Why I am not fully sold on Amir Khan

[Taeth]

I was also not fully sold on Manny Pacquiao either, but his power, chin, and fighter instincts made me a fan a long time ago. But like him, Amir Khan has the same flaws without maybe the same strengths. Sure Khan survived Maidana's punches, but he didn't control the fight. It showed me his biggest flaw, just like MOrales, Marquez and Margarito showed me Pacquiao's. They are both blessed with amazing speed, fluidity and combinations, but neither really controls a fight. They use their speed and power and stamina to overwhelm guys, but if they were to take their foot off the pedal they wouldn't be in control. They rely on their outside game. Pacquiao at least can punch back on the inside, and has incredible power at all distances and angles, but Khan doesn't. He was completely frozen on the inside against Maidana. He had no answers whatsoever. I see anybody with the skill or determination to get inside with him could be extremely risky for him despite the fact I think he could give either Mayweather or Pacquiao a run for their money fighitng on the outside. Is Bradley as fast or flashy as Khan? No, but he does have great defensive skills, he is quick enough, and he will pressure Khan.

I think Roach already knows Khan would give Mayweather fits on the outside, but he knows that, that's all Khan has, and he knows how good Floyd is at getting inside on guys and doing damage a lot of people don't see. To get back to the reason I am writing is that Khan isn't the best at 140... yet. Timothy Bradley has proven against a much greater variety of opponents that he is the best in the division. Khan has outboxed older, slower boxer than them, and he has survived a slugger, but his style will look much better against a boxer than he will against a slugger, while Bradley will look overall better against both because he is a more complete fighter.

[BIG H]

I was also not fully sold on Manny Pacquiao either, but his power, chin, and fighter instincts made me a fan a long time ago. But like him, Amir Khan has the same flaws without maybe the same strengths. Sure Khan survived Maidana's punches, but he didn't control the fight. It showed me his biggest flaw, just like MOrales, Marquez and Margarito showed me Pacquiao's. They are both blessed with amazing speed, fluidity and combinations, but neither really controls a fight. They use their speed and power and stamina to overwhelm guys, but if they were to take their foot off the pedal they wouldn't be in control. They rely on their outside game. Pacquiao at least can punch back on the inside, and has incredible power at all distances and angles, but Khan doesn't. He was completely frozen on the inside against Maidana. He had no answers whatsoever. I see anybody with the skill or determination to get inside with him could be extremely risky for him despite the fact I think he could give either Mayweather or Pacquiao a run for their money fighitng on the outside. Is Bradley as fast or flashy as Khan? No, but he does have great defensive skills, he is quick enough, and he will pressure Khan.

I think Roach already knows Khan would give Mayweather fits on the outside, but he knows that, that's all Khan has, and he knows how good Floyd is at getting inside on guys and doing damage a lot of people don't see. To get back to the reason I am writing is that Khan isn't the best at 140... yet. Timothy Bradley has proven against a much greater variety of opponents that he is the best in the division. Khan has outboxed older, slower boxer than them, and he has survived a slugger, but his style will look much better against a boxer than he will against a slugger, while Bradley will look overall better against both because he is a more complete fighter.

Time will tell on that one.

If Bradley grows a sack we can find out sooner rather than later

[J_Undisputed]

You're not fully sold on him, because he's yet to provide that sense of invincibility. When a guy gets so skilled, he tramples all in his path seemingly effortlessly, it becomes so easy imagining him beating every other fighter in this way or that way.

Looking at a fighter like Marquez, who always seems to be in trouble earlier, you think well if he gets up...we know what happens then. "He'll kill this guy..."

When you see a guy like Khan struggle or escape here or there against Maidana (Presscott KO aside), you think .. if only someone did the same thing to him.. earlier or longer or intentionally without wearing themselves out with so much flailing... and we would have probably never heard of this guy. It becomes a lot easier to list a set of guys with the skills to duplicate the set of circumstances that had this guy in trouble. Khans got a lot of mouth, but its just part of the game. Old lions hunt for food, Young lions hunt for sport after their already full, so they're a little more bold.

I haven't really bought into the accuracy thing. Khan likes to joust (he rubs at you or by you with straight punches and if he misses, he's moves his feet, locks you up or pushes your head down and leans on you) and while its effective, it hardly screams "on another level". It's a good tactic for negating an opponents offense. He uses his reach so he gets off first by beginning his attack at a distance his opponents couldn't dream of starting at. Because he throws a lot of punches, they have to drive headlong through the storm in order to get off. There aren't too many fighters that can step back and then thread a needle with a counter. A guy like Floyd would be dangerous for Khan in that he's perfected it. Its like his signature move. Feint/step back , then counter, then duck the counter's counter. Could Floyd knock Khan out that way?... Not with one shot. Its doubtful. Land it enough times though, and it takes a fighters heart. After that, in creeps doubt and fatigue.. out creeps focus, defiance, and persistence. Its not hard to see a few of the right fighters taking Khan into deep water.

[marbleheadmaui]

Here's what to be sold on about Khan:

1. He has responded from a KO loss in exactly the way one likes to see;
2. He has shown a wonderful ability to learn;
3. He takes daring fights
4. He's got some impressive natural gifts

At this point there's a lot to like with this kid.

[zhubin]

I think Floyd would hand Khan his ass. I think Khan fights a little too "cute." Almost like "Look everyone...how quick my hands are." While he is skilled and has the physical tools...i don't see much in terms of ring smart and adapting to make him special. Floyd...even at 34...can match anyone in the physical department. But what sets him apart...is that no one can match him in the skill and ring smarts department. He has a plan A, B, and C.

