is the king of the hill, he dictates the terms. But there is no doubt at all he can be world champion again."

Khan recently praised Diaz for his 'bottle' to come over and fight in the UK and, while this will be Khan's first fight on British soil for two years, his Mexican opponent was quick to respect to the 2004 Olympic silver medallist.

"I know I have a big fight in front of me against a tough warrior," Diaz said. "He has fought fighters when he has been out on his feet but he has finished them. Not a lot of fighters can do that. He has the heart of a lion.

"But I am ready for that. I came to fight and I have trained hard. Amir Khan is my ticket and I am going to get it."

Audley Harrison and unbeaten Deontay Wilder also successfully weighed in ahead of their fight at the Motorpoint Arena.

Harrison topped the scales at 236.4 lbs, with his opponent coming in at a lighter 224.5 lbs.

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