Khan said he was in “too much” pain
Amir Khan’s WBO world welterweight title fight against Terence Crawford ended in controversial circumstances on Saturday night after the Briton was pulled out by his corner after being struck with an accidental low blow.
Crawford was expected to defend his title prior to the fight at New York’s Madison Square Garden and floored Khan in the opening round. The American continued to dominate after that point, eventually catching Khan in the groin in the sixth round.
After consulting with his corner, the 32-year-old pulled out after saying he was in “too much” pain.
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It was a bizarre end to the fight, one that saw the Bolton-born fighter face accusations of taking ‘a way out’.
“I would never quit, I’d rather get knocked out,” Khan insisted after the fight.
“I’m just one of them fighters. I have been knocked out because I try to win fights,” said Khan, as a bemused Crawford pulled a face and asked him to clarify that he hadn’t in fact quit.
“I didn’t quit. I was hit with a low blow in the balls. I’ve not seen the video but it was a low blow. But look, if you guys think I quit, no problem. I’ve never quit from a fight, but Crawford is a great fighter and he beat me tonight.”
“I could feel it in my stomach and legs. I said ‘I can’t move’,” Khan added. “There was no point taking five minutes out, I could not continue. I am not one to give up. I was hit by a hard shot below the belt.
“I couldn’t continue as the pain was too much.”
