Interesting interview with St Clair

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 28 Jan 2008, 13:39

St Clair confidence deserves respect
by Ciaran Baynes, 28 January 2008

While many of Amir Khan's opponents have insisted the Olympic silver medallist would not present anything they can't handle, the relaxed confidence exuded by Gairy St Clair suggests he truly believes it.

St Clair (39-5-2, 17 KOs) does not promise to beat Khan (15-0, 12 KOs), but is dubious he will be facing anything he has not seen before and absolutely certain he will not be stopped.

Heard it all before you may say.

But not from a man who has never been knocked down, let alone stopped in his 46-fight career. Someone who held a world title not much more than a year ago and has mixed with Diego Corrales and Vivian Harris, albeit before the millenium. A fighter who has sparred countless times with Zab Judah and many rounds with Kostya Tsyzu.

For all Khan's gifts, would you not be confident lasting the distance with him if you had not been troubled by any of these fighters?

"He may show me some speed, but I've been in the ring many times with Zab Judah and he's pretty quick."

Did Tszyu ever hurt him in the ring?

"He caught me a lot of times, but never hurt me. I was blessed. I've never been hurt. It's in my genes it's where I grew up."

St Clair saw Khan fight once in Belfast, when he was supposed to be fighting Scott Harrison for his WBO featherweight title - before the Scot's personal problems ended this possibility - and saw one of the Bolton fighter's least impressive performances when he was taken six rounds by Hungarian Laszlo Komjathi.

Since then, he has paid little attention to Khan's career, he did not know that he had been knocked down by Willie Lomond for instance, and does not plan to brush up before fight night.

"I make no special preparations. I've been boxing 14 years. I know what to do in there. I just adjust to what I'm facing. That's why they call me superman."

If this smacks of over-confidence, his answer when asked about the possibility of stopping his opponent showed his sense of perspective.

"I'm not a big puncher, but you never know we'll see what happens."

Like any fighter he is not going into the bout talking about defeat and insists he is there to win. But his is a pragmatist's vision, not a romantic one.

He does not have the gaudy ambitions of Khan - he cannot afford them. But that does not make him any less determined. Victory over Khan could propel him to another big payday, but a stoppage defeat would in all likelihood end this possibility forever.

Such financial motivation for a man with "bills to pay" and five children across the other side of the world from his current base in Sydney, is every bit as powerful as Khan's fear of defeat and the wrecking of a pre-told destiny of being a world champion.

"I don't care about world titles, I've been world champion," St Clair said. "The money's not in the titles. It's in who you fight."

He was preparing for an IBF inter-continental super-featherweight title bout scheduled the day before this bout but chose this one because it paid more.

This is not to say that this determination and experience are likely to propel him to victory.

His chin may be the stuff of legend and deserving of his nickname but his in-ring skills are not as polished as Khan and as difficult as his opponents have found his style to come to terms with, so have the judges who have scored his fights.

Similarly, a man whose trainer did not think he had the power to stop Harrison, is unlikely to seize the bout by force.

That said, though cynics may see him as at best a stepping stone, at worst a punch-bag, on Khan's ever-careful road to a world title, I get the feeling that St Clair will be a source of frustration for his opponent, and possibly fans on Saturday night - and that his career will still be alive once the final bell rings.

"Good luck Amir Khan trying to stop me. I'm going to be there all night," St Clair added before he left The Peacock Gym. And I believe him.
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Nicked from setenta.

Interesting artical. Will tell us a lot about Khan's ability this fight. If he KOs him then he probably is something special. I still wanna see him against a bigger puncher though.

observer1 · Post by **observer1** » 28 Jan 2008, 13:40

Hmm..

This is going to be a BIG BIG Test For Khan

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 28 Jan 2008, 14:49

Yes, I think if St Clair does what he's capable of, it could be a pretty frustrating for Khan. Khan should win comfortably on points given his workrate, but highly doubtful he get sa stoppage unless the ref stops it prematurely

Asterix · Post by **Asterix** » 28 Jan 2008, 16:21

TV interview: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gvgCjxAKats

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 28 Jan 2008, 16:42

Asterix wrote:TV interview: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gvgCjxAKats

Good spot comes accross as a nice guy. Will be difficult for Khan clearly.

KO Artist · Post by **KO Artist** » 28 Jan 2008, 18:36

observer1 wrote:Hmm..

This is going to be a BIG BIG Test For Khan

He is no match for Khan. St Clair is a good fighter, on the Fringe of world class at 130.

Khan is miles bigger, faster and more powerful.

By September Khan will be world title material.

Khans a very good fighter, has all the attributes, bar chin, we dont know about that yet.

Wax On · Post by **Wax On** » 30 Jan 2008, 05:06

This should be a good opportunity for Khan to get some rounds under his belt. It will do him good to potentially go the distance.

