After winning the WBA light-welterweight title at the end of 2009, Amir Khan stated his intent to make a mark in the United States during the following 12 months. A dominant victory over Paulie Malignaggi and coming through the fight of the year against Marcos Maidana certainly made the former Olympic silver medallist an emerging star on the world stage, but on this day in 2011, it was time for the Bolton fighter to return home.
There had been calls for Khan to face another high-profile name but it would be European champion Paul McCloskey who would step through the ropes to challenge for the WBA strap in Manchester. The Northern Irishman headed into the contest unbeaten in 22 outings, and he was meeting Khan on the back of five stoppage wins, albeit against lesser-known opponents. The event had the feel of a homecoming for Khan more than a 50-50 world title bout, but McCloskey was confident that he could cause a massive upset against the champion.
However, from the opening bell, Khan looked intent on making a statement against the challenger. Much like his rapid start against Maidana, he looked to find the power punch that would bring an early end to proceedings, but McCloskey was wise to Khan's attacks. He fired little back at his opponent, which resulted in him losing the round, but he avoided Khan's combinations and it was a satisfactory start for the 31-year-old.
It was a similar story in the second, with Khan looking to put together a flurry of punches with McCloskey more intent on avoiding any telling blows rather than offering a reply of his own. The home fighter ended the stanza well, but in the third, he started to show his frustration and that only encouraged McCloskey who looked to inflict his first bit of damage on the champion during the latter stages of the round.
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At this point against Maidana, Khan was in a rhythm and executing his style superbly, but McCloskey was effective in stifling a fighter usually so creative and explosive. Khan was doing enough to win rounds, but this wasn't the statement that he was looking for and McCloskey was growing in confidence. The fifth saw the pair trade punches with neither man being particularly hurt, but Khan ended the stronger, connecting with a right-left combination that took the wind out of the challenger's sails.
The sixth was a stop-start affair, but it sprung to life at the midway point when Khan put together a sustained attack that left McCloskey in survival mode. The Northern Irishman held on but he came out of the exchange with a cut above his left eye from a clash of heads. Despite being assessed, it didn't appear that an injury would cause an abrupt stoppage to the bout, but the ringside doctor thought otherwise, much to the frustration of McCloskey and promoter Barry Hearn.
The result of the fight was left in the hands of the judges, with all three officials awarding a 60-54 verdict to Khan. However, the complaints centred around the stoppage, with McCloskey describing how he felt "shocked and numb", while Hearn called it a "shameful and astonishing" decision by the doctor and demanded an immediate rematch for his fighter.
A second meeting between the two never materialised but later in the year, McCloskey enhanced his reputation with a points victory over Breidis Prescott, a man who knocked Khan out inside a round in 2008. This victory would prove to be the highlight of his career, and after suffering two defeats in three outings, McCloskey retired from the sport in September 2014.
Darren Plant
