Khan Looks To Defy Critics Against Crawford

Staring his biggest challenge in three years right in the face, Amir Khan knows that no one is giving him a chance to beat Terrence Crawford.

“I’m not taking this fight lightly; I know I can win with my boxing skills,” the 32-year old former champion told reporters during a recent media conference to discuss their April 20th fight at Madison Square Garden. “This is the time when I can prove myself—and prove everyone (else) wrong.”

The Olympic silver medalist has been battling back from not only a knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez in 2016, but very public drama with his wife, accusing her at one point of cheating on him with Anthony Joshua.

Now, Khan has focused on an in-ring comeback and looking for his shot at championship redemption. Since signing with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, Khan would snag two wins in 2018 and was near a deal to finally fight U.K. rival, Kell Brook. That would not come to pass as Khan would take a reported $5 million to battle Crawford for his title at Madison Square Garden.

“When this fight was presented to me as a big pay per view event, I accepted with (open arms); my team didn’t agree with me as much but this is the fight I wanted,” Khan admits. “Terence is a skilled fighter and I do very well against skillful fighters. I’m probably the bigger guy in this fight and who’s been in the division longer. Normally I’m the smaller guy.”

“People might feel that with my lackluster fight against Vargas that I’m the big underdog,” Khan acknowledging his late 2018 decision win prior to taking the challenge of boxing’s pound-for-pound best. “In this fight, I have to be on my A-game and can’t make any mistakes.

“I’m not going in there thinking I’m the bigger and stronger fighter. I’m going to use my skills. That’s what’s going to win me the fight, my skills, not my power. I’m going to win with skills and my boxing IQ.”

Initial Report: Boxing Scene