Khan press conference devoid of fireworks - almost
BoxRec News correspondent gets an unpleasant surprise at the press conference to announce Amir Khan's New York fight against Paulie Malignaggi...
I hope Oscar De La Hoya’s prediction of an “outstanding fight and history in the making,” turns out to be true when Amir Khan and Paulie Malignaggi square off at Madison Square on May 15th as the Lancastrian puts his WBA light-welterweight belt on the line.
Not just for the paying public but at least it will beat a quite uneventful press conference held at the Penthouse in Leicester Square on Friday afternoon.
Not a hint of trash talk between the two gladiators but it was a little more like the Oscar De La Hoya show.
Oscar played his role well of doing most of the talking while Khan and Malignaggi only spoke for a couple of minutes in total before a packed audience of media and Khan’s team of supporters.
De La Hoya frequently spoke about the “passion of British fans” and the importance of all great fighters going through the Garden (the fight will be held at Madison Square Garden).
“This will not just be a fight but an event Oscar added, and it’s the kind of fight we want to show the world what we are all about."
De La Hoya described Amir as one of the bright futures the British have here in London, (sorry Golden Boy he’s from Bolton) and this is a very dangerous fight for both men.
Malignaggi has only five stoppages to his name so he doesn’t pose a potent threat of causing serious damage even though he does hold good speed in his hands.
Both Khan and Malignaggi feel they will be the victor and Malignaggi came across as a much calmer man than we have become use to.
Throughout the conference he sat with dark glasses, in a t-shirt printed with ‘future legend’ and baseball cap while having his hands on his head. I was hoping for a dramatic and loud entrance by the New York resident; somewhat of a let down then.
But right at the end came the excitement I had been looking for (well, not quite) but from an unlikely source.
I was subjected to some unsavoury behaviour from Khan’s manager Asif Vali after waiting my turn. Sitting next to Khan I opened up by asking why he left Frank Warren, and soon followed up by seeing if he thought it was disloyal. (More on that in another piece.)
Vali signalled with his hands to get off this subject and remarked “Only questions about the fight itself.”
Amir was fine talking on this subject and as I thanked Amir and gave this site a plug, Vali was angered. Check this for trash talk. “You’ve f****** p***** me off.”
Charming stuff. Vali said this wasn’t the time and place for that type of question. I pointed out it’s the question fans are asking and then I was given the negative body language, his hands up, ringing the bell on me.
This is the one thing I don’t like about boxing or life when important issues are avoided. I said to Vali “If I call you can this subject be discussed?"
I informed him that I don’t have his contact details to which he abruptly replied “Well, you're in boxing - find it.”
Well just like Khan and Malignaggi may have to do, I’ll take it on the chin.
