Khan was unable to continue after the low blow in the sixth round.
Amir Khan is facing accusations that he took “a way out” after suffering a low blow from Terence Crawford in the sixth round of their fight at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
Khan was punched in the crotch by the American boxer after five rounds of a bout which had begun with Crawford putting the Bolton fighter to the ground in the first with a vicious right hook.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Khan denied that he had quit, something suggested by Teófimo López, who had defeated Finn Edis Tatli earlier in the night with a stunning body shot to secure his 11th KO in 13 professional fights.
López had said that he felt Khan had been looking for “a way out” of a fight that the judges had – up to that point – scored strongly in Crawford’s favour.
But Khan rejected this suggestion, saying he would rather be knocked out than quit a fight.
“I would never quit, I’d rather get knocked out. I’m just one of them fighters. I have been knocked out because I try to win fights,” said Khan, as a bemused Crawford pulled a face and asked Khan to clarify that he hadn’t in fact quit.
“I didn’t quit. I was hit with a low blow in the balls. I’ve not seen the video but it was a low blow. But look, if you guys think I quit, no problem. I’ve never quit from a fight, but Crawford is a great fighter and he beat me tonight.”
"I would never quit. I'd rather get knocked out."
"You didn't quit? Tell the truth."
"In the leg? You hit me in the balls!" 😳
Terence Crawford and Amir Khan argue on stage about whether he quit or not… 🤔 #CrawfordKhan pic.twitter.com/ZqO7KX5w29
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) April 21, 2019
