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Home , Amir Khan (boxer), Liam de Young

SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2014 ‘Better than ever’ vows to destroy Alexander

LOS ANGELES: British boxer Amir Khan is snatched it from Porter in August. Even Mayweather’s fight against defense. “When I put an attack together desperate to make up for lost time when he though there is no title on the line this time and saw Khan quickly shake off any rust from there has to be a way out or there has to be a finally steps into the ring today in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel, Khan (29-3, 19 KOs) a 12-month ring absence in impressive fash- way to stay out of trouble during that to face the American southpaw Devon sees today as a stepping stone to bigger pay- ion. assault,” said Khan. Alexander. “Devon’s got me at my best time. days and a chance to show off his improved “You can still be exciting, throw a lot of I am going to be more ready than I was last defensive skills. “It didn’t happen last WHO WEARS GOLD SHORTS? punches, but you have to be careful at the year,” said Khan, who will wear boxing’s December because obviously we changed a Both have made some special plans for same time.” The 27-year-old Alexander “most expensive shorts”-white nappa few things and I was hoping for the big fight this fight. Khan will be wearing his $31,000 meanwhile looked impressive in beating leather, silk and featuring a waistband made against Floyd and that fell through,” said the trunks, while Alexander, who is from St. Jesus Soto Karass six months ago. of 24-carat gold thread. former IBF and Louis, Missouri, will have as a guest the “I don’t see anything special with Khan,” Khan, who turned 28 on Monday and has light world champ. father of Michael Brown, the 18-year-old said the American. “He’s a little fast but among the fastest hands in boxing, was orig- “You can’t compare the Amir Khan 12 shot dead by a policeman in the St. Louis what else? Everybody’s fast. You’ve got to inally scheduled to fight the dangerous months ago to the Amir Khan now, I am way suburb of Ferguson. have something else in your arsenal at the Alexander for the International Boxing ahead. I am much better and much smarter.” Khan has been training in Oakland, top level.” has Federation welterweight title last December Khan and former two-division champion , with Virgil Hunter since been billing today’s fight as a stepping in New York. Alexander (26-2, 14 KOs) will square off in a September. Khan says in 13 weeks of training stone to a Mayweather or But the Briton scrapped the bout because 12-round non-title welterweight bout. he has sparred 162 rounds. world title bout. But asked earlier this he thought he had a chance at landing a Khan is coming off a victorious welter- Hiring Hunter as his trainer is the best week by reporters to be more specific, De blockbuster showdown with Floyd weight debut in May, when he looked sharp career move he has ever made, says Khan, La Hoya said: “I am just speaking as a pro- Mayweather that never came off. in a over former cham- resulting in three straight victories. moter... I don’t know if a Pacquiao and Alexander then lost the title to Shawn pion . Khan’s critics say he has a glass chin so Mayweather fight’s going to happen. I Porter, and Khan’s fellow Brit That bout was on the undercard of Hunter has been trying to improve his have no idea.”—AFP

BHUBANESWAR: ’s hockey player Sardar Singh (center) dribbles past Belgium’s player John John Dohmen (right) during their Hero quarter final match. —AFP India, set for intriguing semi

BHUBANESWAR: Arch-rivals India and fought back from a 0-2 deficit to beat number his joy with a suggestion. “To make this for- medals at the Western-boycotted Moscow Pakistan return to centre stage in four Belgium 4-2. Eleventh-ranked Pakistan mat fair to everyone, a handicap of one goal Games in 1980. yesterday after a controversial format helped stunned the Dutch by a similar margin after should be given to the table-toppers,” he said. Dutchman Roelant Oltmans, India’s high them reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals losing all their three league matches. The performance director who is acting as coach in Bhubaneswar. Germans knocked out 2-0 and FORMER MASTERS after Australian Terry Walsh was controversial- Instead of rewarding performances in the Australia ousted Argentina 4-2. Millions of fans across India and Pakistan ly axed last month, preferred to look ahead to preliminary league, all eight teams were Dutch coach Max Caldas had been wary of will tune in to what should be a rousing semi- the 2016 Olympics. “We need to play tough assured of reaching the quarter-finals-a round the format from the start. “If you lose all three final, a repeat of the Asian Games gold medal matches to prepare for the Olympics,” said which turned the tournament on its head, league games, you could still win the tourna- clash in South Korea in October which India Oltmans, who had earlier coached Pakistan. and left some teams quietly fuming. ment and I think that’s bad,” he had said earli- won in a penalty shoot-out. “And this tournament is as tough as it gets.” The top four teams in the league-England, er in the week. Once the masters of the sport, neither The other semi-final promises to be a the Netherlands, Argentina and Belgium-were In contrast, the surviving teams could not team has advanced to the final of a major classic between two young sides.Australia all knocked out in Thursday’s round of eight, hide their glee. “Although I am not in favour world competition since 1998, when Pakistan wear a new look in the absence of veterans while the bottom four sailed through to the of this (format), today I don’t mind it,” lost the Champions Trophy final to the Dutch Liam de Young and Rob Hammond, who semi-finals. Australian coach Graham Reid said on in Lahore. retired after the World Cup in June, and five- The format also helped new-look world Thursday. “I am so happy that both teams are in the time world player of the year champions Australia, seeking a sixth succes- German captain Moritz Furste added: “In semi-final,” Shaikh said. “For fans it is a dream. and Mark Knowles, who are both injured. sive title, and Olympic gold-medallists this situation it is good for us. It has given us a For me, it is a good sign that Asian teams Germany, with seven junior World Cup win- Germany recover from shaky starts to line up lease of life. We can go on to win the tourna- have started to do well again.” ners from 2013 in their squad, are banking for Saturday’s other semi-final. ment from here.” India have not won a major title since bag- on Furste, the world player of the year in Hosts India, ranked ninth in the world, Pakistan coach Shahnaz Shaikh tempered ging the last of their eight Olympic gold 2012, to deliver.—AFP