Racism blamed for Khan's exit (written by Kevin Mitchel)

[Wales]

Still, bring on maidana

[Deserter]

Every fighter coming up does indeed have learning fights agianst guys with lower risk, but were talking british title level here, not first ten fights.
As for the ease in which Khan would win, dont forget the timescales here. this is before roach ensured Amir used his footwork to avoid getting hit, this is when Amir stayed in range and was dropped by Limmon Gomez and that french guy (forget his name).
Khan didnt dispatch Limmond "with aplomb" , and Thaxton is a much harder hitter than Limmond and has been a better box fighter since day 1. Neither did he really do so with Gomez, who some could argue was at the time a very poor mans John Murray. Aggressive come forward fightyer, but Gomez lacked punch output in that fight.

At the time were talking here, 2 ish years ago, I think they were good match ups between the aforementioned guys and an amir Khan that was far less a fighter to the one we have now.

You'd be very hard pushed to argue with any of that. Puts it all in context and makes a very strong case.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Every fighter coming up does indeed have learning fights agianst guys with lower risk, but were talking british title level here, not first ten fights.
As for the ease in which Khan would win, dont forget the timescales here. this is before roach ensured Amir used his footwork to avoid getting hit, this is when Amir stayed in range and was dropped by Limmon Gomez and that french guy (forget his name).
Khan didnt dispatch Limmond "with aplomb" , and Thaxton is a much harder hitter than Limmond and has been a better box fighter since day 1. Neither did he really do so with Gomez, who some could argue was at the time a very poor mans John Murray. Aggressive come forward fightyer, but Gomez lacked punch output in that fight.

At the time were talking here, 2 ish years ago, I think they were good match ups between the aforementioned guys and an amir Khan that was far less a fighter to the one we have now.

He won those fights though, I think personally that Khan underestimated the French guy who hadn't KO'd anyone and light hitting Limond as no risk - went in with his chin in the air and got caught - I doubt he would have been so careless against Thaxton nor Murray - As for Gomez - We all thought he was shot to bits but he came out of the trenches that night - for a lad in Khans stage of development - Gomez is a tough ask if he is up for it. (ask AA - and Gomez was meant to be 'shot' then)

I agree with you with Maidina - that will be a good fight but Khan to win widely on points.

[Wales]

Did Gomez coming out of the trenches that night, did he?. He marched forward with little snap in his shots,or punch output. Khan pretty much dominated 90% of the fight but struggled with what Gomez brought to the table - pressure and rough house tic-tacs.

There is no comparison between the Gomez who fought Arthur and the Gomez who fought Khan, none whatsoever. people may have thought he was hot against Arthur, but everyone knew he was undeniably shot by the time he reached Khan.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Anyone saying there isn't a massive racial issue here is sticking their head in the ground. Anyone watching his fights on Justin could see most of the chatters coming out with racist bile. Yes Khan has his own racist classless Pakistani fanbase too but thats hardly Khans fault

Now Amir is on a pedestal because he was a young prodigy, so hes there to get shots taken at him. Young boxers arent supposed to be headline in learning fights. So rightfully he'll get criticism for his opponent selection, but in fairness its his promoters choice and part of developing a boxer.

Ricky Hatton didnt step up until he was about 7-8years into his career, with 37 fights under his belt. Amir Khan has been moved at a faster pace and fought better competition at similar stages of their careers. Did Hatton get as much criticism as Khan? No, he got criticism but its been stronger with Khan, and there's more hatred, and there is a clear element of people wanting to see him fail. His arrogance, which is overstated, maybe part of this, but to me it seems some see him as a 'jumped up p*ki'

Amir saying 'I'd be a superstar now if I was white' is BS, but he'd get a lot less sick

[reggaereggae]

Anyone saying there isn't a massive racial issue here is sticking their head in the ground. Anyone watching his fights on Justin could see most of the chatters coming out with racist bile. Yes Khan has his own racist classless Pakistani fanbase too but thats hardly Khans fault

I hear you but reading the comments posted on Justin.tv is hardly conclusive proof of widescale racist hatred. The majority of people who post comments on there and YouTube are either:

a: Trolling for a reaction

or

b: Fcukwits who would not say "boo" to a goose if they were away from their keyboards.

