Frank Warren Hits Out After Amir Khan's Opponent is Denied Visa
Frank Warren has criticized Home Office officials after Andreas Kotelnik was unable to obtain a visa to attend a press conference for his fight with Amir Khan
Frank Warren has criticised Home Office officials after Andreas Kotelnik, the World Boxing Association light-welterweight champion who defends his title against Amir Khan on 27 June, was unable to obtain a visa to attend a pre-fight press conference at the fight's venue, the O2. His enforced absence, described as "ridiculous" by the promoter, means the fighters will next come face-to-face in June as Khan flies to Los Angeles this week to open his training camp.
"I shouldn't think he is a threat to national security and seeing as the UK expelled 12 people yesterday that shouldn't be in the country it seems the best way to get into Britain is to not have a visa and just sneak in, get a job and get benefits," said Warren.
In a statement issued on his behalf, the German-based Ukrainian said he had spent two days at the consulate attempting to obtain a visa. "I was handled like shit," he said. "I am so sorry not to be there and I send my best wishes to my opponent Amir Khan. I will knock him out on 27 June as I am so annoyed right now."
Khan, 22, is stepping up a division from lightweight to secure his first world title bout, a prospect that seemed inconceivable in September, when he was knocked out in the first minute by Breidis Prescott. That, the only defeat in Khan's 21 professional bouts, led to him enlisting the American trainer, Freddie Roach.
"Things happen for a reason and that defeat is one of the reasons I'm in LA now and I've changed so much," said Khan. "I've changed from a boy to a man." Kotelnik has won 31 of his 34 bouts since turning pro and shares some amateur heritage with Khan – both lost in Olympic gold-medal bouts to the Cuban Mario Kindelan, Kotelnik's silver coming in 2000.
"I shouldn't think he is a threat to national security and seeing as the UK expelled 12 people yesterday that shouldn't be in the country it seems the best way to get into Britain is to not have a visa and just sneak in, get a job and get benefits," said Warren.
In a statement issued on his behalf, the German-based Ukrainian said he had spent two days at the consulate attempting to obtain a visa. "I was handled like shit," he said. "I am so sorry not to be there and I send my best wishes to my opponent Amir Khan. I will knock him out on 27 June as I am so annoyed right now."
Khan, 22, is stepping up a division from lightweight to secure his first world title bout, a prospect that seemed inconceivable in September, when he was knocked out in the first minute by Breidis Prescott. That, the only defeat in Khan's 21 professional bouts, led to him enlisting the American trainer, Freddie Roach.
"Things happen for a reason and that defeat is one of the reasons I'm in LA now and I've changed so much," said Khan. "I've changed from a boy to a man." Kotelnik has won 31 of his 34 bouts since turning pro and shares some amateur heritage with Khan – both lost in Olympic gold-medal bouts to the Cuban Mario Kindelan, Kotelnik's silver coming in 2000.
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