Quotes from Khan and McCloskey's Belfast press conference

Some quotes from the packed Khan-McCloskey press conference at Belfast's Ulster Museum...

Eddie Hearn (Managing Director of Matchroom Sport and promoter of European light-welterweight champion Paul McCloskey)

“I think this is a great fight for the Irish people and a great fight for Paul and it is going to be a special day for Irish sport. I believe personally that Paul will have more fans in that arena than Khan will have. I think it is going to banged out on the night with a lot of sports fans, a lot interested spectators, but in terms of loyal, passionate fans I think Paul will have the edge there and it is something that we are adamant that we get a fair crack at the whip because there needs to be a lot of support there for Paul and I know you guys (Irish fans) will turn out there in your droves."

Paul McCloskey

“I have worked a long time in my career to get to this point, in the last 5 ½ years I have had 22 fights and I done it the traditional route with the British and European titles and I am world ranked – so deserving of this shot. We are ready for this fight. He (Khan) could have went for Lamont Peterson who in his last fight had a draw, but I don’t think people were looking forward to that fight so I am glad that he chose me.

“I have never really used a strength and conditioning trainer, but I started with a conditioner last week so if anything that is just going to propel and make me stronger in other areas. I aim to be in shape of my life and firing on all cylinders. I am always confident of victory, I don’t know how to lose professionally. Obviously this is a massive step up in class, but I have fought world class opponents in my last ten fights and I dealt with them ok. I will have to at my best if not better to do a job on him.

“To me this is a rainbow fight and at the end of the rainbow is a pot of gold and that will bring me on to the next platform to do a job. For me that will have to be one hell of a job, it will have to be a career best for me but I know it is in there and as long as I have done my preparation, have no injuries, am not sick I am confident of winning the fight.

“The support I have been getting so far has been immense. The feedback we have been getting has been serious. I feel that if all the tickets were coming my way – we would get rid of them all as the feedback for this fight has been super. I hope people that can get into the arena that we know and that will help me on the night for definite.”

Amir Khan

“It is a great turn out today, it is always great to come to Ireland. The Irish public are huge boxing fans, they are true boxing fans. You know with Irish fighters, they are strong, have got big heart.I am sure you will remember when Eamonn Magee fought Ricky Hatton, he put Ricky Hatton down and it shows how much heart you Irish have. I am fighting Paul McCloskey who is going to be up for this fight. It is going to be a huge fight for both of us really, I have not fought in England for the last 14 months, my last two fights were in America – so it is going to be a big night for me coming home in front of my home fans in Manchester and against an undefeated fighter.

“I have seen Paul fighting a few times and he got good lateral movement, he is a southpaw, very awkward, and I think he is going to bring a lot of tricky things, he is going to be a tough fight. A lot of people are making this sound that I am odds on to win but Paul McCloskey is a tough opponent he is not an easy guy to beat.

“We are going to do our homework. I fly to America on Thursday. We spoke about Paul and my trainer, Freddie Roach is happy to take this fight on, so we start training in LA for four weeks and from there we go to the Philippines and I am going to be training with Manny Pacquaio – who is also a southpaw. I am going to train very hard for this fight, I always train as if I am the challenger and I am going to five it 100% on the night. I am going to say good luck to Paul and all the Irish people out there and come the 16th April it is going to be a big massive night.”

Irish fight fans are urged to keep check www.paulmccloskey.com for imminent ticketing information. There will be a large allocation of tickets for Paul McCloskey’s fans and in the next 24 hours full details of this should be added to the fighters website. In addition, a package of tickets, coach and ferry and accommodation is being organised by Breens Gym and details will appear on www.paulmccloskey.com

Image courtesy 'Belfast' Brendan Galbraith