Do you thin k that Amir Kahn is being rushed?

Crease · Post by **Crease** » 04 Apr 2008, 05:01

SIMPLE QUESTION FOR YOU GUYS:

Personally, I am of the opinion that he is, god knows thta he has talent, but after winning a mingy Commonwealth title, he's fighting for a world title eliminator?

What about the British title? Thaxton is still the only waulity British fighter that Kahan hasn't polished off yet/

What about the European title? Where's the pre=European title fights on the continent that boxers used to do? Or don't they mean anything anymore?

STP · Post by **STP** » 04 Apr 2008, 05:03

Khan is a young-ish 21 I think because he always seems a little nervy in interviews. He's naive and innocent, and has had everything handed to him on a plate in life (probably has 5mill in the bank with his Reebok deal), so he probably lacks something.

Maybe he is. There's certainly no rush - Calzaghe and Hopkins are 36 and 43 and supposedly peaking.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 04 Apr 2008, 05:16

It seems to be inherent in British sport that the British public set high expectations way too early for our talent, and then ride them when they fail.

It pisses me off!

Juan Diaz, in his 17th fight, fought Peter Nieves (who had a 15-4 record at the time). Khan, in his 16th fight, fought a former world champion, and is already Commonwealth champion.

He's being rushed.

STP · Post by **STP** » 04 Apr 2008, 05:18

It's never fair to compare.

He's not the next Naseem Hamed, he's the first Amir Khan.

He's not Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather, who were already WBC kings.

He's Amir Khan.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 04 Apr 2008, 05:20

That's a poor excuse. You name one fighter that has fought for a world title elimninator in his 17th fight and I bet you I can name 5 that haven't.

STP · Post by **STP** » 04 Apr 2008, 05:22

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. It's not fair to compare.

Calzaghe hadn't even turned pro at Khan's current age.

STP · Post by **STP** » 04 Apr 2008, 05:23

Rocky Marciano hadn't even started boxing at Khan's current age. And retired at 29 at something like 49-0 and undisputed world champion with defences.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 04 Apr 2008, 05:28

Here's a Friday challenge for everyone. Name an Olympic medalist that won a world title at a younger age than Khan.

STP · Post by **STP** » 04 Apr 2008, 05:32

Ask it in 3-4 months time, and Mayweather.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 04 Apr 2008, 05:40

sharpei_louis · Post by **sharpei_louis** » 04 Apr 2008, 06:16

But if he keeps winning he's not being rushed... he's obviously better than what's being put in front of him! It's a fine line between rushing and holding back.
Don't think we rush our fighters at all, sometimes the opposite, but we have such a small talent pool at times that it's understandable that so much is made of them in the media. In the US they'll fly through as quick as they are good. If they don't make it up a step then someone else will.
I say Khan needs to be tested. If he's good enough to win medals and get massive sponsorship deals then let's have him tested.
If he turns out not to be good enough then no amount of padding his record with poor quality but durable eastern europeans would have prepared him any better.

sharpei_louis · Post by **sharpei_louis** » 04 Apr 2008, 06:18

STP wrote:It's never fair to compare.

He's not the next Naseem Hamed, he's the first Amir Khan.

He's not Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather, who were already WBC kings.

He's Amir Khan.

And mate, have you been studying philosophy or something...?
Could feel a wistful and misty eyed distant gaze as you said that...!!

hoop · Post by **hoop** » 04 Apr 2008, 06:26

I def think he's being rushed, he's only 21 its cause he started all this iam going to be the youngest world champ thing a few years ago, and people will now slate him if he does not do it, he should fight for the british then euro and in a year or two go for the world.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 04 Apr 2008, 06:52

He's the one rushing himself with this record he's after. So perhaps he's being rushed into a world title fight too fast but in terms of opposition to date let's be honest he's been nowhere near rushed in that regard.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 04 Apr 2008, 07:01

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:That's a poor excuse. You name one fighter that has fought for a world title elimninator in his 17th fight and I bet you I can name 5 that haven't.

In fairness its not a real world title eliminator in terms of competition. Its not like hes fighting a Miranda like Pavlik fought, its a below domestic level

If he fights a Casa or Campbell that is rushed

WelshDevil · Post by **WelshDevil** » 04 Apr 2008, 07:02

He is going to get a World title fight without ever having faced a puncher, that's when he'll get found out.

I think his promotor knows that Khan is an accident waiting to happen and is overprotecting him.

'Cotton Wool' Khan anyone?

Lickszz · Post by **Lickszz** » 04 Apr 2008, 07:08

[quote="Emerson Poncey Name Ghent"]That's a poor excuse. You name one fighter that has fought for a world title elimninator in his 17th fight and I bet you I can name 5 that haven't.[/quote]

I can name you 2 that fought and won world titles by their 17th fight.

Oscar De La Hoya
Kosta Tszyu

STP · Post by **STP** » 04 Apr 2008, 07:12

Tszyu never went to Olympics (was 1991 Senior World Amateur Champion, though, beating Vernon Forrest in final).

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 04 Apr 2008, 07:26

Does anyone seriously think Fwanky is going to put Khan in with Casa or Campbell next?

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 04 Apr 2008, 07:29

Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:That's a poor excuse. You name one fighter that has fought for a world title elimninator in his 17th fight and I bet you I can name 5 that haven't.

Thats flawed because despite the bogus 'eliminator' tag this is just a prospect beating up a soft punching hand picked Dane.

A genuine risky world title eliminator would be him fighting a Yuri Romanov or Julio Diaz, but this guy...? We all know its no risk.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 04 Apr 2008, 08:28

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
Emerson Poncey Name Ghent wrote:That's a poor excuse. You name one fighter that has fought for a world title elimninator in his 17th fight and I bet you I can name 5 that haven't.
In fairness its not a real world title eliminator in terms of competition. Its not like hes fighting a Miranda like Pavlik fought, its a below domestic level

If he fights a Casa or Campbell that is rushed

Kristjansen drew with Zoff... so aint sure how that is BELOW domestic level.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 04 Apr 2008, 08:43

Fernando Vargas won a world title in his 15th fight.

David Reid in his 12th fight.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 04 Apr 2008, 08:54

Leon Spinks in his 8th

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 04 Apr 2008, 09:17

I dont think he is being rushed and FW is deliberately holding him back so he gets the experiance he needs before putting him against the best. Khan would fight for a world title tomorrow if Warren let him. Most people on here seem to think he is getting too many pushovers so I doubt they think he is being rushed either. We should see by his 19th/20th fight if he is going to live up to expectations because by then he will be fighting at a much higher level.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 04 Apr 2008, 09:18

Was Davey Moore a gold medalist?