AMIR KHAN thanked Saturday night opponent Phil Lo Greco for keeping their final press conference clean but vowed to finish him off at the weekend.
At their first media meeting, the Canadian took a shot at Khan’s at-the-time troubled personal life and the 31-year-old Bolton star chucked a glass of water over him.
But, on Thursday in Liverpool, with dozens of local children in attendance, respect was maintained by both sides ahead of the 9,000-seater sell-out.
Khan, 31-4, is back in the ring for the first time since his sickening KO loss to Saul Alvarez.
Ahead of the fight, he said: “It’s been a long time, five years since last UK fight and my last fight was two years ago against Canelo, which didn’t go my way.
“People will put me down and say I have nothing left but I feel better than I did at 28.
“I train like a 25-year-old and I still have all that energy. What I do best is fighting.
“I thank Lo Greco for being more respectful this time but we have put more work in than ever and will get the win.”
‘BACK TO RETIREMENT’ Khan will be sent into retirement to appear on Strictly, as rival Lo Greco vows to knock him out
The visitor used his speech to remind Khan of their first meeting 14 years ago and hit out with a seriously backhanded compliment.
In the odd combination of vest and woolly hat, Lo Greco said directly to Khan: “I am a student of the game, here is a fun fact, I met you in 2004 at the amateur games in Croatia.
MOST READ IN BOXING
“I got robbed and hurt but I remember seeing you and was told you would be good.
“You were 17 but then went on to win a silver at the Olympics and I was a fan.
“But I have studied your boxing and your’re past your best. I think your best years were 2011-13 and that will show on Saturday night.”
Leave a comment