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Amir Khan hopes to put the smile back on boxing’s face after a sad week when he challenges Ukrainian Andriy Kotelnik for his WBA Light Welterweight championship belt tonight at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England.
For Kotelnik, this is the third defence of the title he won from Welshman Gavin Rees in March of last year. After a disputed draw against Souleymane M’baye in 2007, he has become champion at the second time of asking.
The champion is well known to British fans not only for the fights just mentioned, but also losing a closely contested European title contest against Junior Witter on points back in 2005.
For Khan, this is not only a step up in weight but also a step up in class. After a career best performance against Marco Antonio Barrera in March, Khan attempts to win the first of what he hopes will be many world championship belts.
Last time out, many boxing fans feared for Khan, feeling he had stepped up in class too soon after the one round disaster against Breidis Prescott. These demons were exorcised in a masterful five round display before winning on cuts.
This is a bold move for Khan, moving up in weight. Kotelnik, although not known to the casual fan, is a seasoned and durable campaigner. Just look at the way he dismantled Rees in his title winning effort for proof.
After Ricky Hatton’s announcement this week of his intention to fight on, Khan winning the world title could just be the carrot to entice Hatton into an all British showdown, but that obviously is just mere speculation at this current point in turn.
Khan has the boxing skills, but Kotelnik although not a noted big puncher, is durable and accurate with his efforts; surely the plan for Khan is to box tonight.
Barrera aside, Kotelnik is the most experienced pro Khan has faced in his four year career and Khan must recognise this. He must start quickly and try and win the early rounds as the champion is a slow starter.
Many doubts have been raised over Khan’s chin, but I feel if he boxes carefully and racks up an early lead, he can fend off Kotelnik’s late round comeback and a few rocky moments to win on a close points decision.
