Amir Khan; a K.O. waiting to happen?

Dioufy · Post by **Dioufy** » 23 Jan 2008, 07:41

I don't quite know what everybody else thinks but surely young Amir is coming close to being knocked-out, or is it just me?

He got put on queer street by Limond, and that guy's got like a 15% knock-out ratio, so he's certainly not a massive hitter but yet he still hurt Amir and big. That's not mentioning him being put down once or twice in the amateurs as well off light hitters. And against someone with better snap he's surely going to get hurt; I mean just imagine him going in with Katsidis, Campbell, Julio Diaz or Moses - he'd get killed.

Are we getting too excited about Khan?

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 23 Jan 2008, 07:58

Are you new?

This has been discussed endlessly!

Check out the knockout ratio of ALL of Amirs opponents, thats the key to whether his team have confidence in his chin...

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 23 Jan 2008, 08:07

I think there's an argument either way.

Whilst there is no doubt that Amir has been protected from big hitters, it is also true that he is in many ways still adapting from the amateur code, and therefore has a lot to learn.

Since being dropped like a sack-o-shite he has definetly improved in terms of his distance and timing of punches, the flailing away with both hands has gone, and his left hand is carried a little higher and he is generally more compact.

I doubt his chin is the best, however, it's worth remembering that the likes of Toney were dropped in early fights. A lof of being able to carry a shot comes down to how you are set when the punch lands and whether you see it coming. Novice fighters lack the anticipation of experienced professionals, and as a result often leave themselves wide open to counters.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 23 Jan 2008, 08:10

James Toney getting put on his arse by a true humdinger from REGGIE JOHNSON is a bit of a wishful comparison to Amir.

Whether he has improved is also open to debate. Since Lawton & Earl never challenged him in anyway we still dont know if he can fight.

Bah i'm bored of this topic.

Asterix · Post by **Asterix** » 23 Jan 2008, 08:52

I've just finished re-watching the Calzaghe vs Kessler fight, and there is an amazing example of a great chin. Kessler is powerful and really snapped back Calzaghes head with some punches (most notably an uppercut). Calzaghe has a fantastic chin.

But don't forget, Calzaghe has been knocked down before. I think how good someone's chin is depends on various factors (fighter is weight drained, cleanness of punch, power of punch, positioning of boxers, etc.), and to say, at this point, that Amir Khan has a poor chin is naive.

The proving point will come in the future. Right now, it's too hard to say. I'm finding it hard to remember if Khan has been hit with a great shot before, and I've seen pretty much all of his fights. Anyone got a link to a video where Khan gets hit hard?

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 23 Jan 2008, 09:14

No because Khan has never been in with a hard puncher.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 23 Jan 2008, 09:20

Terry D wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:I think there's an argument either way.

Whilst there is no doubt that Amir has been protected from big hitters, it is also true that he is in many ways still adapting from the amateur code, and therefore has a lot to learn.

Since being dropped like a sack-o-shite he has definetly improved in terms of his distance and timing of punches, the flailing away with both hands has gone, and his left hand is carried a little higher and he is generally more compact.

I doubt his chin is the best, however, it's worth remembering that the likes of Toney were dropped in early fights. A lof of being able to carry a shot comes down to how you are set when the punch lands and whether you see it coming. Novice fighters lack the anticipation of experienced professionals, and as a result often leave themselves wide open to counters.
That was a title fight for Toney and he was square on and got pinged with a southpaw left from a quality fighter. He was up immediately and was not red-eyed.

There were other knockdowns in earlier fights, he was knocked down by a journeyman whose name eludes me.

sweetscience · Post by **sweetscience** » 23 Jan 2008, 09:22

the limond knockdown wasnt a chin shot - he took about 4 shots to head and went down with the accumilation

craig watson did drop him in the aba's with a good shot - but we all no he can hit

other than that i think he may have got dropped from a body shot in his first olympic qualifier

each time he got up and won quite convincingly

after looking at the above i dont think his chin cant be that bad considering he has fought at the highest level possible (except genuine world class which he aint too far off) in 120plus Bouts

i just think the typical brit attitude of hating winners and loving losers puts the blinkers on some people

terminator · Post by **terminator** » 24 Jan 2008, 05:43

Juan Diaz was knocked down by a journeyman in his earlier fights-look at him now!!

