Pictured
KHAN'T STOP HIM
Amir Khan steps up training with intense gym workout ahead of Saudi showdown against unknown Neeraj Goyat but coach Virgil Hunter is nowhere to be seen
AMIR KHAN has been pictured training for his fight in Saudi Arabia against Neeraj Goyat with coach Alex Ariza after the pair reunited.
The 32-year-old Bolton hero represents Pakistan against Indian boxer Goyat in a Super Boxing League bout - and will do so without trainer Virgil Hunter.
5
5
Instead Khan will have boxing coach and ex-world champion Clarence “Bones” Adams in his corner for the first time and strength and conditioning trainer Ariza.
Khan and Ariza worked together for two years before they split in 2011 - with the trainer also famed for his work with Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.
The pair were pictured training together as Khan prepares to bounce back from his loss to Terence Crawford in New York by facing the unherald Goyat in July.
Khan was pulled out of his WBO welterweight world title challenge against Crawford in April after the American champ hit the challenger below the belt.
After giving trainer Hunter an unconvincing look, the 32-year-old was taken out of the fight and faced backlash from fans and pundits for the confusing finish.
After the loss Hunter publicly criticised Khan for his lack of training out of camp.
However, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist claims his latest switch in trainer could only be temporary - suggesting the short-notice fight in the Middle East was too much for an otherwise busy Hunter to commit to.
Most Read in Boxing
Khan has not ruled out a move back to Hunter once his duties in Jeddah are over.
The former super-lightweight world champion left the San Francisco-based trainer in 2018 after Hunter fell ill and set up a camp with Joe Goossen.
However, he returned to Andre Ward’s famous tutor for his title challenge against Crawford this year, confident the coach had recovered from illness.
5
5
5
Topics