Amir Khan grew up bangers and mash, but when it comes time to train, he’s strictly hot dogs and apple pie. Metaphorically, anyway. That would be a tough diet to maintain during camp. Unless you’re Butterbean.
Amir Khan skips rope as Virgil Hunter looks on during Khan's training camp for the Julio Diaz fight in 2013.
Anyway, for the proud Bolton, Lancashire, native, training camp is nonetheless a time to get out of the United Kingdom. Since joining up with trainer Virgil Hunter in 2012, Khan has trained out of Hunter’s King’s Boxing Gym in Oakland, California.
“I think I’m more focused, and I can spend more time with my trainer in the Bay Area,” Amir Khan said. “I can keep the focus on what I want it to be, which is boxing. I’ve spent about 10-12 weeks in the Bay Area. I like it over here. It’s different. It gets me away from all the distractions.”
A distraction-free camp is just part of the equation. The other side of it comes from working with Hunter, the 2011 Boxing Writers Association of America Trainer of the Year. Hunter has helped Khan become a smarter fighter, and not the reckless firebrand who was knocked out twice earlier in his career.
“Virgil means a lot,” Khan said. “I’m at an age where I can only learn so much. He’s very good about teaching the things I need to learn, the realistic stuff. He got me doing things right now, not making any mistakes.
“Before I used to be crazy. I was exciting, but I would make a lot of mistakes. Virgil is teaching me the best things to do, the right things to do in a fight. I’m making the fight a lot easier for myself. He’s educating me how to fight, how to punch at the right time and how to defend at the right time.”
Next up for the pair? Khan vs Algieri. Don't miss a thing leading up to fight night.
- Topics
- Training camp
- Amir Khan
