Tommy Stubbs was England’s representative in the 52kg flyweight category in Delhi but he was beaten in his first fight by Welshman Andrew Selby, who Khan edged on a countback in the quarter-finals on Saturday to earn at least a bronze medal.
“Yes, definitely,” the excitable Khan told a swarm of mainly English media when asked if the country’s selectors should be embarrassed by their decision to overlook him.
“Whoever the selectors are, my job was to come here and prove them wrong which I have done. My aim was to get a medal, the 52 kilo English lad didn’t get it, I have got it,” said Khan, who spoke as quickly as he moved in the ring.
The rejection obviously still grates the 19-year-old, born to Pakistani parents, who was desperately keen to fight the English boxer Stubbs.
“I had high hopes of facing him in this round because I had a perfect plan for him and I was confident I could have stopped him,” said Khan, who leapt around the ring in celebration after having his hand raised by the referee.
Not a great job
Dripping with sweat after the cagey bout where he countered his Welsh opponent’s jab with some useful footwork, Khan smiled as he told reporters of his delight at advancing further than Stubbs.
“I think whoever is being a (English) selector is not doing a great job,” he said.
“I have seen so much talent out there and they are just not getting selected.
“I just wanted to get a medal to just prove, look I am good enough to be in that English squad … and I think I have done that.”
There was little love lost between the two fighters in the quarter-finals, with Khan unhappy at Selby’s trash talking ahead of the three-round contest which finished 3-3.
