Amir Khan finally made his return to the ring last night. The man who has been dubbed ‘King Khan’ took to the squared circle for the first time since being brutally knocked cold by Saul Alvarez in Las Vegas during 2016.
It was his first of a three-fight agreement under his new promotional handlers in Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing and Khan’s performance last night seems to indicate better times could still lie ahead for the Bolton native.
In the lead up to the fight, Khan had been discussing the need to provide ‘fireworks’ in his return fight with Lo Greco, following a somewhat bitter build up.
The champ is back?? Firstly I want to thank God. Also want to thank all my fans for coming to support me! #teamkhan @EddieHearn @SkySportsBoxing @MatchroomBoxing pic.twitter.com/ZbRX1QZzxu
— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) April 22, 2018
Khan revealed his intentions as the echo of the opening bell was still fresh in the spectators’ ears.
Khan usually, a moving target, utilising movement uncharacteristically came straight at Lo Greco and looked to command the centre of the ring from the get go.
Many had questioned whether Khan was perhaps past his best coming into this fight. However, Khan’s most pivotal weapon over the years had always been his speed.
Lo Greco was given a taste of that speed in the early stages of the round after the Canadian got clipped with a right uppercut, left hook combination in a blur of an eye.
Khan then fired a conventional, straight left jab, right cross combination that placed Lo Greco on the seat of his pants inside of fifteen seconds.
It was clear, Lo Greco was on shaky foundations following that knockdown. He looked dejected and like that ring was the last place he wanted to be.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh2S0TaFCdh/?hl=en&taken-by=amirkingkhan
Khan went for the kill following the first knockdown and once again his speed was a telling factor.
Lo Greco couldn’t see the punches coming. Another barrage of blows beginning with another solid left uppercut on the point of the chin forced him towards the ropes before the referee saw fit to call off the contest.
Now with rivals Kell Brook and Amir Khan both securing winning starts to 2018. Surely that long awaited showdown is finally drawing closer?
Adding power to his hand speed, @amirkingkhan was deadly accurate w/punches ending it at :39 of Rd1-The Bolton??star looked superfit & fine tuned by trainer JoeGoossen! #LetsGetReadyToRumble ® @MatchroomBoxing @EddieHearn @SkySportsBoxing @EchoArena https://t.co/ebdV5VhJ6w
— Michael Buffer (@Michael_Buffer) April 22, 2018
READ MORE:
Eddie Hearn insists they will not pay over the odds to secure Deontay Wilder unification
Manny Pacquiao discusses legacy, says Matthysse fight not his last
