Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

whiskey
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Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by whiskey »

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After another eventful Prizefighter when Michael Lomax came through some adversity and rode a little semi-final luck to land the £25,000 cash prize, I've swapped the spit and sawdust of the East End's York Hall for the sun and glamour of America's West Coast.

Los Angeles - the land where dreams are made, and, of course, of Hollywood, the hot-spot if you crave fame and fortune.

LA is also the chosen new training hotbed for one of the biggest recovery missions in modern boxing.
This is where Amir Khan - for a while, seemingly the chosen one - is undertaking the re-building process and it's fascinating to see.

I've been with Amir almost 24/7 and I can report that, while the mood and feeling among the camp is an extremely positive one, there are underlying tones of anger and resentment as to why he's been virtually written off by so many boxing judges.

While most members of the public and top fighters like Ricky Hatton, David Haye and former king Naseem Hamed have, according to Amir, been hugely supportive, there have been vitriolic attacks from certain members of the pugilistic world.
Defiant

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Khan's very much like a wounded animal and away from the cameras, he really opened up and spat out defiance.
But it seems to me that the 54-second devastation from the furious fists of Breidis Prescott has turned our former boy wonder into a rounded man.

He could have hidden away after the horror night, but it was Amir's decision to do the immediate post-fight interview, something his manager Asif Vali didn't ask for.

It was Amir who was back in his gym doing more press work the very morning after; it was Amir who made a list of changes that he wanted to implement; it was Amir who ultimately wanted former trainer Jorge Rubio out; and it was Amir who chose Freddie Roach as his new right-hand man.

He's as amiable and friendly as ever, but I'm noticing a new steely resolve to Khan. He craves success more than anything in the world. He has a very tight support network, but it is Amir who is calling the shots.

Khan wanted to be just another figure in the competitive and fiery Wildcard gym, and that's what he is - among all levels of fighter.
Intelligent

Walking down Hollywood Boulevard and seeing all the famous names has made Amir even more desperate to become a boxing star. He has assembled an interesting cast of back room characters for a new look Team Khan.

Freddie Roach is an intelligent choice. The legendary trainer believes in Khan. He rates him extremely highly, says he is one of the fastest fighters he's seen, and believes he has the talent and strength to return and become a major success.

Whether he's right or not remains to be seen, but he's a wise old fox who surely wouldn't be bothering with Khan if he thought he was simply a chinny liability.

Roach lives and breathes boxing and he told me he'd rate it as one of his big triumphs if he can turn Khan into a serious world champion, especially with the sceptics out there.

He is working on Khan's defence, head movement, old amateur traits and says he will tighten him up, while not taking away Khan's natural aggression. Roach wants to calm Khan down so he doesn't go all guns blazing for the knockout, but instead takes his time and hunts his opponent down. He is big on Khan's jab.

Roach is immensely experienced, having learnt from the great Eddie Futch, and has trained almost all of the modern greats,from James Toney to the Klitschko's to Oscar De La Hoya to Bernard Hopkins, and of course Manny Pacquiao.
Rigorous

It's the Filipino superstar who is perhaps the most motivational part of the camp. Khan has become inspired by the best pound for pound fighter in the world. After all, Pacquiao was stopped a couple of times early in his career and is now a 4 weight world champion, who is drilling himself into shape for the Herculean task of overturning the much bigger De La Hoya.

Khan and Pacquiao have been running the Hollywood hills together at the crack of dawn, undergoing a rigorous fitness regime side by side, and are even starting to spar, where Amir is more than holding his own.

Pacquiao is another believer. He told me he has never seen a lightweight as fast as Khan and is convinced Amir will win titles. Incidentally, Roach is so confident that his gym star will upset all the odds against The Golden Boy, that he believes December 6th will be Pacquaio and the gym's greatest ever victory.

The one snag to the double delight on Sky Box Office on December 6 is that Roach can't be in Khan's corner. They are annoyed about that, but Freddie is sending his assistant Jesse Arevalo to England and will be constantly on the phone.

Alex Arizo is the new conditioner who has been working on explosive, ballistic training with Khan to harden the inner core.
Alex is also changing the Khan body. One thing I noticed with Khan earlier in the year is how thin his legs were. Amir was always going on about his 'chicken legs'. Well they are beefing up. They look stronger and thicker, and if there is a weakness taking shots, this might help his cause in tricky times ahead.

