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In a scrap I’m personally looking forward to, Bolton’s Amir Khan defends his Commonwealth Lightweight belt against tough Mancunian Michael Gomez this Saturday night in Birmingham, England.
For Khan, this could be one of his last tests before hopefully being pitched in for a world title opportunity. For Gomez, this could be his last chance at the big time.
Champion Khan is unbeaten in 17 bouts with 13 knockouts. Now looking comfortable as he matures into the lightweight limit, Khan for me produced his most mature complete display last time out, stopping Dane Martin Kristjansen in seven rounds in April.
Gomez, although only 30, is the veteran in this bout. A professional now for 13 years, Gomez has spent the majority of his career at the super featherweight limit.
A former British and WBU champion, the Manchester slugger has some decent names on his record. Respected fighters such as Dean Pithie and Laszlo Bognar have been dispatched, although for me, the highlight performance of his career was his regaining of the British title against Alex Arthur in 2003.
Going into the fight a heavy underdog, Gomez shocked Arthur and the Scotsman’s home crowd, bludgeoning his way to a fifth round win.
Had this fight happened against Khan with a 2001 version of Gomez in the opposite corner, I would have strongly fancied an upset win. However there’s three major factors why I think Khan will be successful come Saturday night.
Firstly, Khan is the natural lightweight, secondly, Gomez has many miles on the clock and finally, Gomez’s come forward style could be made to measure for Khan’s sharp punches.
Although I’m willing Gomez to pull off the upset for all the gritty honest pros out there, my head must go with the formbook and I’m predicting a Khan win by mid to late stoppage after a spirited Gomez effort.
