What did you see different with Khan ?

After watching the Salita fight , and listening to Ian Darke and Jim Watt banging on about how Khan is going to conquer America with this kind of performance , I have to say Khan did a good job , but i didn't see anything i didn't already know about Khan.
He has fantastic speed , good power , and improved defence under Freddie Roach , but he fought a guy with a weak chin , he didn't take any punches , so question marks still remain about Khan's chin.
I want to see Khan in a hard fight , so we can truly judge him on his improvements , he did everything asked of him on Saturday night , but I'm not so convinced he can become an elite fighter.
This is not a dig at Khan , I'm just interested in your views guys.
Discuss.

I think there are always going to be questions about Khan's chin until he proves that he is able to take punches from even moderately-heavy punchers. However, he has shown significant grown since joining Roach's stable and as long as his defense continues to improve he'll be able to mask his suspect punch-resistance.

His jab is no longer just a range finder, it's actually a weapon.

He just looks more assured to me, and maybe a little less vulnerable. He seems more disciplined and looks like he's beginning to understand how to execute a gameplan. I'm sure there is plenty of stuff but the fight on Saturday didn't allow him to showcase anything other than speed and power.

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Originally Posted by ono

He just looks more assured to me, and maybe a little less vulnerable. He seems more disciplined and looks like he's beginning to understand how to execute a gameplan. I'm sure there is plenty of stuff but the fight on Saturday didn't allow him to showcase anything other than speed and power.

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I agree, definately more assured. Of course it was over so quickly can't tell for sure, the first 1-2 did the job then went for the finish.

You cant see any improvement in this fight as his opponent was a bum.

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Originally Posted by CutMeMick

His jab is no longer just a range finder, it's actually a weapon.

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That's what Roach said when khan sparred with Pac.

How the hell can anyone tell what improvements they've seen, when he hasn't even been in with an elite fighter who's tested him ? i haven't seen any real improvements except his defense is better.

But then again he did get clocked quite a few times vs Andriy Kotelnik late on, and if he would of been puncher then who knows ?

Amir Khan has always had the talent i don't see any real difference there, except he isn't as wild and his defense is better which is good.

But i think its way too early to say anything, until he fights someone who tests him. Its easy to look improved against a one eyed undersized MAB, crap Otis Fagan, mediocre Andriy Kotelnik, weak chinned Dmitriy Salita.

We will see his dramatic improvements if there is any, against the fighters i've mentioned in the other topics.

But if there is anyone to improve Amir Khan, then its Freddie Roach. Look at Manny Pacquiao he used to be a one dimensional fighter.

Now he has a right hand, much improved boxing skills. Much better use of using angles, and he can box more smartly if he chooses, aswell as much better counter punching.

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Originally Posted by Bomp

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Originally Posted by ono

He just looks more assured to me, and maybe a little less vulnerable. He seems more disciplined and looks like he's beginning to understand how to execute a gameplan. I'm sure there is plenty of stuff but the fight on Saturday didn't allow him to showcase anything other than speed and power.

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I agree, definately more assured. Of course it was over so quickly can't tell for sure, the first 1-2 did the job then went for the finish.

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I agree with you two.

His chin will always be a big worry but I think he's got to the stage where only world-class fighters will exploit it.

Before Barrera he looked as though any half-decent fighter would catch him. Definitely improved. He doesn't look so beatable.

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Originally Posted by ICB

How the hell can anyone tell what improvements they've seen, when he hasn't even been in with an elite fighter who's tested him ? i haven't seen any real improvements except his defense is better.

But then again he did get clocked quite a few times vs Andriy Kotelnik late on, and if he would of been puncher then who knows ?

Amir Khan has always had the talent i don't see any real difference there, except he isn't as wild and his defense is better which is good.

But i think its way too early to say anything, until he fights someone who tests him. Its easy to look improved against a one eyed undersized MAB, crap Otis Fagan, mediocre Andriy Kotelnik, weak chinned Dmitriy Salita.

We will see his dramatic improvements if there is any, against the fighters i've mentioned in the other topics.

But if there is anyone to improve Amir Khan, then its Freddie Roach. Look at Manny Pacquiao he used to be a one dimensional fighter.

Now he has a right hand, much improved boxing skills. Much better use of using angles, and he can box more smartly if he chooses, aswell as much better counter punching.

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Thing is, I had to listen to Ian Darke telling me how good Gavin Rees' chin (on prizefight)is yet weak punching Kotelnik had him on queer street. Don't forget Khan moved up to 140 so although Kotelnik might not be a big puncher at 140, he's accurate and powerful enough to hurt someone who's used to facing under-sized 135lbers. Khan's chin looked ok. Maybe he has a bit of Cotto syndrome. Maybe 135 was a struggle....considering he was down to 1% bodyfat ;D

Not much, after knocking the senses out of his opponent it was nothing more than target practice.

He's definitely a lot better since he went to Roach but you didn't exactly get much chance to judge on Saturday. He's still got the same chin though, if a lightweight can spark him then somebody at 140 is eventually going to do it.

Will someone explain to me whether Khan must (as in it is his mandatory defense) defend the title against Maidana in his next fight? I'm just not ready to give Khan credit until he handles a puncher. I can just see Khan taking on Paulie if Paulie wins this weekend, which would make it three fights in a row against fighters who don't have much punching power. No one is doubting Khan's boxing ability and he has KO power, but he lacks a chin - qualities that are much like Haye really.

I do think his defense has improved over the past 4 fights and he seems to pace himself better and his footwork seems better also.

I already knew Khan had pop though, He has good power when he sits down on his punches.

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Originally Posted by Rantcatrat

Will someone explain to me whether Khan must (as in it is his mandatory defense) defend the title against Maidana in his next fight? I'm just not ready to give Khan credit until he handles a puncher. I can just see Khan taking on Paulie if Paulie wins this weekend, which would make it three fights in a row against fighters who don't have much punching power. No one is doubting Khan's boxing ability and he has KO power, but he lacks a chin - qualities that are much like Haye really.

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Why not? He's still shown excellent boxing skills.

Would you refuse to give Ivan Calderon credit until he knocks someone out for the count, or refuse to give Floyd Maywether credit until he beats someone with as much natural skill as him?

Even if Khan in the future does fall once more to a big puncher it does not discredit his other wins or mean he deserves no credit for his speed, power and skill.

Every fighter has strengths and weakeness and will struggle against certain types of opponents.