Yuri Romanov & Amir Khan

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 11 Apr 2008, 07:41

In a relatively weak division, I think these two coming up against one another would be some fight.

I expect they'll be kept apart for the time being, but both are probable world champions at the weight (with one organisation or another), so a future fight to unify the titles would be quality. Still... that's jumping ahead a bit for now.

How do you rate them both, in comparison to one another, currently?

I'd give Romanov the edge if they fought now.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 11 Apr 2008, 07:50

Romanov is definitely the more skilled and ready, while Khan has that combo of raw talent, amateur pedigree & the whole system of UK boxing behind him. They'r like two sides of the same coin and I think they'll both do well. Don't reckon they'll ever meet in the ring unless they both have world titles, to be honest. Though I'd like to see it.

Yuri has been through a hard learning curve on a competitive British circuit. He has really learned how to fight in successes and the odd failure. His skills and accuracy have really been refined and he looks a world beater already. The only worry is he may be leaving something in the ring when he has the hard fights (Earl, Zoff, Melero). But Yuri has shown he comes through adversity.

Khan is being give right fights at the right time. This has allowed him to look flashy, move up the domestic and world rankings very quickly, grow in confidence and get the world title shot when he and his promoter can agree on it. The key worry is that he may have false confidence that a seasoned champ like Campbell can take advantage of. But timing is everything, he'll get hos shot when the time is right, and then learn how to be champ over a few soft defences before making (hopefully) good defences and heading into (hopefully) the big money, big attraction fights.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Apr 2008, 08:39

Romanov needs the fight more than Khan, as he is going to find it far harder to get a mandatory title shot.

For that reason, I see Khan ignoring the European title, and going for a belt at the first shot.

Give campbell a year more ring rust, and Khan's management will fancy it, they may fancy it now.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 11 Apr 2008, 09:14

Maybe, but Yuri is close to a WBA elim. There are 2 WBA belts out there - regular and super - and he'll get his shot at one.

But you're right, Yuri doesn't have the backing. That's why I really wanted a UK promoter like Hennessy or Maloney, to push for a world title.

Yuri will vacate the EBU soon. His mandatory - Melero - is a guy he already beat and doesn't want/need to fight again. Wouldn't mind seeing Yuri defend his title over here 1 more time, maybe vs Lee Meager (who has to wait for his British mandatory while Thaxton's cuts knit together). Can he fit in 1 more voluntary?

Anyone else think it will be Khan-Limond II while Khan waits for Campbell?

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 11 Apr 2008, 09:45

Khan/Limond II for the IBO lightweight "world" title

Now theres a frickin scary thought...

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 11 Apr 2008, 09:53

Isac Hlatshwayo would be interesting, as he holds a win over Campbell. Another pretty dangerous one though.

I think Khan nabs a lightweight belt, moves up before any really tough challengers come through, then does something at light welter - maybe Kotelnik or Holt (who IMO'll beat Torres 2nd time) - for a belt. Those guys aren't fashionable - like Campbell - and are not so hard to bring to the UK. Then if they're still around, British superfight maybe vs Hatton or Witter.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 11 Apr 2008, 10:08

Khan will get chinned long before this scenario plays out, Maussa me old boy.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 11 Apr 2008, 11:26

overhand_right wrote:Khan will get chinned long before this scenario plays out, Maussa me old boy.

Maybe, as he does seem to be asking for it at times. The opening is there for fighters who are technically good, for fighters who have good timing or speed.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Apr 2008, 11:29

Timing is the killer.

There aren't any other fighters in the division as quick. I can however well see someone like Romanov tucking up, rolling under Khan while he's doing that two fisted drilling with straight left and rights, and bringing a crisp hook up on an unsuspecting Khan.

At some point he's going to take a clean hard shot off a near world class fighter, and he's going to get hurt.

Having said that, I think Khan is a warrior deep down, and can envisage him getting off the floor to win on that scenario, provided of course, he can get off the floor.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 11 Apr 2008, 11:33

Khan is coming along well but he will never be the SRL or TH they seem to promote him as.

He certainly doesn't crack as hard as he thinks he does.

"If I hit any Lightweight on the chin he'll go down"

How many times Amir? 25?

He has developed some composure, or you think he has, then he hits the guy four times on the deck.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 11 Apr 2008, 13:19

Khan will be bypassing the British and Euro title routes IMO They have already signalled their intent by taking him into a WBO eliminator. All that talk of contracts with Kristjansen was nonsense, they had a soft opponent, highly ranked and lined up in a "world title" eliminator. That's why he was allowed a second bit of the cherry after pulling out.

They will wait for the major players to arse about and the WBO will be vacated, leaving Khan and a moderately dangerous but ultimately lower/fringe world class opponent to contest it. Khan wins world crown, money made for everyone involved, youngest world champ etc

As Paul Whitehouse coined: "Everybody's appy!"

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 11 Apr 2008, 14:33

steve689 wrote:Khan will be bypassing the British and Euro title routes IMO They have already signalled their intent by taking him into a WBO eliminator. All that talk of contracts with Kristjansen was nonsense, they had a soft opponent, highly ranked and lined up in a "world title" eliminator. That's why he was allowed a second bit of the cherry after pulling out.

They will wait for the major players to arse about and the WBO will be vacated, leaving Khan and a moderately dangerous but ultimately lower/fringe world class opponent to contest it. Khan wins world crown, money made for everyone involved, youngest world champ etc

As Paul Whitehouse coined: "Everybody's appy!"

I agree it was nonsense. When St Clair replaced Kristjansen in the previous bout, Warren said St Clair was a much better opponent.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 11 Apr 2008, 14:46

Terry D wrote:Over time you could argue that Romanov has cleared out the British division better than Khan has.

Probably Europe as well (Melero, Zoff & 1 or 2 Euro level Brits).

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Apr 2008, 15:35

DavidPayne wrote:Khan is coming along well but he will never be the SRL or TH they seem to promote him as.

He certainly doesn't crack as hard as he thinks he does.

"If I hit any Lightweight on the chin he'll go down"

How many times Amir? 25?

He has developed some composure, or you think he has, then he hits the guy four times on the deck.

Agree entirely. The vasty majority of his stoppages have been against much smaller opponents, and even then, usually as a result of a two fisted flurry.

Khan is quicksilver quick, and looks increasingly fit and mobile, but he's never going to be a huge puncher, especially at LW, where he will campaign at pretty soon.

Khan looks good enough already to win a version of the world title somewhere not too far down the line, but I would be amazed if he's able to truly dominate in any division.

A level below the likes of Calzaghe, and remains to be seen whether he has the capacity to do what Hatton did.