Team Khan is extremely disappointed with the recent press release sent out by Paul McCloskey’s promoter, Barry Hearn, accusing Amir Khan of using the Irish fighter to get a cheap title defence.

A substantial offer was put to McCloskey’s team that would have seen the Irishman receive up to three times the amount he has ever been paid for a fight. Mr McCloskey’s promoter asked for a purse over five times the amount he has ever received.

Every time Team Khan believed that they were close to agreeing terms with Mr McCloskey, his team would move the goalposts and ultimately their demands were rejected as being unrealistic.

Even though Paul McCloskey is not a pay-per-view fighter, his team demanded significant shares of the PPV revenue. In an effort to recognise McCloskey’s ability to sell tickets he was offered up to 20% commission on ticket sales. His team however demanded more. Asif Vali, Business Manager of Amir Khan, said:

“Barry Hearn has out priced his fighter having demanded an astronomical amount despite the fact an excellent offer was put forward to him. The deal put to McCloskey was a great one and looking back on it may be something he will regret.

The challenger’s concern should not be about how much the champion is getting paid but the purse he will be getting – I wonder whether McCloskey has overlooked this.

The offer put to McCloskey’s team was not ‘totally derisory’ as Hearn claimed but was a deal that most fighters in his position would jump at.”

Amir Khan was eager for this all British affair to go-ahead at the Manchester Evening News Arena on April 16th but will now revisit other options currently on the table.