AMIR Khan branded Michael Gomez an "idiot" and accused him of running scared after the Manchester fighter failed to show up for a Press conference ahead of Saturday's Commonwealth title fight in Birmingham.

Gomez, who has a history of confrontational behaviour in Press conferences, had claimed he intended to get under the Bolton man's skin.

Khan said: "He's scared. I was looking forward to seeing him and he's not turned up but his stupid games don't bother me.

"You know what an idiot Michael Gomez can be. I'll let my fists do the talking on Sat- urday night."

Promoter Frank Warren, who announced a 10,000 sell-out at the National Indoor Arena for the return of big-time boxing to the city, accused Gomez of showing a lack of respect.

Warren said: "It's very disappointing. We had a message saying he was coming and then he changed his mind.

"It's not about selling tickets. It's about showing respect to the media and your opponent."

Khan insists he is in the shape of his life for his clash with the former British super-featherweight champion, whose patchy form in recent years has not convinced his new team to take the fight lightly.

Khan's new trainer Dean Powell said Gomez's stunning 2003 knockout win over previously unbeaten Alex Arthur proved the Manchester man has what it takes to triumph against the odds.

Powell said: "Gomez is going to bring a special kind of intensity to the fight.

"We all know how Michael Gomez likes to fight and we are fully prepared for what he's going to bring.

"Amir certainly doesn't need to get involved in World War Three with Gomez.

"But Gomez is going to have a big shock if he thinks that he can shove Amir around the way that he shoved Alex Arthur around."

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