Amir Khan has claimed that trainer Freddie Roach has made him a “better fighter” ahead of Saturday’s fight with IBF title-holder Zab Judah in Las Vegas.
The WBA light-welterweight champion joined up with Hall of Fame trainer Roach in 2008 after an unexpected knockout to Colombian boxer Breidis Prescott.
The 24-year-old went on to win seven fights under Roach’s guidance and has said that the former professional’s methods are the reason for his success.
"With Freddie it's all about being focused, training hard, using my brains going into a fight and sticking to a game plan,” Sky Sports quotes Khan as saying.
"He just wants you to do everything right without risking stuff. Sometimes you have to take a risk in a fight, but if you don't need to, don't do it."
Before Khan enlisted the services of his current trainer, the Bolton-born fighter suffered some disappointing defeats, notably against Michael Gomez and Willie Limond.
He added: "Boxing is an art and if I can use my skills to win fights and make it easier then I'll do that.
"Some fighters take a lot of shots and a lot of punishment, but I think I've got a style where I can make it a lot easier by sticking to my skills. That's made me a better fighter and Freddie has brought that out."
While Khan’s opponent Judah has six defeats to his name, the 33-year-old has only lost once at light-welterweight level.
Danielle Joynson
