Amir Khan will be sent into retirement to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, as rival Phil Lo Greco vows to knock him out
AMIR KHAN will be sent into retirement to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, according to rival Phil Lo Greco.
The Canadian star, 33, is preparing to force Bolton boxer out of the ring for good in what he is calling a “crossroads” fight.
Khan, 31, and Lo Greco go head-to-head in Liverpool on April 21, with the latter itching to get down to business.
When asked if he’d send Khan into retirement, Lo Greco replied: “I said this before and I’ll say it again…
“I don’t know why this fight is being sold as ‘back to business’, it’s ‘back to retirement’.
“I’m actually looking forward to seeing him on the reality TV show Dancing With the Stars [US version of Strictly] after this.”
When asked how big the fight is to him, Lo Greco added: “[it’s] the biggest. Look, never in my career have I had a training camp like this before.
“And I never had the opportunity to participate in a bout of this magnitude knowing what’s on the line. I’m hungry and I’m looking forward to fighting in the UK.
- Watch Amir Khan vs Phil Lo Greco live on or with a Now TV pass from £7.99. .
“This fight will end his career, and start mine. People are going to see who I am.
“All the hard work is done. I’m focusing on training camp completely and avoiding any distractions.
“I’ve been putting everything into this fight to prepare physically and mentally. Just take me to April 21.”
On Khan the boxer, Lo Greco claimed: “We all know he’s fast and quick on his feet.
FIT FOR A KING Amir Khan is joined by new trainer Joe Goossen in final preparations for Phil Lo Greco fight
“But he’s been exposed one too many times for me to even acknowledge them at this point.”
Being called the underdog only seems to be fuelling Lo Greco’s fire too.
When asked if Khan was underestimating him, the Canadian replied: “I sure hope he is. And I hope the bookies keep underestimating me too.
“Because I know what I’m fighting for this time. Up until this point, I was never given the credit I deserve for what I’ve done.
“I.e. taking a fight with Spence on two days’ notice ad dropping 16 pounds. Fight with Porter I was given five weeks.
“There will be no excuses on April 21. And vice versa, I don’t want to hear about how he got his period that night either.”
Lo Greco finished with a statement to Khan, saying: “You’re a two-time world champion and former Olympian.
“I respect you for everything you’ve accomplished in the sport, but you’re not taking food off my table. You still think you have it in you.
“But your time is up, and my clock just started ticking. This is a crossroads fight, one of us will fall.”