Aston has insight to Khan fight

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), June 7, 2008

Byline: By DOUG THOMSON Deputy Sports Editor

CHRIS ASTON has a foot in both camps ahead of Amir Khan's next big boxing showdown.

The Huddersfield trainer's son, Tyrone Nurse, has been sparring with the Bolton ace's forth coming opponent Michael Gomez in the build - up to their Common wealth lightweight title meeting in Birmingham on Saturday, June 21.

And another of Aston's fighters, Dewsbury-based Syrian Youssef Al Hamidi, has been going toe-to-toe with Khan.

Nurse, 18, has previously sparred with Khan, giving Aston an intriguing insight into the way the leading British prospect operates.

"It's been interesting," said Aston.

"Khan has come on in leaps and bounds over the last year, and from looking at the pictures on the walls of his gym, you can see just how much he has matured physically.

"Going over to spar has been a great experience for both Tyrone and Youssef, because it shows the standards they must reach if they are to go anywhere in this game."

Nurse beat Kristian Laight in his first pro outing before his hopes of a second run-out against Baz Carey on the recent Ricky Hatton bill were dashed when no time slot could be found for the planned four-round bout.

Al Hamidi has been beaten in 10 of his 15 fights, but has proved himself a tough opponent, being stopped just the once.

That was by Gomez a year ago, and if any British lightweight can stop Khan, Aston reckons the colourful Mancunian, a former British and WBU super-featherweight title holder, is the one.

Born in Ireland in the back of a car that crashed taking his mother to hospital, the 30-year-old was originally named Armstrong but changed his name in tribute to his hero, former WBC featherweight champion Wilfredo Gomez.

"Beating Khan is a tough ask, but Gomez will go for it, and if he finds a chink in Khan's armour, he has the power to exploit it," said Aston.