Unhappy With April Performance, Amir Khan Calls on Alex Ariza

After finding himself displeased with his performance in an unimpressive April win over Paul McCloskey, Amir Khan is having second thoughts over his December firing of strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza. The two parted ways after Khan's win against Marcos Maidana that month, but now Khan has requested a meeting with Ariza and trainer Freddie Roach, according to The Telepgrah's Gareth A Davies.

"We are having a meeting [Friday] with Amir, myself and Alex. The Khans requested it," explained Roach, who will act as peacemaker.

"Amir did not look himself against Paul McCloskey [last month in Manchester]. It was his first time since Amir came to me that he had not worked with Alex. I wasn’t really that satisfied with the McCloskey fight."

Ariza, of course, is most famous as the conditioning guru behind Manny Pacquiao's incredible rise through boxing's weight classes, and is seen by most as the second most important member of Pacquiao's team, behind only Roach. Khan, who frequently trains alongside Pacquiao, has apparently now seen the difference that Ariza's input and coaching can make, and is ready to make peace with Ariza and get back to business.

Khan (25-1, 17 KO) is scheduled to return to the ring on July 23, with no opponent yet named, but plenty in the running. The names mentioned have included Robert Guerrero, Zab Judah, Erik Morales and a rematch with Maidana.