Where art thou Rubio?
Thursday 15 April 2010 10:35, UK
Adam Smith catches up with a fleetingly familiar face - and finds him still feeling the love for Amir Khan.
Adam Smith finds Amir Khan's former coach flourishing in Florida
When I was in Miami last week, I dropped by to see welterweight prospect Antwone Smith undergo a final training session before his appearance on Andre Berto's big Floridian card. I raised a wry smile when I saw who was training him... Jorge Rubio! Remember him? Jorge was the 'fall guy' after Amir Khan's shocking 54-second defeat to Columbian puncher Breidis Prescott. Many quickly looked for someone to blame, and Rubio, who had prepared Khan diligently for the task, was criticised for suggesting Prescott as an opponent in the first place - and then for mis-communication over the gameplan. First thing to say is that I liked Jorge when I met him in the build-up to the Prescott fight. Having split with Oliver Harrison, Amir had gone to America to 'try out' the high profile trainers like Floyd Mayweather Snr and Emanuel Steward. But after some advice from David Haye - who had spent time with Rubio on trips to Miami - and once he had felt comfortable, Amir chose Jorge to spearhead his career. As most fight fans know, the relationship was extremely short-lived; curtailed before it ever really got going. Rubio came to Bolton for the build-up to the Prescott debacle, and all seemed well. Amir's family - particularly dad Shah - really liked and rated Jorge and when we filmed them, it seemed a harmonious and calm camp. There was a good conditioner called Phil Richards on board. Like Rubio, Phil lost his job when the Khan team eventually joined the brilliant Freddie Roach and his terrific assistant Alex Ariza. That's boxing. Breidis Prescott was an unknown Colombian, but my colleague Craig Slater had visited him in Barranquilla and had found an inspired, ambitious young force. Prescott seemed raw, but he was unbeaten and huge for the lightweight limit.Horrified
Rubio said to me: "There was no opponent for Amir and we didn't have long. I had seen this guy Prescott, in Miami and he seemed fairly average. Dangerous early, but he became poorer as the rounds went on. "I showed the tapes to Amir's promoter and we agreed that he was the right fight at the right time. Backstage on the night of the clash, I told Amir to box and move for four rounds. Work behind his jab, to be careful. "I had no idea that he would rush in. He shouldn't have done that, and in a private moment backstage afterwards, he admitted he should have listened.
"Yes Amir lost the fight, but I was horrified at the press reaction," continued. "We did the conference, and I heard everyone shouting out that Amir was finished. Come on - he is one of your sportsmen. He should never have received that abuse. He's a young kid. Disgraceful."
Jorge Rubio returned to Miami.
"I cried for weeks', he told me last week. "Seriously. I kept blaming myself, even though I knew I did everything to help Amir. We didn't have enough time. I have had years with my Florida prospects here. Years. I wish I had been given more time.
"I was so down that I wouldn't see anyone for two months. My friends were trying to get me out of it, but I was ashamed. Humiliated. The Khans moved on. I hid away.
Jorge then told me that however upset he'd been, he really rated Freddie Roach as a trainer and was very pleased that Amir had come to prepare in the States.
"I wish he'd have been in Miami,' Jorge told me. "But I'm pleased he's moved over, and I am so proud of the way that Amir has recovered from the loss. So proud.
"He has a tough fight with Paulie Malignaggi, but I wish him well. Love the kid, love the family."
While I was with Jorge, I texted Amir - who wrote straight back to say: "Send my best to Jorge. Love him. Really do."
Flourishing
In boxing one often has to make life-changing decisions - and it's tough. I personally think Roach is one of THE great trainers of all time. I also think his style, and his gym are good for Amir. That is not doubting Jorge Rubio as a coach. Haye rates him highly. So does Antwone Smith, several other professional prospects, and plenty of Cuban amateurs who have been under his tutelage. In our sport, it's just one of those situations. They needed someone to blame for the Prescott loss, and Jorge Rubio, unfortunately was that man. I was surprised to see Jorge - but really pleased to find him flourishing in his adopted home of Miami after 32 years in the sport. Jorge Rubio was a phenomenal coach for the amateurs in his native Cuba, working with Olympic and world champions. The Khans gave Rubio his big opportunity and whatever the real reason was, he didn't take it. Yet, he's a smashing, friendly and sociable guy, a clever trainer, and a huge credit to the sport. The fact that Amir sent his best to Jorge when I was with him tells its own tale. This is what boxing's really all about. Rubio helped guide Haye when things were bad after his defeat to Carl Thompson, and is ecstatic about the Hayemaker's heavyweight achievements. Good to hear. Jorge said that David was welcome back any time - and Hall of Fame trainer Manny Steward also told me in Florida that he would LOVE to train David. Strange with his charge being Wladimir Klitschko... but true! I just felt happy meeting up with Rubio after almost two years, and so pleased to see that his infectious smile and quality coaching were being put to excellent use in his Miami gym. Antwone Smith proceeded to go out and give a decent performance, as he stopped Franklin Gonzalez in style with a phenomenal left hook to the ribs.
Then the over-keen, and emotionally hyped up Andre Berto eventually squashed Carlos Quintana to remain the WBC Welterweight Champion.
Glenn McCrory and I were chatting on the way home and suggested that the unbeaten Sheffield stalwart Kell Brook might not be too far away from a world challenge - and that Berto could be a good fighter to aim for. Not quite yet maybe, but six to eight months down the road, I think Berto-Brook may be spectacular...
