• Boxing

Roach came close to throwing in the towel

ESPN staff
December 13, 2010
Amir Khan had to take some fearsome shots in the 10th round © Getty Images
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Freddie Roach has admitted he came close to throwing in the towel during Amir Khan's stunning win over Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Khan defended his WBA light-welterweight title with a points victory, but only after withstanding a fearsome barrage from Maidana in the 10th round. The Bolton man was caught with a string of savage shots and it would not have come as a surprise if the referee had stepped in to stop the contest.

The minute's break between rounds 10 and 11 enabled Khan to clear his head and it was enough for his trainer Roach to hold back from stopping the fight.

"Throw in the towel?" Roach said in response to a question about whether he contemplated hauling his fighter out of the ring. "It did cross my mind, but I spoke to him between the 10th and 11th rounds and he responded well. His head was clear and he knew where he was at.

"It was very close to being stopped by the referee in the 10th when Amir took a lot of shots. But I was very happy we had a good referee in there in Joe Cortez. He didn't get too excited and let the fight go on.

"Amir showed he had some f*****g balls. A lot of people thought Amir would get caught on the chin and quit at the first sign he was hurt. He demonstrated he has no quit in him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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