Roach is Khan’s biggest problem

Former champion Amir Khan had his trajectory as a fighter changed dramatically when he was upset by hometown favorite Lamont Peterson at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.

Suffering a hotly-contested split-decision loss that saw him drop his WBA and IBF junior welterweight titles, Khan now has his sights set on a rematch with Peterson as opposed to his initial plans of moving up to the welterweight class in early 2012. And while rumors are circulating about a March 31st date for Khan-Peterson II, people in the industry are still musing on his recent setback.

Watching the fight from his Las Vegas bases, trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. took in the action and feels that the right man was awarded the decision. And while Khan had been calling for a clash with Mayweather’s son Floyd Jr., that issue wasn’t discussed at all during the conversation on Sunday afternoon, as the outspoken coach had other topics floating through his head.

Floyd Sr. had much to say, from offering criticism towards Khan’s trainer Freddie Roach, his opinion on how the rematch with Peterson could play out, his recollection of Khan approaching him for a training gig a few years back, and how he compares Khan to one of his former pupils who he worked with for a two-fight span in Ricky Hatton.

This is what the always-animated Mayweather had to say…

Thoughts on Amir Khan’s upset loss to Lamont Peterson…

“I saw the fight. I thought the fight was the right call. I thought that [Peterson] was hitting to the body a whole lot and he hit him with some good, solid shots. [Peterson] was just a better fighter than him, I just think he should use the jab more. Peterson should use his jab a lot more. He walks in without jabbing and that’s no good. But overall I think the right man won.”

Why Freddie Roach is the main problem in Khan’s corner…

“I don’t want to say too much about those people, but I think that’s definitely the problem I think. Because there ain’t no way in hell that I would have had Amir Khan fighting like that. Amir Khan was all over the place, throwing crazy, wild-ass punches and I’ve done seen some women fight way better than that. Laila Ali fights better than that. He was all over, he was throwing punches from across the street and he’s an awkward guy but he can fight better than that. All I can say is he needs some more work, a lot of work matter of fact.”

Being approached by Amir Khan before the fighter’s union with Freddie Roach…

“Amir Khan came to check me out before he checked Freddie Roach out. He came up to the gym with me first before he checked out Freddie Roach. Then he decided to go with Freddie Roach. Hey, that’s on them.” /philboxing