Boxing: Row with Sky costs Khan 'big lump sum'

Amir Khan has lost "a big lump sum" by apparently refusing to lower himself to fighting on Sky Sports 3 this Saturday. The WBA light-welterweight champion's defence against Paul McCloskey in Manchester was downgraded from Sky Box Office to the broadcaster's regular subscription channels before Khan yesterday confirmed he would instead appear on the minor pay-per-view station Primetime TV. It is believed Sky took the card off box office as a quality control decision, not as a result of sales figures, after a strong undercard was weakened by withdrawals.

Khan's camp were unhappy to be placed on Sky Sports 3 and not 1 or 2, despite the broadcaster apparently explaining that the finer points of such scheduling were out of their hands owing to the rights deals involving the likes of Saturday's Real Madrid v Barcelona football match.

It is believed Khan's long-term relationship with Sky is not necessarily damaged and his projected unification bout with the American Timothy Bradley later this year could be shown by the broadcaster.

Khan said: "You know, it's a big lump sum that's been cut but what can you do? That's boxing for you."