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Khan ready to go to America in search for new coach

05/06/2008

British boxing star Amir Khan could be about to move to America to work with potential new trainer Buddy McGirt.

Khan split from his previous coach Oliver Harrison last month and will have the inexperienced Dean Powell in his corner for his Commonwealth lightweight title defence against Michael Gomez on June 21.

The Olympic silver medallist will then travel to the states to look at potential coaches, but while the likes of Roger Mayweather and Freddie Roach have been touted as possible candidates – McGirt has emerged as the favourite to train one of the most exciting prospects in the world.

"We're going to go to America after Amir's next fight to see different people. The trainers are queuing up to work with Amir," said Khan's father Shah.

"We've had loads of phone calls from trainers on both sides of the Atlantic. We've got a big decision to make in the coming week and the final decision will be Amir's."

McGirt is a former world light-welterweight and welterweight champion, but has made his name as a trainer.

The 44-year-old has trained the likes of Antonio Tarver and Arturo Gatti to world titles and currently trains rising star Paulie Mallignaggi, who is the IBF light-welterweight champion of the world.