His upper body is not as huge; they have straightened him up and say he will be far more flexible. The one lady on the team is the highly dedicated Teri Tom, Amir's dietician. She has been measuring his body fat from bitterly early every morning.

His family are lovely and they are all so close. Amir's dad, Shah, is an ever-present in the Hollywood apartment and has even donned the chef's hat to prepare Amir's meals. His mum Falleck's over with his little sister Mariyah at the moment and brother Haroon arrives this weekend.

We've been watching highly intensive sparring sessions - they always seem harder over here. Tough rounds with unbeaten Irishman Dean Byrne should get Amir well prepared for his comeback opponent - another Irish born American in Oisin Fagan.

What is really apparent is that the Americans seem to believe in Khan; if anything, more than the Brits. He's showing a superb attitude, has dealt with our crew in exemplary fashion and is a great guy. It would be sad if this story doesn't really go places.

Yes, there are so many questions to be answered. Is his defence good enough to reach the top level? Will the chin crack again? And mentally, how will he be with those Prescott demons?

But the word and feeling from LA is a strong and positive one. Khan is showing heart, character and immense dedication for the fight-back.

Give him a chance - there are few nicer British sportsmen.

Finally, we were grabbing a slice of pizza the other night - and quite a surreal thing happened.

Who walks in to the restaurant...Tyson - yes, Mike Tyson - but not looking quite so Iron Mike.
I think he enjoys a pizza or ten these days! He asked us to wish Ricky Hatton well - and we will. For Ricky is our next stop on this West Coast boxing tour.

Thanks for the LA memories Manny, Freddie, Amir - and Mike! Now Viva Las Vegas!


http://www.skysports.com/blogs/blog_sto ... 55,00.html
steve689
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by steve689 »

Interesting stuff. Especially that is was Khan who wanted Jorge Rubio out.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Datsue »

He's gone out there so good luck to the kiddie.

Anything Roach now says I wonder about, meself ("Israel Vazquez is shot, damaged goods. Marquez is gonna knock him out this time"; Hyun-huuuh, thanks Freddie!) but as I've posted before, seeing anyone who can punch get spectacularly splatted himself is a sure-fire way to get my attention for your next fight.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by whiskey »

Getting starched by Prescott was one thing...

..but before those Breidis-bombs rained in, a simple jab stiffened his whole body like he'd leaned onto an electric fence and that is perhaps more worrying than the crushing hooks than stretched him out.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Asterix »

Excellent article. It's nice to see someone highlight Amir's dedication and persistence.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Twinkle Toes »

Asterix wrote:Excellent article. It's nice to see someone highlight Amir's dedication and persistence.
No offence Aterix, but there are 100's if not 1000's of boxers with the exact same dedication and persistence.

Amir is no different in that respect - Difference is he does indeed have someone there to highlight such things.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by whiskey »

Interesting that Gethin (his rumoured opponent) has now been shelved.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Asterix »

Twinkle Toes wrote:
Asterix wrote:Excellent article. It's nice to see someone highlight Amir's dedication and persistence.
No offence Aterix, but there are 100's if not 1000's of boxers with the exact same dedication and persistence.

Amir is no different in that respect - Difference is he does indeed have someone there to highlight such things.
You've mentioned one of the differences. Another is the fact that Khan is financially set, so doesn't need to box on. It would be great to hear about the other boxers who are just as dedicated. I think it's good to shout out about the positives.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Twinkle Toes »

Khan will be sitting tight in a contract that dictates he has to fight on - Even if he didn't, I'd expect a lad of his age to want to carry on anyway.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by emma »

Good article thanks for posting Gomez. I think it will do him good spending time in America instead of living the celebrity lifestyle in Bolton.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Chambers2 »

That's an excellent article.

I think Amirs right to relocate himself to get himself away from the spotlight and I think he's got one of the very best trainers in the world. I'm not righting Amir off, I think he can still do well.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by overhand_right »

The problem is if you watch the previews for the Gomez fight, and again the Prescott fight, Amir is simply saying the exact same lines he said before those fights, his new style, his hands up, boxing and not trying to knock guys out, hes better than ever. All of this is just repetition from Amir, he only fights one way, and its no surprise to hear some rhetoric about a 'new Amir' from a fella whos paid by Sky Sports.

