Amir Khan’s new trainer Jorge Rubio has urged caution ahead of his clash with power-puncher Breidis Prescott on September 6 live and exclusive on Sky Box Office. Rubio, who will be in Khan’s corner for the first time at the M.E.N Arena, insists that his charge is good enough to be a world champion. But he says the WBO number two and WBC number five does not need to be rushed..
Khan, 21, will be taking part in just his 19th professional fight when he faces big punching Prescott.
“Amir will be ready for a world title in three or fights,” said cautious Rubio.
“At that point he will beat one of the world champions, but I still wouldn’t put him in with the likes of Manny Pacquiao.
“But in a year to 18 month’s time he will be ready for anybody. He has as much natural talent as anyone I have worked with, he has all the tools to make it to the top. He is a very exciting fighter.”
The night of boxing will be available to Sky digital subscribers for £14.95 on Sky Box Office channel 743 and in high definition on channel 753. It can be ordered by press the red button on the Sky remote handset – there is a £1 booking fee for any orders made by phone. For further information and to order the event, viewers can call: 08442 410 888
Tickets for 2 Hot 2 Handle, priced at £30, £40, £50, £100, £150 and £200, are available from www.frankwarren.tv
Willie Limond Madison Square Garden Update
Braveheart Promotions chief Barry Hughes would like to take the opportunity to give the following statement:
“Despite recent events, Braveheart Promotions will in no way take its eye off the track to success and will continue to deliver for our sportsmen.
“I would also like to thank all the fans, sponsors and everyone in connection with Braveheart for their continued support.”
Willie Limond faces a potential change of opponent when he fights in Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Joe Calzaghe’s bout with Roy Jones Jr.
Limond was due to face American-based Ukrainian Dmitriy Salita in the famous New York venue on September 20, but Calzaghe suffered a wrist injury which forced the whole show to be put back to November 8.
However, there is a chance that Salita, who is ranked number three by the WBA at light-welterweight, could face WBA light-welterweight champion Andreas Kotelnik.
Ukraine’s Kotelnik will make his first defence of the title in his home country against Japan’s Norio Kimura on September 13. Should he successfully retain his title, it is likely that Kotelnik will then defend against Salita at the Garden.
Promoters Square Ring, Inc have offered Limond the chance to face Darling Jimenez if the Kotelnik-Salita clash goes ahead.
Jimenez, who was born in the Dominican Republic but currently resides in New York, has a record of 23 wins (14 by stoppage), three losses and two draws.
Limond said: “I don’t mind who I fight in New York. I am just relieved that I still have the chance to fight in Madison Square Garden on the undercard of such a big promotion.
“As for the opponent, it will be a hard task regardless of whether I face Salita or Jimenez. If I face Salita, I will have to go up a division to light-welterweight where he will have the advantage of having fought in that division throughout his career.
“If I face Jimenez, although the fight would be at lightweight, it will still be a hard fight. Jimenez is coming off a loss, but he won six consecutive fights by knockout prior to his last fight.
“Even then, Jimenez was beaten by a fantastic talent in Cuba’s Yuriorkis Gamboa, who is very highly rated in America.”