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 24 Jan 2008, 06:53

But who~? Anybody seen this knockdown? Was it against a fella with a bit of pop? Did Juan walk into a cracking shot like Benn did v Logan?

Could be a different story all together. Its shocking a guy could be down & so out of it v Limond when he has done so little damage in his 33 fights.

terminator · Post by **terminator** » 24 Jan 2008, 07:05

Ppl were definitely questioning his chin when it happened

"Despite the potential for a shutout, Diaz has also showed a vulnerable chin. The Hernandez knockdown was the first of two times that Diaz has tasted the canvas against journeyman opponents. "

http://www.tigerboxing.com/articles/ind ... 1001245541

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 24 Jan 2008, 07:31

There must be some concerns, especially by his own promotional outfit - His opponents have generally all lacked one thing in common.

Amir is one of our brightest talents but at some point we all need to know if he can take the digs as well as dish them out.

For sure he is going to get hit and hit hard at some point in his career, and I don't mean by people with low KO ratio's, but by genuine elite fighters.

I think he'll react badly.

His next fight is a good name, and I think Amir is going to have to work quite hard for the win, but again the odds are stacked in Khans favour.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Jan 2008, 10:20

I'll see if I can find it. It was something which was noted in Dark Trade so second hand information.

What struck me was that coming into the Jones fight, some people were saying they didn't think much to Toney's chin. That was the point I was really making.

I'm not suggesting that Toney's chin and Amir's are carved from the same seam of material at all, but pointing out that Amir may not be considered chinny at all by the end of his career.

His poor footwork and anticipation are what I think is making him so susceptible right now.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 24 Jan 2008, 10:51

I have loads of old mags from 94 with Jones/Toney build up. I dont see Toneys chin ever being questioned- Jones, but never Toneys. Never heard his chin questioned on any broadcast and i have all his old fights even before Sosa. Boxing Monthly picks Toney to win over RJJ.

Think you may be onto a loser here McDonnell.

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 24 Jan 2008, 11:14

The Limmond fight obviously raised some serious questions about Amirs chin and they won't get answered til he gets tagged again, but despite the Limmond fight posing questions about Khan it will have also been a Great learning fight. I'm sure Oliver and Amir will have analysed the fight to death, seeing where he went wrong and how to correct it. Basically it was over-eagerness IMO

Khans getting a fair bit of bad press on here, but there's no doubting that hes got an awesome offensive and spectacular handspeed. He may kop a few losses along the way if his chin ain't upto scratch, but I also reckon he'll be capable of beating anyone at the weight on his day. Win, Lose or Draw Amir will provide excitement throughout his career IMO and he doesn't look like he wants to fall into the safety first Sports Network philosophy. Hopefully hes been taking careful note of David Hayes career.

I've just realised I'm an Amir fan!! (well I will be once hes fought Sir Thaxton of Norwich)

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 24 Jan 2008, 11:19

Yeah I think Toney's chin has always been cast iron, if he was dropped early in his career, and I don't remember that, it was likely an off balance slip.
Even Jones, who could hit hard enough to keep B Hop honest, never managed to hurt Toney.

A million miles from what happened to Khan in the Limmond fight.

If you were in the business of Khan PR, best you could do is compare him to an early DeLaHoya, who was dropped a few times early in his career, before showing he had an excellent chin later on.

