After spending a year away from the ring former two-time titlist Amir Khan says he is refreshed and ready to go against Luis Collazo May 3 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on “The Moment” undercard headlined by Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Marcos Maidana.
Taking such a long layoff from fighting would create ring rust for most, but Khan is confident that he will be loose and as sharp as ever.
“I’m very happy I had that 12 months off and I’m going to be fresh, I’m going to be strong,” Khan said. “The main thing is that I needed that break and I’ve had that break and I’m going to be coming into the ring like a new person.”
At the weigh-in Collazo (35-5, 18 KOs) commented on him not being impressed by Khan (28-3, 19 KOs) in person and feels he will have no problem taking care of business Saturday night. Khan suggested that Collazo may have had to cut too much weight last minute, which will leave him weaker, although he will have the size advantage come fight night.
“Collazo looked drained, so he’s having trouble making weight,” Khan explained. “He’s probably going to be bigger than me, but look the thing is skills pay the bills and at the end of the day skills are going to win this fight .
“We’ll see what Collazo does, because he always falls short against tough guys and I think he’s going to fall short again.”
Not only is being on the undercard of a Mayweather pay-per-view card in Las Vegas huge for Khan, the real possibility that if he can impress Saturday night that he’ll get his own crack at the pound-for-pound king is also on the line.
“It’s all about winning this next fight really,” Khan stated. “I mean to win this next fight will take me where I need to be. Winning in good style as the chief support for a Mayweather card… I need to win this fight in good style and just take it from there.”
