• Boxing

Roach won't be in Khan's corner against Pacquiao

ESPN staff
April 21, 2011
Amir Khan's victory over Paul McCloskey was not particularly convincing © Getty Images
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Steve Bunce: Paul McCloskey let down by disgraceful stoppage

Freddie Roach has revealed that he hoped for a more dramatic end to Amir Khan's "boring" fight against Paul McCloskey on Saturday.

The WBA light-welterweight clash was stopped in the sixth round when it was ruled that a cut above McCloskey's eye prevented him from continuing - a decision that drew the ire of McCloskey's camp, with promoter Barry Hearn calling it "the worst piece of officiating I've seen".

Khan was awarded every round by the judges, but has been widely criticised for his impatience during the fight after failing to blast out McCloskey in the early stages. Roach, Khan's trainer, insists that his charge did all he could in the face of a tricky opponent who was invigorated by competing at world-title level for the first time.

"No, we fought an awkward southpaw, and every time that McCloskey threw a punch, Amir hit him. So he stopped throwing punches and made it a little bit more of a non-action fight … and more of a boring fight," Roach told Boxing Scene.

"But Amir did what he was supposed to do. I wish they didn't stop the fight because of the cut, however, as I feel Amir was about to knock him out. I'm sure Amir hurt him a couple of times in that round. But that's the way it goes."

Meanwhile, Roach has confirmed he will not be in Khan's corner if a clash with Manny Pacquiao arises next year. Khan is considering moving to welterweight - Pacquiao's current division - if he successfully negotiates a summer unification clash with Timothy Bradley, who holds the WBC and WBO light-welterweight straps.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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