How many people do you know personally (in the flesh) that have told you they post comments on Justin.tv? I don't know any. I don't take heed to the vitriol spewed via the semen congealed keyboards of internet trolls. I would hope Amir Khan doesn't either.

Exactly - the internet has given a loud virtual voice to people who have a small voice in the real world.

Comments on Youtube and Justin TV are not great yardsticks for what the majority of people think.

[DG.]

There is a lot of racial abuse out there about KHAN.

I don't blame the kid for p---ing off!


As long as he fighs the fights I wish him well.

[coneye]

As long as he fighs the fights I wish him well.

Point being has long has he does
and too be honest i think he will now I just cannot see GBP holding his hand like Frank did

so alls i can say is c'mon son step up, and shut the door on your way out.

[whiskey]

He won those fights though, I think personally that Khan underestimated the French guy who hadn't KO'd anyone and light hitting Limond as no risk - went in with his chin in the air and got caught - I doubt he would have been so careless against Thaxton nor Murray - As for Gomez - We all thought he was shot to bits but he came out of the trenches that night - for a lad in Khans stage of development - Gomez is a tough ask if he is up for it. (ask AA - and Gomez was meant to be 'shot' then)

I agree with you with Maidina - that will be a good fight but Khan to win widely on points.

Whilst you say he won those fights... it will hurt him in the long run with regards his overall development.

By ducking these dangerous fights on the way up, when he does peak at world class he will not have that battle-hardened streak in him and will capitulate, mark my words.

Anyone saying there isn't a massive racial issue here is sticking their head in the ground. Anyone watching his fights on Justin could see most of the chatters coming out with racist bile. Yes Khan has his own racist classless Pakistani fanbase too but thats hardly Khans fault

Now Amir is on a pedestal because he was a young prodigy, so hes there to get shots taken at him. Young boxers arent supposed to be headline in learning fights. So rightfully he'll get criticism for his opponent selection, but in fairness its his promoters choice and part of developing a boxer.

Ricky Hatton didnt step up until he was about 7-8years into his career, with 37 fights under his belt. Amir Khan has been moved at a faster pace and fought better competition at similar stages of their careers. Did Hatton get as much criticism as Khan? No, he got criticism but its been stronger with Khan, and there's more hatred, and there is a clear element of people wanting to see him fail. His arrogance, which is overstated, maybe part of this, but to me it seems some see him as a 'jumped up p*ki'

Amir saying 'I'd be a superstar now if I was white' is BS, but he'd get a lot less sick

You quite right, there are some nobheads out there with their racist bile - on youtube and justin, silly little idiots not worthy of debate.

Although i disagree with the 'harder fights than Hatton' comment though.

Rick had about 10 fights in his first year, within 2 years he was having his face peeled open with shots from a prime Thaxton for the British title, plus away trips to detroit (where he nearly got stopped on cuts too) and then went on the fight Tony Pepp who had just done 12 rounds with Mayweather, a fresh Gisueppe Lauri (19-1)

Then within 4 years he was fighting tough man Eamon Magee, then Ben Tackie and tough old bastard Vince Phillips. Even the likes of Pendleton were former champs.

Hatton has had a much more matched, tougher set of opponents than Khan has had.

[DG.]

As long as he fighs the fights I wish him well.

Point being has long has he does
and too be honest i think he will now I just cannot see GBP holding his hand like Frank did

so alls i can say is c'mon son step up, and shut the door on your way out.

I might actually become a KHAN FAN (like I was during the Olympics) now he has left and seeks out the best fights!

Fwank - imo - was all up for the Maidana fight becaue he knew Khan wanted it and would leave if he did not get it - he got it but left anyway!

COME ON KHAN!!!

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Did Gomez coming out of the trenches that night, did he?. He marched forward with little snap in his shots,or punch output. Khan pretty much dominated 90% of the fight but struggled with what Gomez brought to the table - pressure and rough house tic-tacs.

