McCloskey to face Khanqueror
June 19- Jonny Stapleton
Not quite the rematch he craved but Paul McCloskey will get a second chance to out do Amir Khan, as he faces the only fighter to have defeated the WBA World champion in the Odyssey Arena on September 10.
McCloskey has an indirect opportunity to avenge his sole career loss by over coming ‘The Khanqueror, Breidis Prescott in a WBA light welterweight world title eliminator.
The Golden Boy fighter certainly didn’t come out of his April defence against ‘Dudey’ glistening and despite winning via a controversial stoppage told McCloskey to defeat all the fighters he had over come if he wanted a rematch.
It seems the Dungiven stylist is planning to go one better and plans to record a reverse over the Columbian, who ended ‘King Khan’s’ undefeated reign in explosive fashion via a first round stoppage in 2008.
However, despite the obvious Khan link the former European champion stressed he is not facing Prescott in a bid to secure a rematch with the Freddie Roach trained star, rather to place himself in World title pole.
The Derry stylist claims World title success and not Khan redemption is his priority and he believes victory over the dangerous South American can fast track him back to the top.
“Believe me I would love to fight Amir Khan again . I still feel like an unbeaten fighter. I didn’t get beat that night. I might have been behind on points but I was fit and fresh and the fight shouldn’t have been stopped,” a clam and relaxed McCloskey explained.
“However, fighting Prescott is not about trying to get another fight with Amir Khan. This fight is about getting another shot at the World title. I don’t care if I fight King Kong or Mickey Mouse I just want to fight for a world title. Trust me I am over the Amir Khan fight. I was over it after a few weeks after. You cant live in the past you have to move forward and its about getting a world title now.
“The Khan record has been played a million times since April so it’s a matter of moving on now. We wanted the right kind of fight and Prescott gives us the perfect opportunity. He provides us with the chance to get a world title shot again. Not many people wanted to fight him but I wanted him and I want a world title fight.”
Ever since he had Khan wobbling around the MEN ring most fighters including the recently maligned English star have opted against trading thunderous leather with Prescott.
For obvious reason’s the heavy handed pro poses a serious threat to the McCloskey’s international ambitions.
However the reward out weighs the risk and McCloskey believes he can secure a second World tilt by out foxing the man who had Khan gone in 54 seconds.
“This is an eliminator for the WBA world title. I have to be on my game. He is a very dangerous fighter. He might not be the best boxer and what he has in power he lacks in skill. I am confident I can out box him, but if I stand and toe to toe with him I could wake up with a few bruises the next morning. His record with 19 knocks outs speaks for itself. He knocked out Khan in under a minute. He cant be taken lightly.”
