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Jorge Rubio, the new trainer for undefeated star of British boxing, Amir Khan, has promised to help deliver a world title to the 21-year-old hot-shot.
Rubio, the Florida based Cuban, met the media yesterday at a workout with Khan in Khan’s Boxing Gym in Bolton, England. He stated that Khan was among the most talented fighters he has worked with, which is saying a lot considering that Rubio coached the Cuban national amateur squad and is currently training unbeaten featherweight prospect and 2004 Olympic Champion Yuriorkis Gamboa.
If all goes to plan, Rubio is confident that he will help guide Khan to a world title within the next 12 months.
Promoter Frank Warren is confident that his protege, world-rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization and No. 4 by the World Boxing Council, will make it to the top.
“It’s my ambition to make Amir a world champion,” said Rubio. “I believe he has got the talent to reign for years. I have been working on his defence and his footwork, but I’m not looking at changing him too much, just improving on certain areas. It will take time, but Amir has already20got better in the few weeks I’ve worked with him, and I’m seeing the difference every day. Amir Khan is a smart guy and I only have to tell him something once before he puts into practice. He has all the tools to become a world champion.”
Rubio’s innovative training techniques were on display during yesterday’s intense workout as Khan worked on his footwork and head movement in a ring traversed by ropes.
“Jorge is a great trainer,” said undefeated Commonwealth champion Khan, 18-0 (14). “I knew as soon as I met him that he was the man for me. I’d met Buddy McGirt, Freddie Roach and really liked Floyd Mayweather Sr, but when I hooked up with Jorge, I loved his style and his teaching methods.
“I think I’ve been hit more by him that I have been by my opponents, because if I leave my hands low, even by a fraction of an inch, he whacks me one with the pads! He’s got me moving my head a lot more and slipping shots, and I think I’ve come on a lot just in two weeks. He can definitely take me to the next level, which is a world title.”
Khan returns to action at the MEN Arena, Manchester, on September 6.
