By Emmerson Campbell
Joint Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year and potential London Olympian, boxer Imran ‘Magic’ Khan returned to Guyana Saturday night from his three-week International Boxing Association (AIBA) training camp stint in Cardiff, Wales fully cognizant of what it takes to get to the next level.
Stabroek Sport caught up with Khan at his home in Albouystown yesterday and during an exclusive interview the rising boxing star intimated what his training was like as well as what he learnt.
“They trained us on all the basic stuff but the coaches basically stressed on me to use my reach and height, they really stressed on me to use my jab, straight punches and tighten my defence,” he said of his recent training stint.
“The training that I had over there is pretty much the same over here but it is a lot more intense and the equipment they have is a lot more advanced,” he added.
Khan, 19, said that on a daily basis under the watchful eyes of 20 coaches, the 62 boxers invited to the training camp would train three times per day.
“We would do three sessions a day. First, we get up like
6-o-clock everyday and do long runs between four to five miles. Mid-days we would have sparring sessions and in the afternoons we would beat the bags and pads,” Khan revealed.
The bantamweight pugilist said that he learnt a lot from watching and sparring with some of the world’s best amateur boxers.
“I used to spar every day, three rounds a day and by sparring with those guys, I learnt to jab more.
“I learnt a lot more about blocking and evading punches, fighting backwards and using my height to my advantage,” he added.
“I feel the training camp did improve me as a fighter. I know I am a better defensive and attacking fighter and what I learnt in Wales, when I go to the gym tomorrow (today) I will continue to do those same things.”
Khan stated that the AIBA training camp was highly beneficial and he says that the training and his new found knowledge will pay dividends at the Olympic Qualifiers in May in Rio de Janeiro.
“I think the training camp did a lot for me because I got the experience of watching and training with some of the best amateur boxers in the World.
“I saw their movements, their styles and when I start doing the same things in the gym, I will be a better fighter. It will help me a lot at the Olympic qualifiers in May,” he stated.
The ‘Magic’ man also revealed that once he does well at the Olympic Box off in May, he will be invited once more to Wales in July for another training stint just before the Olympics.
During the interview the Guyana amateur boxer of the year also thanked the president of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) Steve Ninvalle, his coaches Terrence Poole and James Walcott and AIBA.
Khan’s next outing will be in Trinidad and Tobago from March 19 to 25 at the pre-Olympics box off tournament.
Khan will be accompanied by six other top local amateur boxers.
(Caption)NO MAGIC INVOLVED! Amateur boxing star Imran ‘Magic’ Khan is aware after just returning from an Olympic training camp in Wales that only intense training could get him to the next level. (Orlando Charles photo)
