Kahn's Next Improvement

[marbleheadmaui]

Amir Khan has greatly improved his footwork, his jab and his understanding of what he is doing in the ring. And he knows it. As I noted during the fight with Judah "Khan is fighting with the arrogance of Tommy Hearns." The more I think about it's not a bad way to think about Khan and what he needs to do from here on in. And no I am NOT placing Khan anywhere near the level of Hearns, he's not in the same universe. But he does share some characteristics with the Hitman. Khan usually has a height and reach advantage, he has a killer's mindset, very good power, and his chin probably isn't as good as his other gifts.

The two major errors Khan made against Judah in an otherwise excellent performance were manifested in the same way. Khan showed a lack of patience and an inability to stay at optimal distance. Too often he'd collapse distance at the end of a combination and that enabled Judah to tie him up and get a respite. Khan's enthusiasm makes him rush unnecessarily and his attacking steps are too long. He needs to take very short steps so that at the end of the combination not only is he still at optimal punching distance, but so that he can take a short step to the side and begin another combination and keep the pressure on.

The video below is early in the Tommy Hearns-Wilfredo Benitez fight. Notice how Hearns refuses to move into El Radar's living room along the ropes. No collapsing, no clinching, just consistent application of pressure. Now Hearns misses a lot of punches here because, well, Benitez was an ATG himself and perhaps the finest along the ropes defender the sport has ever seen.

THIS kind of attack is the next technical step for Khan. Interestingly Hearns had just turned 24 when this fight took place.