BoxRec

Amir Khan has praised the influence of his trainer Oliver Harrison in helping him make a smooth transition from amateur to professional boxing.

The 19-year-old has won all eight of his paid fights so far, six of them via stoppage, during an impressive first year since leaving the amateur ranks.

"Oliver is a great coach," he said. "I've kept a bit of the amateur style that he wanted me to keep and I think we work together well."

Khan's development has also been aided by stablemates such as British light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore, who also trains at Oliver's Gym in Salford.

"Jamie Moore trains in the same camp as us and we do a lot of training together," added Khan.

"He knows me, he watches me spar and gives me a few tips.

"He's British champion and has all that experience. In a way I'm following in his footsteps because I want to be a champion and win the title.

"It's good to have him in my corner, showing his support and being 100% behind me."

Does anyone know why Oliver Harrison was selected as Kahn's coach, not saying it should be someone else, just wondered why they didn't go for a more well known name.

Harrison is from a kick boxing background isn't he. Im not that convinced by him because I think there are some fairly obviouse problems with his style and they don't seem to have been cleared up.

He has won 8 of his fights however not against much oppostion I'd like to see him against opposition who put him under some pressure (I.e. hit back)

I don't know a great deal about Harrison, I was surprised at the time that Khan was being trained by him as he wasn't considered a top flight coach. I guess they have their own reasons, but I would have liked to have seen someone more experienced as his trainer, quite who I don't know, there aren't many trainers in this country with a history of guiding a British fighter to a world title, and those that are, are no longer I think associated with Sports Network. There are few proven British coaches these days, but I guess you have to give someone a crack at guiding Khan along.

I think at some point Khan would benefit enormously from training abroad, some of our most successful fighters have done just that in the past, but these days it seems to be relatively rare for a british fighter to up sticks and train in the US.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I don't know a great deal about Harrison, I was surprised at the time that Khan was being trained by him as he wasn't considered a top flight coach. I guess they have their own reasons, but I would have liked to have seen someone more experienced as his trainer, quite who I don't know, there aren't many trainers in this country with a history of guiding a British fighter to a world title, and those that are, are no longer I think associated with Sports Network. There are few proven British coaches these days, but I guess you have to give someone a crack at guiding Khan along.

I think at some point Khan would benefit enormously from training abroad, some of our most successful fighters have done just that in the past, but these days it seems to be relatively rare for a british fighter to up sticks and train in the US.

I aggree he realy could do with going to the US. The fact is Kahn is young and has potencial and other than possibly Brendan Ingle can't think of many who have trained at top level consistantly. Look at tennis the LTA got the best guy in the world to come and coach Murry there prospect.

Harrison is good, better than 99% of British trainers.

Does Harrison train Jamie Moore as well? Maybe they were looking for a more low key figure in Khan's corner considering all the hype surrounding his every move, for the record i have heard good things about Harrison. Not that my opinion counts for much though

Well Khan's certainly developed physically but I think he's still very amateurish and... how can I say... herky jerky I suppose.

He jumps in and out and has great reflexes but just needs to plant his feet a bit more and add more power rather than fast flurries which look great but don't have much of an effect – ie not on guys who are tough like in his fight before last.

He rushes in far too much and is over-eager and just needs to calm down a bit. Probably take someone to put him on his arse before he does though. He's very open to a good counter right sometimes and left hook to the head when he leans back, but gets away with it because he is so quick.

He's an excellent prospect but I'm not 100 per cent convinced and feel his level of opposition should be stepped up, even though he is only 19. But that's not a big problem because he was already competing and beating the best top amateurs at 17, so it's a case of if you're big enough you're good enough.

Oliver Harrison was a good British level Muay Thai fighter under Master Sken in the late 80s.

I was surprised when he was chosen to train Khan but maybe they wanted someone with a small stable of fighters that could give Khan alot of attention?

Coupled to that, I am sure Warren didnt want another Billy Graham, who became involved in negotaiting both his fighter's purses and who they boxed whilst still working with Warren.

Harrison, from what I can tell, seems a more quiet and less abrasive personality.

Whats Warren's relationship with Ingle like? Would have been an interesting camp for Kahn as he produces a lot of solid pros some of whome have opperated at high levels, would also be good for the kid to have done some sparing with Witter.. That'd tighten up his guard when he's on the attack pretty damn quick

josh fg wrote:Whats Warren's relationship with Ingle like?

poor

The master of understatement strikes again.

I can remember hearing Ingle YEARS ago, complaining bitterly at ringside about the fact that Warren was giving Hatton all the opportunities.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:The master of understatement strikes again.

I can remember hearing Ingle YEARS ago, complaining bitterly at ringside about the fact that Warren was giving Hatton all the opportunities.

what did they fall out about, poor treatment of Ingle fighters?

Didn't they fall out when Hamed left Warren?

I don't think that was anything to do with Ingle though was it, it was Naz and brothers who wanted to look elsewhere, or is my memory failing me?

Ingle seemed to lose his mind over Witter completely, and you could argue he didn't do his fighter any favours by continually barracking Warren and slagging him off in the press. I'm sure he had junior's interests at heart, but Warren seemed to get more and more pissed off, and seemed to deliberately try and sideline Witter, putting him in a series of meaningless career stalling fights. I can understand his rationale, who wants to help someone who is a thorn in their side?

To be fair James, Warren delivered Witter a title fight against Pinto, and Witter as is well known pulled a sickie instead of fighting him - As far as I can remember that was the straw to break the camels back in regards the relationship between the Ingle camp and SN.

In actual fact all those meaningless fights you mention did nothing BUT enhance Witter's reputation and stock amongst boxing fans. It was all being done with the emphasis on a big British title fight against Hatton.

By leaving SN, Witter and the Ingles did themselves no favours at all.