Quote Originally Posted by ICB View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Bilbo View Post
Quote Originally Posted by ICB View Post

Kevin Mitchell vs Michael Katsidis will be a classic.

Amir Khan vs Paulie Malignaggi will be Paulie Malignaggi, feeling the size and strength of Amir Khan, then going into a defensive shell ducking below the waist ETC, just like he did with Ricky Hatton.
I think Khan vs Malignaggi will be a great fight. Paulie seems to be fighting much better recently after a disappointing slump in his career. Should be a tough test for Amir, although I expect him to come through it.
I don't think so Bilbo, im not discrediting Amir Khan for taking this fight. The fight makes sense Paulie Malignaggi isn't a big puncher, but he's a good enough fighter with a name in the USA, so its good exposure for Amir Khan.

But i just dislike Paulie Malignaggi, i think he's getting overrated. Because of his performances vs Juan Diaz, he was only able to stand in the pocket against Juan Diaz. Because Juan Diaz isn't a big puncher especially at Jr Welterweight, where Juan Diaz isn't at his best. Plus i think he's seen better days.

Outside of that Paulie Malignaggi just isn't impressive to me, and i just can't get the Ricky Hatton fight out of my mind. Where he totally went into a defensive shell, as soon as he felt the power of Ricky Hatton.

That really was a disappointing performance from Paulie Malignaggi, in the biggest fight of his career IMO.

That's not to say i won't give Amir Khan credit, i will give him credit. Paulie Malignaggi isn't a bad fighter. And its a good step up for Amir Khan.

But i can see Amir Khan being quite dominant here. He's faster, bigger, stronger, fresher, ETC. He seems to have all the advantages IMO, and i really see a good dominant win for Amir Khan, like 117-111 type win.
The fights with Juan Diaz weren't at light welter, they were catchweight fights with Paulie contracted to come in at 138.

Paulie has only lost to elite world champion fighters in Cotto and Hatton which means he's a great opponent for Amir. Amir has only just won a belt and had a single defence, this is still a big step up in skills and class for him even if he's not a puncher.

If Amir dominates as you feel he should then it absolutely will affirm he is ready to break into the world class as only Hatton has ever dominated him before, and he was considered the undisputed light welterweight king for a good few years as well as a p4p star.