When Saturday comes

Taylor and Nolan: in the ring

It is good to see Newcastle top of the Championship table and I can't wait to give the Geordies even more to cheer next Saturday night.

Amir Khan
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• Read Amir's Fight Diary

Saturday, November 28

After a busy day on Friday, this morning was the chance for a rare lie-in... until 7.30am!

It doesn't sound much, but it was nice to join Alex at the track two hours later than usual. We did a run and a swim, then it was back to the house for breakfast and some more sleep.

Then it was back down the gym for an afternoon sparring session, which is the last one I am going to do. The initial plan was to have one more on Monday, but sparring has gone so well, I am feeling so good, that Freddie has seen enough and that will be it now.

The next time I get the gloves on and get in the ring will be Saturday night, when Dmitriy Salita will be in the opposite corner and I really can't wait.

We have done the hard work now and the week will be spent just staying sharp, tuning down, making sure I am 100 per cent come fight night. I've got to say Alex has done a tremendous job with my strengthening, I really do feel better than ever.

I'll spend the next week working with Freddie on the gameplan, focussing on what we have to do to beat Salita. Some fighters find this last week before a fight a bit tough, but I am used to it now.

I manage to stay calm and do go into my shell á little bit, which means I am not one for long conversations or anything that will distract me from the job in hand.

Like most guys on a Saturday, I do follow the football and the day got off to a great start when I got a lovely text from Big Sam Allardyce, telling me his heart operation went well and that he is at home recovering.

Sam has always followed my career and I wish him a speedy recovery. I was also happy with Bolton's point at Fulham, although a win would've been nice.

Big Sam won't be there in Newcastle on Saturday, but I can tell you that Steven Taylor and Kevin Nolan will be joining me somewhere in the ring pre-fight. Steven is obviously a local legend in Newcastle and Kevin, I know well from his Bolton days.

He has been known to put the gloves on and bang away at the bag at the Bolton training ground and it will be nice to see them both on Saturday. It is good to see Newcastle top of the Championship table and I can't wait to give the Geordies even more to cheer next Saturday night.

I really am itching to get in that ring...