Right, this guy gets a lot of flak on this site. I think it's unjust. I'm going to lay down a few facts about the kid and argue that he is not only a "china chinned bum". I have seen every Khan fight and watched his whole career so don't blame me for defending the guy.
First off, he won a silver medal at the olympics when he was 17. I don't know about you, but that shows a lot of talent right there. Not only did he win the silver, but he looked good doing it. He had style, charisma, speed, and movement all in abundance. He seems destined to be a pro.
A year after his olympic success he turned pro. The pro game is a hard business, but he to adapted to it well scoring knockout after knockout. Yes his opposition was weak for his first 15 fights or so, but name me a fighter who fights highly skilled fighters when in development. There is not many I tell you. In these fights he showed the type of skill that you need to be a major player in the sport. Fast hands, good movement, good power, and great accuracy. The only question mark was over his defence and chin.
The question marks over his defence and chin were soon answered. After being knocked down against a few weak fisted fighters it was obvious Khan had a severe lack of punch resistance. Drilzane, Limond, and Gomez all tested his chin. However, Khan has recovered well after all these knockdowns and won each by Knockout. The question over his chin still remained.
Good wins over Earl, St-Claire, Kristjansen, and Gomez, spelled a need for a step up in competition. This came in the form of the huge punching Columbian, Breidis Prescott. It was thought that this was the fight where he would answer the questions about his chin once and for all. As everybody knows Khan's chin didn't hold up, and he lost within a minute. His defence was invisible, and his chin was shattered. He showed great heart by getting up after the first knockdown, but also inexperience as he walked straight back into a devastating left hook. He tried but just couldn't get back up. His career seemed to be in ruins.
After suffering his first defeat, Khan decided to hook up with one of the worlds finest trainers in Freddie Roach. It was thought that the Wild Card Gym could provide Khan the environment to really improve his defensive skills and overall fight game. Sparring with the likes of Manny Pacquiao would serve to open his eyes to the realitys of boxing. You can have a bad chin or a bad defence, but you can't have both. As the chin was already a huge weakness, the defence had to improve.
His comeback fight against the moderate punching Oisin ***an, was a chance to showcase his defensive improvements to the world. He moved in and out with his hands firmly held up, he showed a lot more patience, and looked very composed. No doubt the result of a strict Roach training camp.
His next fight will be against the aged, but still game Mexican Barrera. At 35, he is not the fighter he once was, but just over a year after taking Manny Pacquiao 12 rounds, proves he is not a shot fighter. This is a risky fight for Khan. Barrera still has the power to trouble him, but if his defence continues to improve, Khan should be able to avoid Barrera's attacks and use his movement to box from the outside. If Khan can pick his shots, keeps his hand up, and remain patient, he could stop Barrera before 10. However, if the occasion gets to him, and he allows himself to get wild, Barrera could score an easy knockout. Khan should win, but Barrera has the will and experience to cause an upset.
The point I'm trying to make is, Khan is far from a finished product, but he is not a bum as some people on this board would have you believe. Age is on his side, and if he can carry on improving his defensive skills, he could be a World Champion before the year is out. You may think he is ****y and arrogant, but I think he is young and confident. He always wants to entertain, and has never been in a boring fight. If you want drama, this is where to find it. Give the guy a chance and stop being so harsh on the lad.
Sorry for the huge post. You don't have to read it all.
First off, he won a silver medal at the olympics when he was 17. I don't know about you, but that shows a lot of talent right there. Not only did he win the silver, but he looked good doing it. He had style, charisma, speed, and movement all in abundance. He seems destined to be a pro.
A year after his olympic success he turned pro. The pro game is a hard business, but he to adapted to it well scoring knockout after knockout. Yes his opposition was weak for his first 15 fights or so, but name me a fighter who fights highly skilled fighters when in development. There is not many I tell you. In these fights he showed the type of skill that you need to be a major player in the sport. Fast hands, good movement, good power, and great accuracy. The only question mark was over his defence and chin.
The question marks over his defence and chin were soon answered. After being knocked down against a few weak fisted fighters it was obvious Khan had a severe lack of punch resistance. Drilzane, Limond, and Gomez all tested his chin. However, Khan has recovered well after all these knockdowns and won each by Knockout. The question over his chin still remained.
Good wins over Earl, St-Claire, Kristjansen, and Gomez, spelled a need for a step up in competition. This came in the form of the huge punching Columbian, Breidis Prescott. It was thought that this was the fight where he would answer the questions about his chin once and for all. As everybody knows Khan's chin didn't hold up, and he lost within a minute. His defence was invisible, and his chin was shattered. He showed great heart by getting up after the first knockdown, but also inexperience as he walked straight back into a devastating left hook. He tried but just couldn't get back up. His career seemed to be in ruins.
After suffering his first defeat, Khan decided to hook up with one of the worlds finest trainers in Freddie Roach. It was thought that the Wild Card Gym could provide Khan the environment to really improve his defensive skills and overall fight game. Sparring with the likes of Manny Pacquiao would serve to open his eyes to the realitys of boxing. You can have a bad chin or a bad defence, but you can't have both. As the chin was already a huge weakness, the defence had to improve.
His comeback fight against the moderate punching Oisin ***an, was a chance to showcase his defensive improvements to the world. He moved in and out with his hands firmly held up, he showed a lot more patience, and looked very composed. No doubt the result of a strict Roach training camp.
His next fight will be against the aged, but still game Mexican Barrera. At 35, he is not the fighter he once was, but just over a year after taking Manny Pacquiao 12 rounds, proves he is not a shot fighter. This is a risky fight for Khan. Barrera still has the power to trouble him, but if his defence continues to improve, Khan should be able to avoid Barrera's attacks and use his movement to box from the outside. If Khan can pick his shots, keeps his hand up, and remain patient, he could stop Barrera before 10. However, if the occasion gets to him, and he allows himself to get wild, Barrera could score an easy knockout. Khan should win, but Barrera has the will and experience to cause an upset.
The point I'm trying to make is, Khan is far from a finished product, but he is not a bum as some people on this board would have you believe. Age is on his side, and if he can carry on improving his defensive skills, he could be a World Champion before the year is out. You may think he is ****y and arrogant, but I think he is young and confident. He always wants to entertain, and has never been in a boring fight. If you want drama, this is where to find it. Give the guy a chance and stop being so harsh on the lad.
Sorry for the huge post. You don't have to read it all.
Comment