Boxing: KHAN WILL LAND WORLD TITLE FOR HIS 21ST BIFFDAY; BIG-FIGHT COUNTDOWN... Warren tips Amir for glory.Byline: BY HUGH KEEVINS PROMOTER Frank Warren Frank Warren can refer to:
He is trained by Peter Harrison, father of fellow-Scot Scott Harrison. in London tomorrow night. Warren has brought the Glaswegian and the golden boy of British boxing together for Limond's defence of his championship. But the promoter is already gazing into a glorious future for Khan, declaring him an even greater prospect than Prince Naseem Hamed was at the same age. Naz won the world featherweight title at the age of 22 and Warren claims Khan is on schedule to better that achievement. He said: "When I compare Naz and Amir I have to say that, after two years as a pro, Amir is in front of Naz at the same point in his career. "Amir's ahead of everyone I've ever worked with in terms of his development. He's that good. Khan is challenging Limond for the lightweight title in only his 13th fight. "He'll fight for the world title when he's ready and that could happen when he's 21 in December. Limond, meanwhile, is the defending champion who is being treated like a beleaguered be·lea·guer tr.v. be·lea·guered, be·lea·guer·ing, be·lea·guers 1. To harass; beset: We are beleaguered by problems. 2. To surround with troops; besiege. challenger. Even Ring magazine, the bible of boxing afficianados, were dismissive of Limond's chances yesterday and critical of Khan's habit of allegedly hand picking fighters who double as pacifists when they meet him. Ring magazine said: "The standard of his professional opposition has been exceptionally low. "His next fight will be against the less-than threatening Commonwealth champion, Willie Limond. After Limond the British public will expect something tastier." This put-down pre-supposes two things. The first is that there will be the opportunity for something tastier because Khan will have beaten the Glaswegian. The second is that Limond has somehow managed to compile a career record which shows only one defeat in 29 fights while taking on fighters incapable of putting up any resistance. But the joiner join·er n. 1. A carpenter, especially a cabinetmaker. 2. Informal A person given to joining groups, organizations, or causes. by trade knows Khan is confidently expected to knock his block off at London's O2 Arena tomorrow night and that anything he says to the contrary will be considered empty words of defiance. Limond said: "I work with the tools to pay the bills but I haven't done anything other than train for this fight for the last 10 weeks. "I want to give myself every chance of beating Khan so that I never have to touch the tools again." It would be the equivalent of David slaying Goliath, Berwick putting Rangers out of the Scottish Cup and Celtic going out of the same competition at home to Inverness if Limond was to realise his dream. But Limond's football affiliations lie with Partick Thistle. "Therefore he's been brought up to believe in the power of unpredictability. Khan, meanwhile, has signed a new, six-fight deal with ITV (1) See interactive TV. (2) (iTV) The code name for Apple's video media hub (see Apple TV). andWarren has angrily dismissed claims that Limond is part of an orchestrated campaign to keep him away from tough fighters. Warren said: "Anyone who says that is talking b*******. "His opponents have not been hand picked." CAPTION(S): BELT UP: Willie Limond and Amir Khan go head to head in London tomorrow but Khan has been tipped for greatness by Frank Warren |
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