• Boxing

Roach hits back at claims from Katsidis' camp

ESPN staff
June 7, 2010
Freddie Roach says Amir Khan needs to get back in the gym as soon as possible © Getty Images
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Amir Khan's trainer Freddie Roach has hit back at claims from Michael Katsidis' camp that the WBA light-welterweight champion was ducking a potential bout as it represented too much of a risk.

Katsidis' trainer Brendon Smith had suggested that Khan would not take on his man because his iron-fisted attack would leave the Brit too vulnerable to taking a knockout blow on his fragile chin.

Roach insists that the reason the Katsidis fight has not materialised is due to the Australian's financial demands. Instead of facing Katsidis, Khan is rumoured to be facing Joel Casamayor on July 31 in his first fight on British soil since defeating Paulie Malignaggi in New York last month.

With limited preparation time remaining ahead of that clash, Roach has urged Khan to return to the gym as soon as possible.

"I hear they were talking to [Michael] Katsidis but he wanted too much money," Roach told the Telegraph. "Amir will back in the gym soon. He has to be. He fought a great fight in New York against Paulie Malignaggi.

"If he does take the fight on July 31, he needs to get back over here and get in the gym this week. My view is that Amir is ready for anyone right now."

Roach also launched a scathing attack on Khan's main rivals in the light-welterweight division - Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander.

"Who is Devon Alexander anyway? We've seen him on TV, I've seen him once and I didn't see anything special," he said. "The other guy - [Timothy] Bradley - one of my young boxers Jose Benavidez [aged 18] sparred with him and had no trouble and he struggled in a recent fight, but looked good in his last fight."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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