Khan fight in jeopardy: Work visa denied by US

[whiskey]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/others ... enied.html

Khan is due to defend the WBA 140lb title against Paulie Malignaggi on May 15 at Madison Square Garden, but had to transfer to Vancouver from the Los Angeles gym of trainer Freddie Roach a week ago after an application for his work visa for the contest became an issue.

Khan was forced to leave and go to Canada to re-apply for the work permit.


It is believed the delay may have been caused after US officials scrutinised Khan’s motoring offences in the UK.

In October 2007 Khan, then 20, was convicted of careless driving after he went through a red light and injured a pedestrian. He was driving his £87,000 BMW convertible in Bradshawgate, Bolton, when he struck Geoffrey Hatton on a pelican crossing.

Mr Hatton, 55, suffered a broken leg in the incident. Khan was cleared of dangerous driving, but found guilty of careless driving. He was given a six-month driving ban and fined £1,000.

Three months later he was back in court to face magistrates for an earlier offence of speeding. A police officer said his own speedometer was "off the clock" at 155mph as he pursued the boxer on the M62 motorway near Rochdale. He was fined £1,000 and banned for 42 days for speeding in his BMW.

Last summer, Khan, 22, was behind the wheel of his Range Rover when he was involved in an accident with a cyclist. A spokesman for the police later added that no further action would be taken against Khan.

The delay in the visa has meant that Freddie Roach, Khan’s trainer, yesterday flew to Vancouver from his base at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood to ensure that Khan’s preparations are kept on track ahead of a vital contest in his career, as he attempts to win over US boxing fans. Khan-Malignaggi will be screened on US cable giants HBO, while it is expected that an announcement is imminent for ITV to show the contest in the UK.

According to a source at Golden Boy Promotions, Khan’s handlers in the US, it may be up as long as a week before the work visa could be issued from the US Consulate in Vancouver.

Robert Diaz, the matchmaker for Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, speaking exclusively to The Daily Telegraph, said: “Amir Khan has had to go to Vancouver, and it is due to a few incidents when he was younger, but we are completely confident that he will be in New York to defend his title ahead of the fight with Malignaggi.

“Khan is a professional, and he has maintained his focus throughout the events that have taken place. Freddie Roach has gone up to Vancouver because it has taken longer to sort this out than we at first thought.”

An added twist to the May 15 event is that Colombian Breidis Prescott, Khan’s nemesis 17 months ago, has been added to the Madison Square Garden undercard.

Prescott was beaten by East Londoner Kevin Mitchell in Newcastle last December, propelling his career forward. Mitchell now faces Michael Katsidis for the interim World Boxing Organisation lightweight title on May 15, at Upton Park, hours before Khan, visa permitting, will meet Malignaggi.

[Autobarn]

perhaps prescott will get the fight with malignaggi.

has khan's reckless driving well and truly bit him on the arse?

[whiskey]

Latest Tweet. Apparently it's nothing to do with breaking a man's legs after jumping a red light doing 47 in a 30 zone... he's been refused because of his surname.

"​Hi guys in Vancouver for the work visa for the states been here for few days with Freddie change of scenery and sparring partners still training hard can't wait to be let loose on Paulie! The US embassy in Vancouver just doing the standard checks and procedure due to the name KHAN. Good night"

[Dioufy]

Every time I have met Khan, he seems like a pleasant young man. If that is him, then he has well and truly changed into something that isn't very nice. Just to make myself feel better, I will watch Khan/Prescott - the bloodshed.

[banjo]

Latest Tweet. Apparently it's nothing to do with breaking a man's legs after jumping a red light doing 47 in a 30 zone... he's been refused because of his surname.

"​Hi guys in Vancouver for the work visa for the states been here for few days with Freddie change of scenery and sparring partners still training hard can't wait to be let loose on Paulie! The US embassy in Vancouver just doing the standard checks and procedure due to the name KHAN. Good night"

It probably is true, that's what made me laugh about the whole moving to America to escape anti-Muslim thing, he gets a bit of abuse thrown at him over here so what does he do? Goes to the country which has declared war on all things Muslim.

[whiskey]

Visa applications getting rejected are nothing new. Pacquiao's was questioned last year after he overstayed it's period.

It's usually when you don't tell them everything up front and then it emerges that you've broke the law that it gets messy. That's when it comes flying out the blue.

Makes you wonder if someone made a call to the US consul.. they timed it beautifully.

[mickey1975]

It is very possible he was refused because of his name.I know plenty of lads who go over all the time,even to work,with far worse records than Khan's.Being a Muslim,in New York,of all places,he wont get any favours from anybody

[black panther]

Latest Tweet. Apparently it's nothing to do with breaking a man's legs after jumping a red light doing 47 in a 30 zone... he's been refused because of his surname.

"​Hi guys in Vancouver for the work visa for the states been here for few days with Freddie change of scenery and sparring partners still training hard can't wait to be let loose on Paulie! The US embassy in Vancouver just doing the standard checks and procedure due to the name KHAN. Good night"

Don't want in to get in a different discussion but from my own experiences at American airports, authorities can make life difficult for asians. Missed connecting flights because I was taken in for "questioning" for no good reason and years back when my little brother and cousin were only 13 they were held back, questioned and taken to the back room for an extra metal detector test, despite having not set of the main one. I'm all for "better to be safe than sorry" and I don't mind answering any questions. But these guys can really take the p*** sometimes.