There is no comparison between the Gomez who fought Arthur and the Gomez who fought Khan, none whatsoever. people may have thought he was hot against Arthur, but everyone knew he was undeniably shot by the time he reached Khan.

We are going off tangent a little bit. The first 20 fights are going to be learning fights for any fighter but I would stack Khan's early pro career against anyone else fighting in Britian in the past 20 years with the exception of probably David Haye (and yes - silly as it sounds - Audley Harrison ). OK - it would have been better for us all if he had fought Thaxton and Murray but my point is - he or his managment didn't duck them out of fear of being beaten by these fighters. However it would have probably brought Murray his best ever payday and Thaxton nationwide exposure - a win win situation for those two paticular fighters.

[oliverfennell]

I don't like him , now up till now it may have had something to do with him bad mouthing and disrespecting good honest british fighters, who did'nt have the money experience and knoledge behind them,that he had and then REFUSING TOO FIGHT THEM .

Murray and Thaxton did just as much talking as Khan and as far as I can tell, they never agreed terms either. In fact, those two made names (or tried to) for themselves simply by calling out Khan rather than producing the results to force the issue, and Khan's trash talking of them was merely his response.

Furthermore, the only reason Khan's trash talking got more coverage is because he's the bigger name, and thus more likely to be reported on. Simple.

[oliverfennell]

Kevin Mitchell is a numpty - his shambolic puff piece of Khan-Salita was cringeworthy, calling it 'the most convincing comeback in recent memory' - simply laughable.

You actually dispute that? Please name a better comeback from a bigger defeat in a shorter time.

[oliverfennell]

And do you really think he cleaned up the UK and Europe before getting a world title shot?

Did Naz? Did Bruno? Hatton? Benn? Eubank?

[coneye]

Oh well suppose at the end of the day he's made plenty , gonna make a lot more not too many do it so , on that score good luck to him , but from a boxing fans perspective , wish he'd hurry up and make it and piss off then we can get down too some good fights.

[DEKKER87]

you get a large contingent of asians at a Khan fight.

yet you don't get the same racial demographic at any run of the mill fight...or even high profile fights involved british stars like hatton, calzaghe, haye etc etc etc....

but khan and his acolytes complain of racism.



are these asians boxing fans? do they simply like khan for the same reasons i do - because he's hugely talented and generally likeable??

or are they ONLY there because he's asian.

:??

...
ANYway - unlucky fwankie!!

[Twinkle Toes]

Good point.

[hitman_hatton1]

khan-murray never happened cos of promotional differences.

we all know warren's attitude to other promoters in this country.

as if he was gonna come together and do the fight with hennessy.

more chance of DG missing a junior witter fight.

[Wales]

And do you really think he cleaned up the UK and Europe before getting a world title shot?

Did Naz? Did Bruno? Hatton? Benn? Eubank?

Did I say they did? Im actually too young to remember who Benn, Eubank, Naz and Bruno didnt fight domestically, so who were the 50/50 fights on the way up they didnt take at domestic level? because post Limmond people who split 50/50 on Khan Thaxton, I'd go as far to say most on message boards at the time wqouldve picked Jono to clean his clock.

Do you think the fight with Thaxton (more so than Murray) was rightly not made at the time? Especially taking into consideration the comments made about Thaxton by Khan when Thaxton was british champion?

[whiskey]

When Thaxton was the British champion, Graham Earl was his mandatory but he dropped out.

Limmond gave up his opportunity to face Thaxton after he was offered a shot against Khan for the vacant commonwealth title.

After Khan won the fight, Thaxton publicly declared that they should meet up and put both titles on the line the old fashioned way.

Also the board delayed naming their mandatory until after the Khan vs Limmond fight. After Khan won, he was instilled as the challenger.

Warren put an offer forward with 'options' on Thaxton ( a deal breaker basically) and a counter offer of £400,000 was put forward by Hennessy.

Khan then withdrew from the bidding to fight Martin Kristjansen.

The fight with Thaxton would have been a defence of his commonwealth and a unification of the British.