Its all for the gullible.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Ted »

I'm sorry,

Amir, you made hay while the sun shined. But alas your time came and went.

now go off into the distance and keep whatever scruples you have left.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Counter-puncher »

emma wrote:Good article thanks for posting Gomez. I think it will do him good spending time in America instead of living the celebrity lifestyle in Bolton.
:P

khan wouldn't be the first, I am sure, to be distracted by the gaudy lights of Bolton. let's hope he'll be more focussed in understated, businesslike Las Vegas
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Lenny »

What happens in Bolton, stays in Bolton :D
Bard of Boxrec
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Bard of Boxrec »

Counter-puncher wrote:
emma wrote:Good article thanks for posting Gomez. I think it will do him good spending time in America instead of living the celebrity lifestyle in Bolton.
:P

khan wouldn't be the first, I am sure, to be distracted by the gaudy lights of Bolton. let's hope he'll be more focussed in understated, businesslike Las Vegas
lol, good stuff.

I was just about to post the same thing as overhand, Khan says all this chit every single fricken time, and every time he looks vulnerable. Overhand, I'm tellin ya now, get some money on some rounds for Fagan, there, I said it, no moaning post fight.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by MightyWarrior »

Well I'm glad to hear things are a going well over there, sounds a nice set up.

And Amir maybe making the same sounds as before, but this time you'd assume he actually means it - having just been shockingly blasted out in front of...errr what were the PPV figures again? 25?

Anyway, a major wake up call, and even though he'd survived a few moments before, they probably only led him to think he was invincible ( ie always comes back to score the KO, no matter what )

Now he knows otherwise. I think he'll come back well...
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by terminator »

Things are different now-Khan has gotten out of his comfort zone in Bolton.
Before he was sparring guys like Fewkes now he is sparring with Pacman etc !!
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by overhand_right »

Riddick Blowe wrote:I was just about to post the same thing as overhand, Khan says all this chit every single fricken time, and every time he looks vulnerable. Overhand, I'm tellin ya now, get some money on some rounds for Fagan, there, I said it, no moaning post fight.
Thats exactly what i was thinking of doing Mr Blowe, this fella looks more solid than Khan's 'better' victims (Limond, Gomez), distance fighter, decent opposition, and isn't fighting an undefeated boxer, but instead a guy he knows can be put to sleep every second of every round.

I wouldn't like to guess a round, will the odds of a win via kayo outright be tasty?
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Bard of Boxrec »

I think it's better to go for a range of rounds with a spread on the surrounding rounds. Eg, for Prescott I went

rd 1 £20 @80/1
rd 2 £30 @80/1
rd 3 £30 @66/1
rd 4 £30 @66/1
rd 5 £20 @66/1

Then hedges on the other rounds. I thought it was more likely Khan lasted until the 3rd or 4th just because I felt the ref would give him every chance to survive if he was decked but at the same time not be able to withstand a beating much beyond that. I didn't envisage the total devastation that actually transpired lol. As it happened I made about the same as if I'd put the 150 or so on Prescott KO but, with these odds, if it had happened in the 3rd the difference can be big, if it was also 80/1 like it should have been.

Someone else got 125/1 on rounds for prescott though!!! jesus was I kicking myself. shop around, take betting v seriously!
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by overhand_right »

Hmmm. This fella doesnt look a banger though (not that it takes one to hurt Amir), more the type of fella who might stop Amir in the mid rounds. I see your strategy though. Will have to sniff around for the best odds.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Bard of Boxrec »

Yeah I don't think Khan will go down too early, it might not be until the 7th or 8th that he gets marmalised. I think I'm leaning towards 6, 7, 8 and 9 but no odds are up yet.

Edit, I'm actually really having problems with this one, I'll be gutted if Fagan comes out swinging and lands a hail-mary in the first. Fagan by KO might be the bet after all!

Anyone know how many times Fagan has been down in his career?
overhand_right
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by overhand_right »

I've got a feeling about rds 7, 8 and 9.

But if shots start swinging, you never know with Amir...
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by Captain Hook »

Good article, and I fancy Khan to take Fagan under this new regime. If he was still with Powell I'd think differently. That set-up was a joke from the start.

Roach is a top trainer, he's sparring Pacquaio, gaining experience and finally doing things the right way. I wish him luck.
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Re: Khan review by Adam Smith (sky blog)

Post by WildWaylon »

G0mez wrote:Interesting that Gethin (his rumoured opponent) has now been shelved.
Far too risky, they needed a reasonable opponent not a highly competetive one who had a pretty good chance of ending Khans career. Two consecutive losses would be a disaster.
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