British RBR - Amir Khan v Graham Earl - Saturday - Duddy v Eastman

OK folks, this is the appetiser before the massive Hatton Mayweather fight next Saturday, and it carries a lot of interest for any boxing fan who can't have escaped the massive hype which has surrounded Amir Khan ever since he claimed his Olympic Silver Medal back in 2004.

Here's the tale of the tape as I see it:

Amir Khan (14-0, 11KOs) is undoubtedly one of the best British boxing prospects of recent years, whether you buy into the hype or not. The 20-year old from Bolton has been surrounded in a media scrum ever since he claimed the olympic medal at the tender age of 17. Despite his undefeated record and big talk, critics would point to some cracks which have appeared in the past year or so, both inside and outside of the ring. Convictions for speeding and a trial for dangerous driving must have been distracting, and a knockdown which nearly finished him against Willie Limond opened him up to those who have doubted Khan's chin. However, his supporters would say that he showed he could come back from the brink, and that his charity work in the Bolton area have shown that he's developing into a man. However, Saturday's bout will be 364 days after the last time Khan went the full distance, standing 5 inches taller than his opponent he will hope his height and developing power will help him to do to Earl what Katsidis did before.

Graham Earl (25-2, 12 KOs) is the more travelled veteran in this fight, nine years older and 13 fights wiser than Khan, and will be hoping to bring all he knows to bear, and to beat the popular man from Bolton. Earl himself is a firm fan favourite, and will no doubt be bringing a cadre of his own supporters up to Bolton from his hometown of Luton. Earl's last appearance will be very difficult to match, with his meeting with Katsidis touted among the British fights of the year, with Earl down three times and Katsidis counted once. The all action punching of both fighters made a mini-classic over 5 rounds, and a fight 50% of that intensity will make for exceptional viewing. Katsidis is certainly stronger and more aggressive than Khan will be, and Earl will also have to contend with the height and reach advantage that Khan brings to the table.

My personal prediction....it's hard to say, but I'll go for Khan on points, although he might get clipped and find himself in trouble once or twice as Earl finds the key to his guard. Either way, I'm certain this one will be a cracker.

Elsewhere on the bill we have Dean Francis defending his Commonwealth Light Haevyweight title, Michael Jennings defending his WBU welterweight belt (although there are rumours Jennings is injured), and prospects Jamie Cox and Tony Bellew will be in action, as well as Kell Brook, and Paul Smith returning to action after his appearance in the "Contender" series, still undefeated but nor is he contender champion either.

The action will begin at 7.40pm (2.40pm EST) on ITV4 in the UK, and switch to ITV1 for the Khan fight at 9.55pm (4.55pm EST).

So let's see who y'all think will win, and whether Khan's progression will continue or whether he'll get blasted by Earl's power and experience.

:coolclick: Rhun good analysis.

I really like Amir I think he's the most exciting fighter to watch in Britain right now, he's quick, loves to come forward, can devastate opponents with fast combo's and seems to really relish a good a tear up. His chin seems vulnurable but imo that only adds to the drama of watching him fight.

I honestly think if he was not well known, and didn't have the hype around him that he does, people on here would laud him and say what a great prospect he is and how he's the best talent in Britain.

But as the old saying goes 'familiarity breeds contempt' and people love to bash him instead.

This should be a cracking fight and if Amir does get the win he deserves the respect of people on here as he will have beaten a legitimate opponent, and arguably the best lightweight in the country.

I'm going for a late round Khan KO, say rounds 9 or 10. I think he'll be too quick and will hurt Earl with some stinging combo's.

I'd also put money on it being a more entertaining fight than Hatton Mayweather as well.

December 8th is like an early Christmas present for the boxing fan :D.....

CC Rhun can't wait, Earl by KO.

In the poll i voted Kahn on points, not because theats exactly what i see happening, but becasue that it how i would like Kahn to approach this fight.

We have seen in the past that Graham can mix it up and is indeed a durable enough bloke. Kahn has shown in the past he has a lust for Knockout victories yet when he chases them he gets caught. (He the reverts to picking opponents apart to his credit)

So I feel, whatever outcome Kahn is in search of, he must start at a calculated pace, realise that his opponent is potentially stronger and stay sfe. He must aim to win rounds with his punches, not throw punches to win the fight. (A performNCE LIKE THAT AGAINST sTEFFY bULL WOULD BE ADMIRABLE)

i BELIEVE THAT HE NEEDS TO MAINTAIN THIS CALCULATED PACE IN ORDER TO WIN THE FIGHT. iT MAY COME AS A KO AS A RESULT OF PATIERNCE AND BOXING BRILLIANCE BUT kAHN HAD BETTER NOT COUNT ON IT COMING TOO EARLY.

