Who is the Best Lightweight in UK

[Poncey]

My main problem, and it appears to be the problem of many, is that Khan has a big mouth. He says "I'll beat x, y and z. I'll be World Champion by the time I'm 21" yet he hasn't fought x, y and z and hasn't challenged for a World Title.

If this was an American, I bet all and sundry would be ragging them as full of sht.

He stated he would fight Murray in September if he beat Meager. Low and behold last night Sports Network said that he won't, but will monitor it. Well whoopedydoo!!

I have no problem with fighters being brought along slowly, or against soft punchers at Khan's age. I DO have a problem with them calling out fighters and then not backing it up.

Also, Khan needs to clean up domestically then fight for the Euro title then the World.

[stujones]

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Well, I always wanted Khan to fight Meager. As a decent test. The fact is, there has been a massive amount of care in the choice of Khan's opponents. Whereas there hasn't really with Murray.

Kristiansen average, limited, can't fight coming forward. Didn't he get lucky vs Zoff?

There, my problem. Thats my case summmed up. Kristjansen is much better than Meager.

Meager doesn't have good power or particularly good skills. Kristjansen is more proven at a higher level. No the Zoff fight wasn't lucky... it was an absolute classic, a draw was accurate IMO The first fight showed he "belonged" in Zoff league - 115-112 is how I scored that one... with Kristjansen in the accendency towards that fight.

Limond can't fight going forward either... and he gave Khan his hardest fight.

Kristjansen would beat Thaxton and Meager no doubt in my opinion. Limond would be a tough pick and I would probably favour Murray.

If Murray fought Kristjansen for say the EU title - then people would have been over joyed saying "massive step up" - good title cause he'll get an EBU ranking. And I think this would have been justified... Khan fights him he's a "limited fighter who got lucky". You know and I know that if Khan fought Meager it would have been "oh another non-punching fighter".

I'm not sure how you can say there has been not much "care" with Murray's opponents... when the only two fighters you've mentioned as tests are Meager and Hickman (in a longer pro career than Khan). So while he hasn't maybe had the time that Khan has had - Hennessey hasn't exactly said "okay your fighting Edner Cherry in two weeks" - he's been fighting guys with like 16-7-3 records. Fighting guys who Khan got lambasted for fighting after like 4 fights.

Also, Henessey did guide him to a meaningful title fight yonks ago..... can't help Murray didn't take it up. He was, rediculously IMO, nominated to fight for the British Super Feather title.

[Autobarn]

Meager was a meaningful fight for Khan: he'd had memorable fights with Hunt and Stewart, was still well rated in the UK & Europe even after the Thaxton loss. Respected in Britain, capable and exciting: Meager would have got stuck in and risked his neck for the win. Something the Dane didn't try to do. That's what the smaller, less fresh Gomez did; Gomez had Khan down & hurt to the body.

We can disagree on how differently Khan and Murray's careers have been promoted - you're not having it about how activity, occasion, knowing whom you're fighting etc affect motivation and performance. Don't forget, last May, Murray was going to fight Fewkes (ill), Felix Lora (didn't turn up), Nad Sid (weighing close to light middle limit). Bigger men, dangerous.

Is Khan domestic, Euro or world class? What weight is he (a natural 140, a super feather at heart?)? Why doesn't someone make their mind up and go for one or the other?? My fave word again, equivocation. Nothing is made clear, not the weight, not the level he's at, because it's like he's in his own little universe.

What matters is what comes for Murray. No more waiting, after Meager. Possible fights out there with Thaxton, Fewkes, Melero (who stopped your boy Zoff). These are not blown up guys. Now Murray's likely going to get the build up -and the fights -he wants. I'd like to see both reach the maximum of their abilities. Is fighting smaller men really going to help prepare Khan for later tests?

[stujones]

I agree with most of that... although not sure what your constant reference to Khan being at natural 10 stoner. He makes lightweight... so what he is above the weight before hand. Because Haye never signed with Warren was there any reference to him being a natural Heavy before Haye himself started saying it.

Of course it is made clear his weight - he is Commonwealth Light weight champion... sure you can make reference to his many Super Feather's he fought... but why the constant reference to him being a Light Welter... he's not. He can make the weight.

I agree IF Murray fought those fighters you mentioned, then yes he would over take what Khan has done... especially if Melero beats Thaxton. But he hasn't... and your judging him as "better" based on his win over Meager

[Autobarn]

I think Meager was a great introduction for Murray - good fight to bridge English and British levels, as I see it.

I just think Khan is a natural light welter. It's hard to categorise him re weight and level, which frustrates me. Hopefully they bring on Arthur next year, who outgrew super feather months ago. I wish he would have gone for Romanov before he vacated. Khan could maybe have won that fight on the move - would have been life-and-death, but he has the speed for the job - which would have got him massive credit. Obviously, to get fights like that, he would need more real lightweights on the record.

I like the way Romanov went about things. In a way, he has been the true British #1. Fights with Steve Murray, Vanzie, Earl, Thaxton. Even the defeat made him a better fighter, allowed him to reach his true potential. Khan is such a big name that things are always planned to precision. I don't think it's good when you can feel the planning, while watching the fight. Feels like a racket, rather than sport.

Re who the best lightweight in the UK is, I don't think we'll find out - for a long time. We'll have to compare who they're fighting, as we have been doing. Khan, Murray, Fewkes, add Kevin Mitchell when he moves up. Could have Benn/Eubank/Watson/Collins-like action.

[SexySouthPaw]

THAXTON #1