Khan is aware of the magnitude of this fight
Amir Khan will face off against Terence Crawford, for some the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world right now, at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
The 31-year-old Omaha native Crawford is unbeaten in his 34 professional fights, and has ended 25 of those fights by knockout. He is the undoubted favourite going into the April 20 bout, but according to Khan, that favourite tag may prove to be his undoing.
Speaking to JOE at Madison Square Garden prior to the fight, Khan revealed that he believes both Crawford and his team may underestimate him on Saturday.
“Definitely. I really think so. Both him and his team underestimating me, and I really believe that they are gonna make the biggest mistake taking this fight against me,” said the confident Bolton fighter, who is unbeaten since returning to welterweight after his 2016 defeat to Canelo Alvarez.
Part of Khan’s confidence stems from not only his innate self-belief, but also the return of his former coach Virgil Hunter who has been working with him since January of this year. The two had previously parted ways in March 2018.
“It’s brilliant to have Virgil back in camp again,” said Khan. “You know, Virgil’s a great coach and he’s been brilliant. We’ve been working very hard and have been very focussed throughout the whole training camp.
“He’s pushed me really hard, but you know what – we’ve done everything he’s asked and I’m gonna be more than ready in this fight. My fitness is good, my strength is good and the boxing game plan is going to be on point too.”
The possibility of Crawford underestimating Khan is not something occupying the thoughts of Khan’s former trainer, Freddie Roach, however.
During an interview with JOE at MSG, Roach stated that he doesn’t feel there’s any chance that Crawford – for him the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world – will underestimate Khan.
“No,” said Roach in his matter of face way when presented with the question. “But he is gonna come out really quick and try and blow him away.”
Watch Amir Khan face Terence Crawford exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office, Saturday 20th April. For more information www.bt.com/btsportboxoffice
