Lightweight RBR Double-Header - Thaxton / Khan

[GAME]

I saw the title and I actually thought that Thaxton v Kahn had been made.
How and ever, I feel this weekend should show u success for the two Brits. Kahn was actuallyin negotiations with Romanov elate last year and also before the St. Clair fight.
Thaxton and Kahn swimming in the same circles.

Looks like Kahn has Ricky Hatton syndrome in that he says he wont fight Thaxton cuz he doesnt want to give him a payday . Is this where the sport is heading ? Fighters that dislike each other wont fight cuz they think they are in a better financial and marketing position . Hatton and Kahn are two of our most high profile fighters yet neither seem to have a true fighters mentality it seems .

[donnydarkoIRL]

I saw the title and I actually thought that Thaxton v Kahn had been made.
How and ever, I feel this weekend should show u success for the two Brits. Kahn was actuallyin negotiations with Romanov elate last year and also before the St. Clair fight.
Thaxton and Kahn swimming in the same circles.

Looks like Kahn has Ricky Hatton syndrome in that he says he wont fight Thaxton cuz he doesnt want to give him a payday . Is this where the sport is heading ? Fighters that dislike each other wont fight cuz they think they are in a better financial and marketing position . Hatton and Kahn are two of our most high profile fighters yet neither seem to have a true fighters mentality it seems .

Well, if thats what they choose can we fault them.

As Kahn continues to progress through the ranks he becomes more convincing. He seems to be growing as a fighter with each fight,
At this rate I believe that Tahxton's legacy will be dwarfed by that of Kahn's in Ten Years time.
If Kahn can forge a legacy and become good or even great without Thaxton is that an issue?
1) Why are we so keen to fight our domestic prospects off against each other? Isn't this limiting the amount of fighters that represent us on the world stage?
2)Doesn't it stand testament to Kahn that already in his career he is compared and rivalled with Thaxton who is pretty seasoned?

As for Ricky, well I don't think anybody can legitimately question his fighters heart and mentality. In eleven rounds at the Manchester MEN arena he proved that he not only has the heart, but also the mentality to compete and beat the best in the world.
In refusing to fight Witter, how is he damaging Witter? There are plenty of opponents out there who Witter can use to solidify his status.
Yet if they face each other, instead of having 2 world champs Britain will have only 1.

[GAME]

I saw the title and I actually thought that Thaxton v Kahn had been made.
How and ever, I feel this weekend should show u success for the two Brits. Kahn was actuallyin negotiations with Romanov elate last year and also before the St. Clair fight.
Thaxton and Kahn swimming in the same circles.

Looks like Kahn has Ricky Hatton syndrome in that he says he wont fight Thaxton cuz he doesnt want to give him a payday . Is this where the sport is heading ? Fighters that dislike each other wont fight cuz they think they are in a better financial and marketing position . Hatton and Kahn are two of our most high profile fighters yet neither seem to have a true fighters mentality it seems .

Well, if thats what they choose can we fault them.

As Kahn continues to progress through the ranks he becomes more convincing. He seems to be growing as a fighter with each fight,
At this rate I believe that Tahxton's legacy will be dwarfed by that of Kahn's in Ten Years time.
If Kahn can forge a legacy and become good or even great without Thaxton is that an issue?
1) Why are we so keen to fight our domestic prospects off against each other? Isn't this limiting the amount of fighters that represent us on the world stage?
2)Doesn't it stand testament to Kahn that already in his career he is compared and rivalled with Thaxton who is pretty seasoned?

As for Ricky, well I don't think anybody can legitimately question his fighters heart and mentality. In eleven rounds at the Manchester MEN arena he proved that he not only has the heart, but also the mentality to compete and beat the best in the world.
In refusing to fight Witter, how is he damaging Witter? There are plenty of opponents out there who Witter can use to solidify his status.
Yet if they face each other, instead of having 2 world champs Britain will have only 1.

Good points but the way I see it is that if a fight should be made then it should be made.

Its right tha Kahn and Thaxton meet at this point . If it cant be made or Kahn doesnt think it is teh right route for him the fair enough but thats not what he is saying . He recognises that its the locigal next step for him but he says he doesnt want to give Thaxton a payday . That to me is spite that cannot be settled in the ring and shows a certain degree of arrogance . I dont respect Kahn for that

The Hatton situation is similar in that Hatton and Witter are both Brits, both rivals , ones coming off a K.O loss the other is offering a chance at his WBC title . You would have thought this fight would be a natural but Hattons taking advantage of his position by not giving the public what they want . You cant show me 1 person who would rather see Lazacano fight Hatton than Junior . Why did Ricky prefer to fight Pederson when Pinto pulled out instead of Jnr . IMO its killing boxing that fighters would rather have facile fights than make the real fights that people want to see happen .

