• Boxing

Khan's 'not a big puncher' - McCloskey

ESPN staff
February 7, 2011
Amir Khan took a volley of blows from Marcos Maidana in his last fight © PA Photos
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Paul McCloskey has begun the trash talk just 24 hours after agreeing to fight Amir Khan, claiming the WBA light-welterweight champion "ran like a mad man" to beat Marcos Maidana.

McCloskey is the undefeated European light-welterweight champion, but he will enter the April 16 bout as a major underdog against Khan. It is expected that the Dungiven man will act as a stepping stone towards a unification fight for Khan against Timothy Bradley.

However, McCloskey drew great confidence from Khan's classic December clash with Maidana, commenting in The Sun: "Maidana took serious punches from Khan but, except for the one body punch at the start when he went down, he wasn't rocked. Khan's not a big puncher.

"Khan is seen as a superstar but he's certainly beatable. Yes, he's improved dramatically under Freddie Roach but in his last fight Maidana had him rocked.

"The referee could have stepped in and stopped the fight when Maidana caught Khan in the 10th round but it was Khan's conditioning which stood by him -- he ran like a mad man trying to stay out of the way."

McCloskey's confidence is amplified by coach John Breen, who is convinced Khan is heading for the worst night of his career.

"It's great news for Paul that the deal is signed but it's bad for Khan," said Breen. "Paul has the style to beat him without a doubt -- he's going to baffle Khan with his skill and his moves."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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