Roach slams Kotelnik excuse

by Ciaran Baynes , 19 June 2009

Freddie Roach has slammed Andreas Kotelnik for delaying his fight with Amir Khan and feels he is an example of weak modern-day fighters.

Kotelnik's mouth infection led his WBA light welterweight title defence against Khan to be delayed from June 27 to July 18 - and ultimately switched to the MEN Arena from the O2 Arena.

The two-time Trainer of the Year feels the Ukrainian's excuse was a lame one, feeling it was more a case of being mentally weak and sought to link him with another recent high profile pull-out, Floyd Mayweather.

"We've had a great training camp, we peaked in sparring, I'm very disappointed this opponent pulled out with a toothache," Roach said.

"I remember when champions fought. If he can fight two weeks' later...come on. I'm a little ticked off because we peaked.

"Now we have to go back to America get the sparring partners intact and make the preparations again.

"Its very disappointing of course but these things happen. Mayweather pulled out with a bad rib - I remember when fighters' fought.

"Kotelnik said he'd knock us out quicker than the last guy [Breidis] Prescott but then he gets a toothache and pulls out of the fight I think its bull****."

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