I respect Hatton but I dont think he has teh fight fans best interests at heart and its his fans that have supported him throughout his career cuz would Floyd have given him that opportunity if he didnt have his fanbase ? I doubt it . Boxing is a business also so I can understand that he wants to do whats best for him first and foremost but in that case how can he justify fighting guys like Lazacano when better fighters are offering him a shot at the title .

Just an opinion .

[donnydarkoIRL]

Good points but the way I see it is that if a fight should be made then it should be made.

Its right tha Kahn and Thaxton meet at this point . If it cant be made or Kahn doesnt think it is teh right route for him the fair enough but thats not what he is saying . He recognises that its the locigal next step for him but he says he doesnt want to give Thaxton a payday . That to me is spite that cannot be settled in the ring and shows a certain degree of arrogance . I dont respect Kahn for that .

The reality is; Tahxton is the biggest threat to Kahn in Britain.
I don't believe that any fighter would realistically say "I won't fight him because he's an unnecessary threat at this stage." Particulary Kahn who is bordering on arrogant at the moment.
It is a possibility that Kahn feels Tahxton will take some preparing for and is holding out until they feel he is fully ready. Yet he will never back down and admit to such. Human nature I guess.

The Hatton situation is similar in that Hatton and Witter are both Brits, both rivals , ones coming off a K.O loss the other is offering a chance at his WBC title . You would have thought this fight would be a natural but Hattons taking advantage of his position by not giving the public what they want . You cant show me 1 person who would rather see Lazacano fight Hatton than Junior . Why did Ricky prefer to fight Pederson when Pinto pulled out instead of Jnr . IMO its killing boxing that fighters would rather have facile fights than make the real fights that people want to see happen . .

It does seem an extremely natural fight to be made. It's enhanced by Witter now gaining recognition and grabbing himself a strap. But time will improve this situation even further if Witter is patient and allows Hatton time to gain a strap too. In doing so, the money generated for bothe fighters will be considerably more than generated previously. America has little interest in two English guys going at it. But when it's two world cahmps they're forced to wtch aren't they?

I respect Hatton but I dont think he has teh fight fans best interests at heart and its his fans that have supported him throughout his career cuz would Floyd have given him that opportunity if he didnt have his fanbase ? I doubt it . Boxing is a business also so I can understand that he wants to do whats best for him first and foremost but in that case how can he justify fighting guys like Lazacano when better fighters are offering him a shot at the title .
Just an opinion .

The Lazcano fight is essentially a confidence booster.
After the Floyd fight Ricky was shattered, he thoroughly believed he could beat Floyd and when he lost it nearly broke him.
Were Hatton to jump in and fight Witter he would have been in danger of an unwarranted loss as his confidence would have been at canvas level.
#After Lazcano (assuming Ricky DOMINATES him) the Hitman should be back on form and ready to forge onward (I suspect against Malignaggi.)
That should set the division up nicely for a massive unification.

Great debate./

[GAME]

The reality is; Tahxton is the biggest threat to Kahn in Britain.
I don't believe that any fighter would realistically say "I won't fight him because he's an unnecessary threat at this stage." Particulary Kahn who is bordering on arrogant at the moment.
It is a possibility that Kahn feels Tahxton will take some preparing for and is holding out until they feel he is fully ready. Yet he will never back down and admit to such. Human nature I guess.

If thats the case I would personally prefer him to come oy and say that instead of disguising it with trash talk . But he is an arrogant bloke and I suppose he is more comfortable dealing with it his own way

.
It does seem an extremely natural fight to be made. It's enhanced by Witter now gaining recognition and grabbing himself a strap. But time will improve this situation even further if Witter is patient and allows Hatton time to gain a strap too. In doing so, the money generated for bothe fighters will be considerably more than generated previously. America has little interest in two English guys going at it. But when it's two world cahmps they're forced to wtch aren't they?