Don't want him doing a Calzaghe against Eubank when he finally meets someone world class, cause he's been so used to putting people on the seat of there pants within a few rounds.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 30 Jan 2008, 06:02

When St/Clair was named as Harrison's next opponent at 126 pounds everybody moaned.

He's now older and fighting a huge Lightweight.

What changed?

He fought and lost to Corrales and Harris on points?

St.Clair brings some pedigree, a good chin and a nice punch or two, but he's not in Khan's weight class, wont have the pop to discourage him and gives away a fathom in reach and height.

Its shrewd matchmaking. Which I know is a given. But lets not believe St.Clair is Azumah.

pm · Post by pm » 31 Jan 2008, 04:33

Spot on David

I also remember when he was portrayed as some sort of joke opponent when he was announced as Scott's next fight.

I guess you can take your pick, he was either ridiculed because of all the Harrison haters or now he is over hyped by all the Khan lovers.

Make up your minds damnit.

Exoddus · Post by **Exoddus** » 31 Jan 2008, 06:21

He's too small. 5'4".

The power he does have is all the way down at featherweight. He doesn't have punching power as a super featherweight. Let alone at lightweight. Khans a natural lightweight. I can't see Khan having many problems with a blown up super featherweight. When will Khan fight a legit lightweight? You can mention Earl. When I watched his interview before the fight. I knew he was going to lose. He couldn't even speak properly.

It'll be slightly interesting just because St Clair is a hard little bastard.

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 31 Jan 2008, 06:41

DavidPayne wrote:wont have the pop to discourage him
.

Lol. Willie Limond?

It would be good to see Khan do well but he is FRAGILE! I was watching juan diaz earlier, the guy is a machine. Khan better hope he has moved up by the time frankie ever lets him loose, which we all know is doubtful to happen anyway.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 31 Jan 2008, 07:05

Much shorter than Khan, and statements like "I don't care about world titles, I've been world champion," and "Good luck Amir Khan trying to stop me. I'm going to be there all night" don't exactly set the pulse racing.

In other words, he's not looking to win, just survive for a points loss.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 31 Jan 2008, 07:13

DavidPayne wrote:When St/Clair was named as Harrison's next opponent at 126 pounds everybody moaned.

He's now older and fighting a huge Lightweight.

What changed?

He fought and lost to Corrales and Harris on points?

St.Clair brings some pedigree, a good chin and a nice punch or two, but he's not in Khan's weight class, wont have the pop to discourage him and gives away a fathom in reach and height.

Its shrewd matchmaking. Which I know is a given. But lets not believe St.Clair is Azumah.

To be fair, Harrison was an established world champion, with a known pedigree.

There remain question marks over just how good Khan is, and whilst he does have big physical advantages, he's up against a vastly more experienced opponent who has mixed in very good company.

It's worth noting that Corralles is taller and with a longer reach than Khan.

St Clair should be able hopefully to extend Khan the distance, and pose some questions late on.

Datsue · Post by **Datsue** » 31 Jan 2008, 07:47

Nah, I'm sorry. I don't wanna come across like some of the bitter individuals on this forum, but I just think this is going to be a fricking massacre. Shrewd SN matchmaking, yes, but an edifying spectacle? Not on your nelly.

The guy's nearly a decade away from his best form (I know, I know, but St. Clair was never more than a trinket holder & anyway I've never rated Baloyi -- he barely got past the billion year old fossil remains of Lehlohonolo Ledwaba). Gairy will be outweighed on the night by about three weight divisions, & will need a stepladder to reach Khan's chin. The interview hardly suggests the lad's brimming with confidence either, does it?

& James, Corrales might've been taller (by about what? An inch? Inch and a half?) than Khan but NO WAY was he in 1999 anywhere near as big & strong a lad. Khan to thoroughly dominate on points in a near-sparring session, or maybe the strain of fending off the bigger dude wears St. Clair down in about 9 or 10.

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 31 Jan 2008, 20:00

thats the second person who has said something to the tune of 'Khan is more powerful than Corrales'.

What are you guys smoking????

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 01 Feb 2008, 14:48

KO Artist wrote:
observer1 wrote:Hmm..

This is going to be a BIG BIG Test For Khan
He is no match for Khan. St Clair is a good fighter, on the Fringe of world class at 130.

Khan is miles bigger, faster and more powerful.

By September Khan will be world title material.

Khans a very good fighter, has all the attributes, bar chin, we dont know about that yet.

This business about Khans chin not being the best, we certainly dont know - Limond hit him with a temple shot.

jeej · Post by **jeej** » 01 Feb 2008, 18:02

Riddick Blowe wrote:
DavidPayne wrote:wont have the pop to discourage him
.

Lol. Willie Limond?

It would be good to see Khan do well but he is FRAGILE! I was watching juan diaz earlier, the guy is a machine. Khan better hope he has moved up by the time frankie ever lets him loose, which we all know is doubtful to happen anyway.

Exactly. Limond wasn't exactly world famous for his power punching, so in essence it doesn't matter that St. Clair is not a heavy hitter.