Anyone think Khan still isnt world class?

[Hagler2002]

$$$$$$ dictate it won't happen, on radio 5 Saturday morning Frank stated he never wanted the 1st fight to happen so I can't see him making a rematch, anyway there are bigger fish to fry now.

[teddy007]

"Well, jake La Motta was asked how well Oscar De La Hoya would have been in his era of "one" world champion in each division and La Motta stated that he would have been a top eight fighter at most. Now that is LaMotta's opinion, but he was making the simple statement, that a lot of today's "world champions" would'nt have entered the top ten in his day, because there was only one world champion to each division and so the competition to fight the champion would have made the more average fighter's fall before the big prize was in sight. If you don't understand that simple argument, then you really don't have the acumen to pontifcate on my post and say it's a "pretty stupid statement". It's actually a very sensible statement to make and a viewpoint that is widely shared by many people"

I totally agree with that.

[jim wright1]

Fair point but I would love to see Khan/ Prescott 2. I think Khan would like to put the loss to bed and I also think that Roach would get Khan past Prescott.

Frank did say that he didn't want the first fight but I think that there was probably a sprinkling of hindsight with that statement.

[Kilburn]

If he can beat Maidana, or at least give him a good fight and run him close, I will readily call Khan world class.

When did Maidana become the yardstick? The guy lost to the first "name" he fought.

If there were plenty of people doubting the world class credentials of Ricardo Mayorga then I can't see Maidana getting looked upon too favourably.

[hitman09]

It's a good point about what LaMotta said (also there were only 8 divisions back then so far more depth in each division) but the question is whether Khan is world class today, not whether he would have been50 years ago. He wouldn't make a top 25 WW today if there were only 8 divisions, but he is a top LWW, and do is world class.

[Bard of Boxrec]

If he can beat Maidana, or at least give him a good fight and run him close, I will readily call Khan world class.

When did Maidana become the yardstick? The guy lost to the first "name" he fought.

If there were plenty of people doubting the world class credentials of Ricardo Mayorga then I can't see Maidana getting looked upon too favourably.

I never said he was a 'yardstick' - after his win vs Ortiz he is a fellow claimant to 'world class' and also presents a different problem with his power. With Khan's skills, Warren was confident Khan could beat Kotelnik. Styles make fights. Would he have put Khan in with Maidana if Maidana had beaten Kotelnik? Is there anyone on the forum who honestly thinks he would have done? Hell, he's going to avoid Maidana even now!

[Kilburn]

To me it's quite feasible that Khan would outbox Maidana, and it's almost a certainty that if he did then a section of people would move on to another opponent whom Khan needed to beat to prove he is world class.

To me if you're one of the top 10 fighters in your division then you're world class. The question of this thread wasn't if Khan could be #1.

[hayemaker]

A mere con, watch him duck Maidana like he ducked Marquez, the bum has no heart like we seen against Prescott.

[Spud]

Clearly a very very good win - something I did predict that Khan would do - however I have openly admitted I do not like Khan and never will - but nonetheless a very good win indeed.

[hayemaker]

Clearly a very very good win - something I did predict that Khan would do - however I have openly admitted I do not like Khan and never will - but nonetheless a very good win indeed.

Sign me up for that club, i want to see him ferociously beaten for being an protected little arrogant punk, ontop of that he likes to crash his car into OAPs.

[WildWaylon]

I think Khan fought better than he has in the past and won the fight without any controversy. Glad to see neither the ref or judges were from the UK. To answer the question, I think time will tell. True World class to me is more than just winning the belt. You have to go on to prove you are a genuine champion by successfully defending against ranked fighters and unifying. Having got to where he is, Khan now has to prove he can stay there.

[gobbles]

A mere con, watch him duck Maidana like he ducked Marquez, the bum has no heart like we seen against Prescott.

A "bum"? What an idiot you are.

[Spud]

Hayemaker,

Please do not bracket me with your posts young man - I do not need or want your support - I have my very own private reasons for my dislike for Khan - but I am at pains to stress the win last night was a very good one indeed and whatever happens he will earn himself a lot more money than he already has.

If Hatton decides to continue - the fight with Khan is inevitable and whats more I have Khan winning the fight - that very thought makes me cringe - but win it he will!!!

[leforge]

Did Khan win save Warren tv future!

[Twinkle Toes]

I think he's approaching world class, but isn't there yet - Kotelnik was made for Khan, and yes I did say that before the fight, so no revisionist speak from me.

However, it wasn't a flawless performance, his accuracy leaves a lot to be desired, and there will forever be the chin question.

I suspect he'll go over when he meets someone with more than 50% stoppages on his record, and who isn't over 30.

It will be interesting where they go from here, but if warren has anything to do with it, expect a Calzaghe like reign.

[Neil Jones Jnr]

I think Kahn put it best himself when just before the fight was signed Kahn said Kotelnik was the worst ever world champion...

