Golden Boy Khan dumps Warren

 

Amir Khan has dumped his promoter Frank Warren and signed up with American giants Golden Boy Promotions, according to reports both in England and the US.

 

Whispers to this effect have been doing the rounds for months and have finally been made public.

 

Khan, out of contract with Warren, appears to have decided not to re-sign with the Hertfordshire promoter, favouring a Stateside approach which will include him spending more time in Freddie Roach’s Los Angeles gym.

 

If so, Khan joins the likes of Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe – all of whom built careers with Warren before leaving him.

 

According to Boxing Scene reporter Rick Reeno, promoter Lou Di Bella received a call from Richard Schaefer, head of GB,  informing him that they have a contract with Khan and asking if a match between Bolton’s WBA light-welterweight champion and Di Bella’s man Paulie Malignaggi could be made.

 

This would mean Khan giving up his title, thereby avoiding mandatory challenger and reputed puncher Marcos Maidana.

 

Di Bella feels that Khan should build a profile for himself in the States first, saying “Khan means nothing in America…he’s just  a British fighter who got knocked out in one round by Breidis Prescott…I think he’s talented but he doesn’t walk over here like he’s the star.  I hate to break it to him but if he fights Paulie – he is not the A-side.  He may be a superstar in England but that doesn’t translate over here.  If they continue to treat Paulie like an opponent, the fight won’t happen.”

 

Malignaggi took a shellacking at the hands of Ricky Hatton in November 2008 but has since rebuilt himself with an excellent revenge points win over tough Juan Diaz last month.

 

As for the likelihood of a UK superfight between Hatton and Khan, the Manchester man played it down this morning when speaking to Radio 5Live’s Sportsweek programme, though given the current news he might revise his opinion.

"I don't have to fight Amir Khan.

"Amir is a friend of mine. He's promoted by Frank Warren so with the differences between me and Frank Warren over the years I don't believe that to be possible.

"I'm very proud of what Amir has done, the way he's turned his career around, winning the world title.

"But he has still to do it at two weights and win four more world titles like I have done.

"It's not an impossibility but I'd say that's not top of the list."