i think kadsidis may of done to earl what hagler did to mugabi and chavez to taylor in that earl will never be the same fighter, alike what trinidad did to vargas, his punch resistance was never the same after. I still think however that earls comtempt of kahns cockyness will make this a good fight and kahn could get floored, im still going for a kahn ko latw however

prediction: Kahn KO - 8

Looking forward to this one although I've only seen 1 Earl fight,the Katsidis one. Is he a natural counter puncher? If so,we could see Khan go down but I don't see him losing. I actually agree with you Bilbo,I've been critical of Khan before but he's not a bad fighter at all.I just think he leaves his chin out to dry at times and would love to see him v a puncher.

CC Rhun, i think it willl be a close fight and Khan has a lot to prove with this one. Im glad he is fighting a tough fighter and it will make it better for him when he beats him because I believe Khan has the potential to do this. Im picking a Khan 12 UD but I feel this will be Khans hardest fight up to now and will have to be on form to do this. He will win this fight im pretty sure on this...


BTW Rhun, Jennings is actually injured i spoke to him the other day!

Ive gone for Earl to destroy the Kahn dream im a Kahn fan and i think he will win but i keep thinking about the Limond knockdown and Earl hits alot harder than Limond i keep picturing Kahn on the floor like Audley vs Sprott OUCH!!! hope im wrong because i really like Kahn.

I hope Earl knocks Khan's block off i never have liked Khan.

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Originally Posted by MAYWEATHER P4P#1

Ive gone for Earl to destroy the Kahn dream im a Kahn fan and i think he will win but i keep thinking about the Limond knockdown and Earl hits alot harder than Limond i keep picturing Kahn on the floor like Audley vs Sprott OUCH!!! hope im wrong because i really like Kahn.

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Hes a lot bigger than Earl and i think the punch rate will be a bit too much for him. Im thinking a stoppage might be on the cards to be honest, will be close but I know Khan wont lose this one.

BTW change your name, its not going to happen at all, Hattons going to win!

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Originally Posted by Tam Seddon

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Originally Posted by MAYWEATHER P4P#1

Ive gone for Earl to destroy the Kahn dream im a Kahn fan and i think he will win but i keep thinking about the Limond knockdown and Earl hits alot harder than Limond i keep picturing Kahn on the floor like Audley vs Sprott OUCH!!! hope im wrong because i really like Kahn.

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Hes a lot bigger than Earl and i think the punch rate will be a bit too much for him. Im thinking a stoppage might be on the cards to be honest, will be close but I know Khan wont lose this one.

BTW change your name, its not going to happen at all, Hattons going to win!

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BTW change your name, its not going to happen at all, Hattons going to win!

Nope he isn't.

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Originally Posted by Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker

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Originally Posted by Tam Seddon

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Originally Posted by MAYWEATHER P4P#1

Ive gone for Earl to destroy the Kahn dream im a Kahn fan and i think he will win but i keep thinking about the Limond knockdown and Earl hits alot harder than Limond i keep picturing Kahn on the floor like Audley vs Sprott OUCH!!! hope im wrong because i really like Kahn.

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Hes a lot bigger than Earl and i think the punch rate will be a bit too much for him. Im thinking a stoppage might be on the cards to be honest, will be close but I know Khan wont lose this one.

BTW change your name, its not going to happen at all, Hattons going to win!

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BTW change your name, its not going to happen at all, Hattons going to win!

Nope he isn't.

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He will, you will see!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tam Seddon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker

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Originally Posted by Tam Seddon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MAYWEATHER P4P#1

Ive gone for Earl to destroy the Kahn dream im a Kahn fan and i think he will win but i keep thinking about the Limond knockdown and Earl hits alot harder than Limond i keep picturing Kahn on the floor like Audley vs Sprott OUCH!!! hope im wrong because i really like Kahn.

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Hes a lot bigger than Earl and i think the punch rate will be a bit too much for him. Im thinking a stoppage might be on the cards to be honest, will be close but I know Khan wont lose this one.

BTW change your name, its not going to happen at all, Hattons going to win!

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BTW change your name, its not going to happen at all, Hattons going to win!

Nope he isn't.

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He will, you will see!

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Only way Hatton has a chance of winning is if Hatton teams up with Graham in a 2 on 1 handicap match against Mayweather and even then i would still have Mayweather as the favorite.

ICE both you and i know that Hatton is'nt going to win ;) ;D