Paul's Press Ups
BoxRec News correspondent Paul Foley takes on this week's press.
What was more laughable last weekend, Amir Khan’s opponent Dimity Salita's number one ranking or the outrageous pre-fight racism claims of Khan?
Saturday’s Times had a double page spread by Ron Lewis in which Amir spoke of his feelings towards being booed at fights. “I know if, maybe I was a white English fighter, I would be a superstar in Britain. I never get racist remarks (said to his face) but it’s always out there, which you can’t stop.”
Maybe Amir’s words were taken out of context. After all everywhere he goes is a sell out (Not always, but Newcastle was reportedly one - Ed.). Yes I too have seen some heartless comments referring to his religion and background. But Amir has a lot going for him, and even more to be thankful for. Things could be worse. Just ask Marvin Hagler
Many moons ago in 1980, Hagler could and should have been taking the applause of a British crowd after dethroning their man Alan Minter for the undisputed middleweight title.
Instead he had to be taken away by riot police under a blanket of protection, as the bottles began to fly in his direction.
Okay, Hagler is not British but if you are a fight fan you appreciate talent, and Khan like Hagler has bags of it.
The boos were more of a reaction to Khan’s lack of credible challengers. Times have quickly changed. After bombing out the mandatory contender in under a round, I saw and heard 10,000 paying public applauding the same man who thinks he lacks popularity!
The Mirror’s David Anderson claims Amir Khan and Carl Froch should have been nominated alongside David Haye for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
While I agree with his notion, how about Rendall Munroe who has defended his European super-bantamweight title three times and won the Commonwealth title in the last year?
Not in their league you might say. But Munroe combines his boxing career with four days a week as a binman. A recent diary recorded an almost twelve hour day from the bins to the gym!
Just because his name is not quite up in lights yet, does that mean he’s not shining?
Speaking of Haye, if he fails to land the sports personality title maybe we could replace it with a Nobel Peace award. The Times' Ron Lewis said that few do better trash talking than David but he has moved to stop the war of words between Amir Khan and Carl Froch.
Haye is a friend of both men which is more than can be said for his relationship with the Klitschko brothers. You could just see it (or maybe not) Haye getting a Christmas present for and from them both.
There’s more chance of seeing Santa come down the chimney!
