TERENCE CRAWFORD’S trainer believes the undefeated WBO welterweight champion is ready for Amir Khanโs speed after utilising the resources of the US Air Force Academy.
Crawford, who defends his title against Khan at New Yorkโs Madison Square Garden on Saturday, is widely considered one of the two finest fighters in the worldย alongside Ukraineโs Vasyl Lomachenko.
With 25 knockouts from his 34 wins, the 31-year-old is a heavy favourite, yet if Khan reproduces the hand speed that so many have previously struggled with, there is the possibility of an upset.
To that end, trainer Brian McIntyre has refused to take any risks.
โWe went to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs,โ the American said. โWe wanted to work on his hand-eye co-ordination because Khanโs got fast hands.
โWe just wanted to make him a little bit more aware. The drill is little lights come on and he has to follow the lights, stuff they do for the pilots.
โThey were really impressed with him. Weโve been there before, he likes to go and shoot basketball with the cadets.
โWe all know who the best fighter in the world is. Look at what heโs done in the game so far. Heโs done way more than Lomachenko. Lomachenko ainโt really unified at two different weight classes like Terence has.
โPeople are only looking at Lomachenko because he got two gold medals. So what?โ
Despite acknowledging Khanโs speed, McIntyre claims the 32-year-old has declined since his defeat to Saul Alvarez in 2016 when he suffered such a devastating knockout his career was put at risk.
Khan has since taken confidence from reuniting with Virgil Hunter, the trainer who oversaw the finest performances of his career, but McIntyre is convinced that even Hunter does not expect his fighter to win.
โIf you listen to Virgilโs interview, heโs not even confident for Amir Khan,โ he said. โAm I right or wrong? Just listen to him. He was asked what does Amir Khan need to win and he said prayer and luck.
โYou ask me and I say Terence is going to beat the s*** out of Amir Khan.
โHe never said that about (retired fighter) Andre Ward, has he?
โKhanโs not the same. He fights more kind of scared because heโs scared to get touched on his chin.ย He ainโt got no power.
โ(The Alvarez defeat is) going to be there. Itโs always going to be there at the back of his mind โWhat if I get hit again? Donโt let the world see me go to sleepโ.
โThis wonโt be the best win of Terenceโs career. I bet you (former Crawford opponents Jose) Benavides and Felix Diaz could probably beat Khan.โ
Amir Khan fights Terence Crawford live on BT Sport Box Office, Saturday April 20. For more informationย www.bt.com/btsportboxoffice