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 24 Jan 2008, 11:29

I think its still too early to establish whether Khan can get past Euro level - Another matter is will he be able to stay at LW or will he have to move up to LWW - A lot of questions about the lad will I hope be answered in his next 3 or 4 fights - Had Earl not been caught early we might have found out if Khan can take a good punch, maybe a fight with Thaxton later this year will give us that answer - Based on what I have seen already Katsidis and Diaz look dangerous targets for Khan, especially Diaz - I cant see Khan in a world title fight in less than a year from now - FW is in no rush even if Khan is.

observer1 · Post by **observer1** » 24 Jan 2008, 15:57

Since Lawton & Earl never challenged him in anyway we still dont know if he can fight

yeah how selfish of him, maybe next time he can stand still in the ring like a Retard, so we can see if he has a Chin or not.

I would say St. Claire should be a Good enough Test now.. Definetley a Step Up in his Career.

fist · Post by **fist** » 24 Jan 2008, 17:49

Khans critics make me laugh. They've slowy quietened as he has developed and proved himself. The lad has talent and heart, and people should just sit back and enjoy the boxing - its entertainment.

His power is increasing all the time, as his movement, accuracy and timing. He's keeping his hands up more now and generally looking better than the Limond fight. As for that knockdown, he didnt look particularly hurt to me and it seemed to be acumulation. Either way, he got up and bust Limond up, breaking his jaw and nose.

I still dont know whether or not Khan will make it at world level but he's got a chance and clearly wants it.

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 24 Jan 2008, 19:40

fist wrote:Khans critics make me laugh. They've slowy quietened as he has developed and proved himself. The lad has talent and heart, and people should just sit back and enjoy the boxing - its entertainment.

His power is increasing all the time, as his movement, accuracy and timing. He's keeping his hands up more now and generally looking better than the Limond fight. As for that knockdown, he didnt look particularly hurt to me and it seemed to be acumulation. Either way, he got up and bust Limond up, breaking his jaw and nose.

I still dont know whether or not Khan will make it at world level but he's got a chance and clearly wants it.

Apparently Khan didnt break anything, not according to Limonds brother - Yes he has improved but as you say we shall have to see if he can make it at world level.

bigped · Post by **bigped** » 24 Jan 2008, 20:32

WildWaylon wrote:
fist wrote:Khans critics make me laugh. They've slowy quietened as he has developed and proved himself. The lad has talent and heart, and people should just sit back and enjoy the boxing - its entertainment.

His power is increasing all the time, as his movement, accuracy and timing. He's keeping his hands up more now and generally looking better than the Limond fight. As for that knockdown, he didnt look particularly hurt to me and it seemed to be acumulation. Either way, he got up and bust Limond up, breaking his jaw and nose.

I still dont know whether or not Khan will make it at world level but he's got a chance and clearly wants it.
Apparently Khan didnt break anything, not according to Limonds brother - Yes he has improved but as you say we shall have to see if he can make it at world level.

He didnt break a thing thats a fact, willy had a burst eardrum from as early as the second round and that affected to him.

MecnunK · Post by **MecnunK** » 24 Jan 2008, 23:00

Problem is not so much the knock down IMO but the length of time it took him to recover. From what I can see he was in limbo land for 30-40 seconds and at world level...........

It was a right hand to the temple that turned his legs to jelly and then the cumlative effect of 4-5 punches out of which atleast 3 ended up being wild swings/pushes rather than clean hits. SO to say it was a number of punches it is not correct at most I would say 2 clean hits and he was out of it.

observer1 · Post by **observer1** » 25 Jan 2008, 00:24

limbo land?

almost every Boxer Is Startled after being Knocked Down.

I thought Khan did pretty well considering he won in the next round..

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 25 Jan 2008, 02:40

He's chinny, end of story.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 25 Jan 2008, 06:51

observer1 wrote:limbo land?

almost every Boxer Is Startled after being Knocked Down.

I thought Khan did pretty well considering he won in the next round..

Yeah but by Limond???

Are you related to Amir or something observer, you seem to love the guy. If Amir defended himself as much as you defend him, he'd of never been down in his career!