Schaefer Backs Fallen Champ Khan
By Duv Johal
Eyebrows were raised surrounding the future of Amir Khan after last weekends knockout loss to Danny Garcia. Carl Froch came out publicly criticising Khan, saying if he was Khan he would retire. Hours after the defeat thousands of fans on social media sites voiced there opinion. A majority still shocked of what transpired, were saying Khan is done, he’s over, forget Mayweather, no chin no win. Rumours were that Freddie Roach would be sacked and possibly Khan would move to a new trainer in Floyd Mayweather Sr. Even Nazim Richardson’s name was brought up due to the lack of defensive skills shown by the Bolton man.
Amir released a statement saying he is now focused on his religion as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan approaches. He will not be making any decisions about his future until Ramadan has gone, but did appear on Sky Sports Ringside programme as a guest with friend and fellow boxer, heavyweight David Haye. Haye gave Amir encouraging words and said this is just a small set back, Amir is still only 25 years old. If he wanted to, he could have 6 or 7 more years mixing it with the elite.
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer appeared on Sky Sports recently talking about Amir Khan. I think this was a great move because many were questioning what the plans are for Khan now. They have invested a lot of time, money and careful marketing into his career. The loss to Garcia hurt Golden Boy as much as anyone.
“You know in boxing if you get hit in the perfect spot, it doesn’t matter if you’re King Kong or King Khan. It doesn’t matter, you just go down, it’s as simple as that. So to them people who talk about Amir’s glass chin, they don’t know if you get hit like that it’s lights out,” said Schaefer as he defended Khan’s style of fighting with his hands low.
When asked if Khan’s stock had gone down in value in the States, he went on to say “I don’t think his star is dimmed, we all like winners and winning is important. But in boxing, like MMA, we are starting to realize an action fighter being exciting is more important than anything else. If you put together a pound for pound list relating to excitement and entertainment value, there is no question Amir Khan will be in the top three.”
The Golden Boy CEO clearly is not giving up on Amir Khan. They still want Amir to go up to welterweight and fight Floyd Mayweather who surely now is coming to the back end of his career. GBP have already sketched out a plan. Schaefer said “It’s important for Amir to have a couple of fights in the US and one in the UK. I can see a Garcia rematch and I do think eventually a move up to 147 makes sense. If the goal is to eventually fight Floyd Mayweather then the strategy should be to fight at 147. Maybe fight against Malignaggi and Devon Alexander.”
I can see Golden Boy going that way as Alexander is expected to beat Bailey and Amir has already beaten Malignaggi over 2 years ago.
Schaefer concluded the interview by saying:
“Amir Khan is a terrific fighter, but firstly he is a terrific young man. I don’t know how to put it diplomatically, but sometimes his balls 
are too big for his own good. I think he needs to learn he’s young. Golden Boy is excited to be apart of Team Khan and he has our 100% support”
