It was billed as a boxer-trainer partnership made in heaven, but the pairing of Amir Khan and Jorge Rubio lasted only 54 seconds of competitive action. Rubio, the Cuban trainer taken on by Khan this summer, has been jettisoned after Khan’s surprise knockout defeat by Breidis Prescott a fortnight ago.

The split was described as amicable, but Rubio’s days seemed numbered from the moment Khan was put on his back in Manchester, despite the 21-year-old former Olympic silver medal-winner giving Rubio his backing. The Colombian had arrived on the recommendation of Rubio, but proved to be an opponent from hell.

Rubio had been Khan’s third trainer this year. Oliver Harrison, who had trained him since turning professional, was sacked in April and Dean Powell stood in for Khan’s bout against Michael Gomez in June. Khan had his heart set on an American trainer and the Miami-based Rubio was picked over well-known names such as Freddie Roach, Roger Mayweather and James “Buddy” McGirt.

But plans of world domination are back on the drawing-board and the search is on for another architect to turn Khan back into a contender.

Danny Williams, the British heavyweight champion, will face Francois Botha, of South Africa, on November 30 in Egypt. The bout will be held in an outdoor arena 150 metres from the foot of the pyramids in Giza.

Carl Froch’s vacant WBC supermiddleweight title bout against Jean Pascal, of Canada, at the Trent FM Arena, Nottingham, on December 6, will be screened on ITV1. ITV4 will screen a minimum of 26 shows over two years.

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