You probably know more about it than me but is my understanding that Hatton intends never to fight Witter. If he is avoiding him purley to build up the fight so it gets even bigger then its a totally acceptable but I dont think it is . Ive met Ricky and thought he was a top bloke so its with a certain degree of guilty that I say this but as I fight fan I wana see the best fights happen and as this one isnt happening I have to point the finger at the guy who doesnt want to make it happen for whatever reason . Imagine if Eubank never fought Benn and said its cuz I didnt like him . People would have viewed him as a coward . The only way Hatton could justify his current position in not fighting Witter would be by fighting better opposition, not guys like Lazcano

The Lazcano fight is essentially a confidence booster.
After the Floyd fight Ricky was shattered, he thoroughly believed he could beat Floyd and when he lost it nearly broke him.
Were Hatton to jump in and fight Witter he would have been in danger of an unwarranted loss as his confidence would have been at canvas level.
#After Lazcano (assuming Ricky DOMINATES him) the Hitman should be back on form and ready to forge onward (I suspect against Malignaggi.)
That should set the division up nicely for a massive unification.

Great debate

The home coming would have a greater atmos if it was Witter for the WBC title IMO . He doesnt have to worry about Americans etc as Im sure they would prefer it was Witter instead of Lazacao . They may even view it as a bigger money spinner than Hatton - Malignaggi . It would be a tremendous shame if these two never met and Hatton retired b4 it could be made . Im not even convinced Witter would win I just want to see him get his chance cuz he deserves it . Nobody would argue if Hatton never fought Rees cuz that guy didnt deserve it . Witter does and may be a favourite cuz he wants the fight.

[ICB]

I remember a member here called Mikkel_K, telling me that he has seen Khan's opponent fight a few times and he is quite good, i haven't seen him myself so i can't comment. But it could be interesting.

[Mikkel_K]

I remember a member here called Mikkel_K, telling me that he has seen Khan's opponent fight a few times and he is quite good, i haven't seen him myself so i can't comment. But it could be interesting.

That would be me.

Hmm, 'quite good' may be exactly the right wording. I'd say European level-good at least (as in top 10 European lightweight).

However, I think that in order to beat Khan, you'd have to be either a world class boxer or a great banger with a great chin. Kristjansen is neither. He is a good solid boxer, not quite good enough imo to trouble Khan, and without the power to hurt him either. While I'm quite certain of the outcome - Khan KO/TKO - I'm a bit torn about when and how though. Kristjansen needs to move well, lots of lateral movement, not let Khan finds his range or fire his shots, and quite frankly box the fight of his life. I have seen him do that quite well in the latest Zoff [1] fight, where he won the first 4-5 rounds and looked real good. Question is - is his best, good enough? Otherwise Khan might take him out early - Kristjansen has plenty of heart, but his chin is not world class. And as he gassed against Zoff, expect him to gas against Khan. So even if Kristjansen makes the early rounds interesting - and I hope he will, we could be in for a good fight! - I'd say Khan takes him out in the middle to late rounds.

Anyway, the question was: How good is Martin? To give an idea: From what I've seen of them, he should beat Willie Limond, and I'd actually give him a good shot against Thaxton as well. Were they fighting in Denmark, I'd probably even make Martin the favorite. Thaxton, however, has a much better chance of beating Khan than Martin does. Styles make fights etc.

But, hey, El Gamo tells ud this is The Year of Upsets! So: Go Martin!

[1] Just a short note about Zoff. While probably not being as well known on here, he is/was a good fighter, make no mistake about it. The Zoff of 2004 was surely better than any fighter Khan has met so far. The Zoff of 2006 was older, not quite the same level, but it should be noted that he has since gone the distance in a close fight with Romanov.

[donnydarkoIRL]

[quote=GAME;491929]
If thats the case I would personally prefer him to come oy and say that instead of disguising it with trash talk . But he is an arrogant bloke and I suppose he is more comfortable dealing with it his own way
[quote]
Yeah, thats understandable, but as I said there aren't many who would come right out and say it. Kahn's young, undefeated and a massive prospect, he's too proud to acknowledge the threat of a guy who's been beaten 4 times and not thratened world level opposition.

The home coming would have a greater atmos if it was Witter for the WBC title IMO . He doesnt have to worry about Americans etc as Im sure they would prefer it was Witter instead of Lazacao . They may even view it as a bigger money spinner than Hatton - Malignaggi . It would be a tremendous shame if these two never met and Hatton retired b4 it could be made . Im not even convinced Witter would win I just want to see him get his chance cuz he deserves it . Nobody would argue if Hatton never fought Rees cuz that guy didnt deserve it . Witter does and may be a favourite cuz he wants the fight.

I'm near certain that it will happen. It's just a matter of time I think.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I remember a member here called Mikkel_K, telling me that he has seen Khan's opponent fight a few times and he is quite good, i haven't seen him myself so i can't comment. But it could be interesting.

Kristjansen was a great amateur and a nice clean pro so far.
He lacks po, but he's skilled and like I said a clean boxer.