Kotelnik is a solid, durable guy. Would he be able to beat Hatton, Pacman, Bradley, Torres, Hoult etc. I think not. Mbaye and Witter also have wins over him. Kotelnik, is a lower top ten fighter in the division with a small punch.

However, Kahn did his job brilliantly tonight and desrves his win, imo he is now in the position that Berto is in. a belt holder, but miles from being classed the best.

Good win all the same, and I think a good win on his record considering he's 22. Take away the hype, sky box office and the WBA belt. And Kahn is progressing well for his age. He 's now a worthy top ten contender

[harrygreb]

i'd say he is fringe world class. it was a career best performance. he had shown glimpses of being a very good backfoot fighter before but he usually messed it up by having no idea how to defend himself against the odd bomb, also he used to become unravelled and un-nerved by less-than-crunching blows. oliver harrison knew what sort of fighter he should be - slow retreat with quick hands and feet - but didnt have the know how to instill it into khan. (remember in the early days team khan thought the boy was a come forward KO artist!)
Roach also saw the potential for an effective backfoot style but could actually teach him how it was done, fair play to amir for being a very good pupil. what he needs to learn now is a perfectly timed, very stiff left jab as his man is coming on and a crunching, blisteringly quick right hook or uppercut to follow. if freddie can pull that off - and i can see it happening - threads with the title above will become obsolete.

[harrygreb]

...and many a world class fighter had a dodgy beard

[alexpaterson]

I think he is world class he has good skills, fast hands, ok power, great fitness, great movement, tight defense and a shaky chin that will improve at LWW because he will absorb the punch better due to his leg muscles I think he beats Maidana by outboxing him for 12 rounds

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Some World Class Aspects of His Game

Speed (few faster), Workrate/Pace, Movement, Jab, Heart, Height/Reach (big advantages), a style thats now working for him

Some Substandard Aspects of his Game

Power (makes Mayweather look like Arguello), Chin (better now tucked though), Defense (much improved but will still leak)

Kotelnik was a world class operator (ie top6 at 140). Khan has a shot of beating Hatton, he is the better rangier faster boxer but will have to negate the strength, power and pressure of Hatton.

[jeej]

Well, Khan proved me wrong last night and put in a career best performance. Roach has got Khan listening and learning which has enabled the progress and success which we saw last night.

I think when we look at the big picture Khan's loss to Prescott and the transformation that has followed will see Khan reach his full potential by guarding his weakness and maximising his strength.

I think Khan should now go for a rematch with Prescott in his first defence and I think he would have a genuine chance of avenging the loss. If he kept the Columbian on the outside and picked him off from distance I'm sure he wouild win and put some closure on that shock defeat.

Well done Khan for the cracking effort last night.

Prescott doesn't deserve a title shot after losing on Friday.

Wakey, wakey! Khan didn't deserve one after losing to Prescott!

[harrygreb]

i dont think he needs to learn too much more before he beats the severely limited ricky hatton. has there been any recent evidence from hatton to question that?

[Autobarn]

If he can beat Maidana, or at least give him a good fight and run him close, I will readily call Khan world class.

When did Maidana become the yardstick? The guy lost to the first "name" he fought.

If there were plenty of people doubting the world class credentials of Ricardo Mayorga then I can't see Maidana getting looked upon too favourably.

maidana's his mandatory, and has a punch bigger than prescott's, lost a narrow superb fight to kotelnik, raised his stock with a thrilling stoppage of victor ortiz

could be very interesting if this fight ever happens

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Well, jake La Motta was asked how well Oscar De La Hoya would have been in his era of "one" world champion in each division and La Motta stated that he would have been a top eight fighter at most. Now that is LaMotta's opinion, but he was making the simple statement, that a lot of today's "world champions" would'nt have entered the top ten in his day, because there was only one world champion to each division and so the competition to fight the champion would have made the more average fighter's fall before the big prize was in sight. If you don't understand that simple argument, then you really don't have the acumen to pontifcate on my post and say it's a "pretty stupid statement". It's actually a very sensible statement to make and a viewpoint that is widely shared by many people

And after MArshall beat Lamotta he said all the better Black Murderers Row Middleweight fighters, who were frozen out of the world scene, would have also beaten him. So a World Champion in his day didn't have to beat the best of the best in the division and he was never the best Middleweight at any point himself.

[Autobarn]

Some World Class Aspects of His Game

Speed (few faster), Workrate/Pace, Movement, Jab, Heart, Height/Reach (big advantages), a style thats now working for him

Some Substandard Aspects of his Game

Power (makes Mayweather look like Arguello), Chin (better now tucked though), Defense (much improved but will still leak)

Kotelnik was a world class operator (ie top6 at 140). Khan has a shot of beating Hatton, he is the better rangier faster boxer but will have to negate the strength, power and pressure of Hatton.

he seems to have a world class brain now, to go with what we already knew was world class speed.

he still did look vulnerable. i noticed when he took shots on the arms - when blocking head and body shots - he was sort of knocked sideways. there was a sort of shudder, but he got on his bike smartly. i suppose it must have been an experience getting used to taking light welterweight punches.