[tonyevs]

Latest Tweet. Apparently it's nothing to do with breaking a man's legs after jumping a red light doing 47 in a 30 zone... he's been refused because of his surname.

"​Hi guys in Vancouver for the work visa for the states been here for few days with Freddie change of scenery and sparring partners still training hard can't wait to be let loose on Paulie! The US embassy in Vancouver just doing the standard checks and procedure due to the name KHAN. Good night"

It probably is true, that's what made me laugh about the whole moving to America to escape anti-Muslim thing, he gets a bit of abuse thrown at him over here so what does he do? Goes to the country which has declared war on all things Muslim.

Oh no .. don`t start encouraging the prat to claim America is being racist to him now because the visa is being questioned


Surely his people should have sorted out a re-newal much sooner anyway. But of course Khan will claim its to do with his muslim sounding surname


The pacman had problems with his visa because he had stayed in America almost up to the limit where he would have to pay added tax on his ring earnings ... thats why he had to shorten his stay there last time.

[banjo]

Well it's not racism is it? Because Muslims aren't a race even though they like to think they are but I guarantee you in America Muslims are treated differently for obvious reasons.

[whiskey]

I'm no fan of Khan's approach to boxing or what tripe he comes out with, but I smell a stitch up.

Surely they would have forecast this situation or been advised it was happening. To suddenly be told 'pack your bags immediately' seems to indicate that there is something more afoot.

[terminator]

Last time he went to America for the Presser he was held for two hours at JFK and was asked questions related to terrorism etc.

[Datsue]

Well it's not racism is it? Because Muslims aren't a race even though they like to think they are but I guarantee you in America Muslims are treated differently for obvious reasons.

Because it's full of people like verballistic?

[banjo]

Well it's not racism is it? Because Muslims aren't a race even though they like to think they are but I guarantee you in America Muslims are treated differently for obvious reasons.

Because it's full of people like verballistic?

My point exactly

[Poncey]

Visa applications getting rejected are nothing new. Pacquiao's was questioned last year after he overstayed it's period.

It's usually when you don't tell them everything up front and then it emerges that you've broke the law that it gets messy. That's when it comes flying out the blue.

Makes you wonder if someone made a call to the US consul.. they timed it beautifully.

Not quite. If you have a criminal conviction it Can be very tough to get a work visa approved. Bradley Prices was rejected when he was due to fight on the Calzaghe Hopkins card and a lad I train with couldn't fight at UFC108 because of it and has had to try and get on via fighting in Canada.

The Yanks are fuckers for it.

[sy86]

An added twist to the May 15 event is that Colombian Breidis Prescott, Khan’s nemesis 17 months ago, has been added to the Madison Square Garden undercard.

Prescott was beaten by East Londoner Kevin Mitchell in Newcastle last December, propelling his career forward. Mitchell now faces Michael Katsidis for the interim World Boxing Organisation lightweight title on May 15, at Upton Park, hours before Khan, visa permitting, will meet Malignaggi.

Who is promoting Prescott now? sounds like they could be setting up a rematch if Prescott impresses.

[johnswan1]

Serves the mouthy little pudendum right.

[Asterix]

Latest Tweet. Apparently it's nothing to do with breaking a man's legs after jumping a red light doing 47 in a 30 zone... he's been refused because of his surname.

"​Hi guys in Vancouver for the work visa for the states been here for few days with Freddie change of scenery and sparring partners still training hard can't wait to be let loose on Paulie! The US embassy in Vancouver just doing the standard checks and procedure due to the name KHAN. Good night"

It probably is true, that's what made me laugh about the whole moving to America to escape anti-Muslim thing, he gets a bit of abuse thrown at him over here so what does he do? Goes to the country which has declared war on all things Muslim.

I thought the same thing.

[Counter-puncher]

It probably is true, that's what made me laugh about the whole moving to America to escape anti-Muslim thing, he gets a bit of abuse thrown at him over here so what does he do? Goes to the country which has declared war on all things Muslim.

[J]

would be rather ironic after Khans accusation of Britihs racism if he wasnt allowed to ply his trade stateside doe to this.

karma i believe it is called.

[terminator]

would be rather ironic after Khans accusation of Britihs racism if he wasnt allowed to ply his trade stateside doe to this.

karma i believe it is called.

????

If he was being racially abused like when he had a group of racist chavs go for him at an amateur event in Liverpool then you would actually have a point!

and when did muslims become a race?

[J]

Calm down lad,
i never said they were if you havent been living under a stone in never never land for the past 12 months you would know that AMIR accused SOME brits of being racists and cited it as reason to emigrate.

If he were forced home due to US micro-inequities it would be somewhat ironic.

What is so difficult to understand about that?

[whiskey]

Dont worry about Terminator, he only pops up on Khan threads.

[coneye]

Bet Khan notyified the authorities himself , after someone told him Paulie is training hard , and punching harder than normal

[terminator]

Bet Khan notyified the authorities himself , after someone told him Paulie is training hard , and punching harder than normal

Ok D

It will be interesting to see the reaction on here if Khan stops Malignaggi in 3 rounds as predicted by Roach!