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The talk in boxing
By Standard Sport Last updated at 00:00am on 09.02.05Khan beats the count to let our man off the hook
No one was more anxious than Talk's ringside representative when Amir Khan flopped onto his backside while making that dramatic debut in the Senior ABA Championships.
For it can now be revealed that had the Olympic sensation failed to beat the count, the blame for wrecking a potentially lucrative career would have rested on the shoulders of this column.
A draw had to be made for a box-off in the light-welterweight division of the East Lancs divisional championships in Preston and our man got the job. He matched Khan with Craig Watson, who put Khan down with a hook before, to Talk's huge relief, Khan won on points.
Don't turn pro, Amir told
Craig Watson, who came so close to celebrating his 22nd birthday by beating Khan, tells Talk that his younger rival should heed the lesson of that visit to the canvas and resist all calls to turn professional.
Watson, whose left hook caught Khan flush on the cheek with devastating effect, warns: "There are stronger lads than me out there. Amir should be aware of that. He's only 18 so why hurry to turn pro? He should build himself up while staying with the amateurs."
Oakey is on a mission
Former WBU and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Tony Oakey will be on a mission on Saturday night when he makes his comeback from a year's ban for cocaine abuse. Oakey, who tops the bill against Armenia's Varuzhan Davtyan in Portsmouth, says: "I don't want people to remember me as the boxer who was banned for taking drugs . . . there's no reason at all why I can't get my titles back."
Judah gamble pays off
Boxing is a risky sport for all the obvious reasons. But there are other risks to consider, like a fighter putting his career and financial security on the line by taking "short money" for a shot at a title. At the weekend Zab Judah accepted a purse of £56,000 to challenge for the undisputed world welterweight championship against fellow American Cory Spinks, on £670,000. Judah won and can cash in with future fights.
Contact us at: talk@standard.co.uk
