Amir Khan vows to fight on — but stats from Terence Crawford loss are worrying

Amir Khan claims he will carry on because he doesn’t want to end his career on the low of his controversial defeat to Terence Crawford.

Britain's Khan lost by a sixth round TKO in New York on Saturday night, when his trainer Virgil Hunter claimed he could not continue because he had been hurt by a low blow.

Crawford accused him of quitting and he was booed by the 14,000 crowd inside Madison Square Garden.

Khan is hurt by the accusation and is adamant he will not bow out on such a disappointment.

“I don’t want to end my career like that, I definitely don’t,” insisted the former unified light-welterweight champ. “I want to spend time with family now and then see. But I’m 32 and I think I have a lot more in me. I love the sport like I always have.

Challenger Khan's loss to welterweight champ Crawford was his fifth as a pro (Reuters)

“It’s not my last fight. No, not at all. Definitely man, you’ll see me again.”

Khan, now 32, insists he could still land another world title shot, despite his fifth pro loss and fourth stoppage.

“I will always have world title fights,” he said defiantly. “I will always have opportunities to fight for world titles, so yeah, I think that will always be there.”

Khan’s only realistic payday is an all-British meeting with bitter rival Kell Brook, who was ringside — and he says that fight may now finally happen.

“The Brook fight is always going to be there and I think it’ll still be there,” said Khan. “I really believe that fight is there.”

WHAT THE SCORECARDS SAID

Amir Khan was way behind on all three judges’ scorecards when he retired hurt. American Eric Marlinski gave Terence Crawford every round and had him six points clear because of his put-down in the first. Guido Cavalleri from Italy gave Khan the second round and US official Steve Weisfeld the third. Otherwise, it was a shut-out for Crawford.

Amir Khan finished in US after 'quit' row — now Kell Brook about his only option

Crawford put Khan down in round one and had a big points lead when the fight ended (Getty)

Scorecards after the five completed rounds:

Guido Cavalleri: 49-45 Crawford

Eric Marlinski: 50-44 Crawford

Steve Weisfeld: 49-45 Crawford

WHAT THE PUNCH STATS SAID

Amir Khan’s sixth round TKO loss to Terence Crawford was the first time he had been comprehensively outboxed in his 38-fight pro career. Compubox stats show the champion threw more punches and was much more accurate. Crawford outlanded Khan in terms of total punches thrown, power punches converted and jabs landed.