[BIG H]

I think Floyd would hand Khan his ass. I think Khan fights a little too "cute." Almost like "Look everyone...how quick my hands are." While he is skilled and has the physical tools...i don't see much in terms of ring smart and adapting to make him special. Floyd...even at 34...can match anyone in the physical department. But what sets him apart...is that no one can match him in the skill and ring smarts department. He has a plan A, B, and C.

Well Khan is still a 24 year old kid, whereas Floyd is one of the greatest fighters in history, so he probably would. But you could apply that to just about any other fighter in Floyd's weight class for the past 10 years.

[FTMatty]

I hate the fact that I'm warming (very slightly) to Khan.
As a person I think he's an utter prick, but as a fighter he is really starting to show some serious talent and balls.

[BoxingDaveUK]

Khan is at the pinnacle of british boxing, and it would be great if he could show pretty boy or manny a thing or two in the way David Haye couldnt!

[FTMatty]

Khan is at the pinnacle of british boxing, and it would be great if he could show pretty boy or manny a thing or two in the way David Haye couldnt!

Not a hope in hell of beating either of them I'm afraid.

[Mark TKO]

I hate the fact that I'm warming (very slightly) to Khan.
As a person I think he's an utter prick, but as a fighter he is really starting to show some serious talent and balls.

friends no more. Next time in a round you can buy your own

[BoxingDaveUK]

check out Boxing Equipment if you guys are after cheap gloves etc.

Dave

[Mars_ax]

I was also not fully sold on Manny Pacquiao either, but his power, chin, and fighter instincts made me a fan a long time ago. But like him, Amir Khan has the same flaws without maybe the same strengths. Sure Khan survived Maidana's punches, but he didn't control the fight. It showed me his biggest flaw, just like MOrales, Marquez and Margarito showed me Pacquiao's. They are both blessed with amazing speed, fluidity and combinations, but neither really controls a fight. They use their speed and power and stamina to overwhelm guys, but if they were to take their foot off the pedal they wouldn't be in control. They rely on their outside game. Pacquiao at least can punch back on the inside, and has incredible power at all distances and angles, but Khan doesn't. He was completely frozen on the inside against Maidana. He had no answers whatsoever. I see anybody with the skill or determination to get inside with him could be extremely risky for him despite the fact I think he could give either Mayweather or Pacquiao a run for their money fighitng on the outside. Is Bradley as fast or flashy as Khan? No, but he does have great defensive skills, he is quick enough, and he will pressure Khan.

I think Roach already knows Khan would give Mayweather fits on the outside, but he knows that, that's all Khan has, and he knows how good Floyd is at getting inside on guys and doing damage a lot of people don't see. To get back to the reason I am writing is that Khan isn't the best at 140... yet. Timothy Bradley has proven against a much greater variety of opponents that he is the best in the division. Khan has outboxed older, slower boxer than them, and he has survived a slugger, but his style will look much better against a boxer than he will against a slugger, while Bradley will look overall better against both because he is a more complete fighter.

Khan has become another Brit media darling and HBO seems to be all over this clown's sack as well. To me Khan is just another 'good' but overhyped fighter.

[Hunter]

It is hard to become sold on a guy that was beat down by a crap fighter like Bredis Prescott. But It has happened to other fighters that went on to become pretty good fighters like Lennox Lewis and Wladimir. Just takes time and some good fights to get the destruction out of your mind.

[Fenster]

I was also not fully sold on Manny Pacquiao either, but his power, chin, and fighter instincts made me a fan a long time ago. But like him, Amir Khan has the same flaws without maybe the same strengths. Sure Khan survived Maidana's punches, but he didn't control the fight. It showed me his biggest flaw, just like MOrales, Marquez and Margarito showed me Pacquiao's. They are both blessed with amazing speed, fluidity and combinations, but neither really controls a fight. They use their speed and power and stamina to overwhelm guys, but if they were to take their foot off the pedal they wouldn't be in control. They rely on their outside game. Pacquiao at least can punch back on the inside, and has incredible power at all distances and angles, but Khan doesn't. He was completely frozen on the inside against Maidana. He had no answers whatsoever. I see anybody with the skill or determination to get inside with him could be extremely risky for him despite the fact I think he could give either Mayweather or Pacquiao a run for their money fighitng on the outside. Is Bradley as fast or flashy as Khan? No, but he does have great defensive skills, he is quick enough, and he will pressure Khan.

I think Roach already knows Khan would give Mayweather fits on the outside, but he knows that, that's all Khan has, and he knows how good Floyd is at getting inside on guys and doing damage a lot of people don't see. To get back to the reason I am writing is that Khan isn't the best at 140... yet. Timothy Bradley has proven against a much greater variety of opponents that he is the best in the division. Khan has outboxed older, slower boxer than them, and he has survived a slugger, but his style will look much better against a boxer than he will against a slugger, while Bradley will look overall better against both because he is a more complete fighter.

Khan has become another Brit media darling and HBO seems to be all over this clown's sack as well. To me Khan is just another 'good' but overhyped fighter.

Khan is currently ranked no.1 by the Ring. He's beaten 5 of their top ten ranked fighters. Three of which are still top ten ranked.

There's no HYPE about Khan. He's clearly proven himself to be a world-class fighter.

The P4P no.6 is currently rated SECOND to Khan in his own division.

[Mars_ax]

It is hard to become sold on a guy that was beat down by a crap fighter like Bredis Prescott. But It has happened to other fighters that went on to become pretty good fighters like Lennox Lewis and Wladimir. Just takes time and some good fights to get the destruction out of your mind.

If it was just Khan's fight against Prescott you had to get out of your mind that would be one thing, but getting beatdown and nearly knocked out by Maidana stands out as well. I'm not saying Khan isn't a good fighter, but if he wasn't a Brit media darlin' and HBO's lastest promo poster boy, I doubt that he'd be getting nearly as much attention for what he's been able to accomplish so far.