"With the great end in 2007, this match was to be one of the most eagerly awaited," said British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Simon Block.

[Wales]

Amir Khan has struck the first blow in what could develop into a war of words with British lightweight champion Jon Thaxton.

Khan might be defending his Commonwealth lightweight title against Scott Lawton in Nottingham on Saturday night but it was Thaxton who was in his sights.

Thaxton, who returns to the ring on Friday in a title defence against Dave Stewart, was branded a "five-round fighter…too old, too slow and too predictable" by Khan.

"I want to fight Thaxton after another two fights. He hasn't fought anybody as strong and quick as me, and if I did fight him I'd box his head off," added Khan.

Meanwhile, Lawton said he had been overwhelmed by the support he had received. "Judging by the ticket sales I'm going to have more fans than any of Amir's previous opponents," he said.

[oliverfennell]

I don't like him , now up till now it may have had something to do with him bad mouthing and disrespecting good honest british fighters, who did'nt have the money experience and knoledge behind them,that he had and then REFUSING TOO FIGHT THEM .

Murray and Thaxton did just as much talking as Khan and as far as I can tell, they never agreed terms either. In fact, those two made names (or tried to) for themselves simply by calling out Khan rather than producing the results to force the issue, and Khan's trash talking of them was merely his response.

Furthermore, the only reason Khan's trash talking got more coverage is because he's the bigger name, and thus more likely to be reported on. Simple.

Murray said he wanted to fight Khan. Amir, wrongly, said he'd already battered John in sparring, even though they hadn't sparred. Ollie, you go a bit postal if someone makes a factual error in a forum post, would you have said nothing if you'd been erroneously dismissed?

Not sure about me going postal?

Well, the point I'm trying to make really is that BOTH sides have called for Khan-Murray or Khan-Thaxton, and NEITHER side could make an agreement, and at the same time BOTH sides have trash-talked each other. Yet it is only Khan who takes the stick for the fights not being made.

Furthermore, it is no secret that Hennessy and/or his fighters repeatedly used the same formula to make their names - i.e. baiting more famous boxers rather than forcing the issue with results. Murray-Khan, Thaxton-Khan, Witter-Hatton, Froch-Calzaghe and even Hide-Harrison.

While Khan was getting dissed for fighting Commonwealth champions and ex-world champions, what was Murray doing? Struggling with al-Hamidi. What was Thaxton doin? Struggling with Dave Stewart. Yes, it would have been nice if those fights had been made, but honestly, Murray and Thaxton did not do anything bigger or better than Khan except being "nice blokes" and "honest pros".

And whoever it was that latched onto Khan facing Scott Lawton when he good have boxed Murray. Yep, fair point, and Lawton was a pretty poor match for Khan. Why then, was it not until recently that Murray himself fought Lawton, and that it remains among his best results?

[oliverfennell]

And do you really think he cleaned up the UK and Europe before getting a world title shot?

Did Naz? Did Bruno? Hatton? Benn? Eubank?

Did I say they did? Im actually too young to remember who Benn, Eubank, Naz and Bruno didnt fight domestically, so who were the 50/50 fights on the way up they didnt take at domestic level? because post Limmond people who split 50/50 on Khan Thaxton, I'd go as far to say most on message boards at the time wqouldve picked Jono to clean his clock.

Most on message boards would have picked Jono, yes, but I'm quite sure they'd have been wrong.

Bruno and Naz didn't have any serious domestic pre-world title rivals but nevertheless they didn't win British titles anyway. Benn and Eubank's obvious omission was Herol Graham, and to be fair they quite shamelessly avoided him. The point is, though, that nobody looks at their careers now and says "Yeah, well they ducked Graham". The point is, they ultimately fought and beat a higher level than Graham, results that meant more internationally, and they are afforded their due because of this.

Just as Benn beating McClellan, Eubank beating Rocchigiani, Bruno beating McCall and Naz beating Kelley meant infinitely more than domestic wins, Khan will already be remembered more for winning and defending a WBA title and beating Barrera than for not fighting Thaxton and Murray.

As much as we like to see good homegrown scraps for traditional belts, we also have to remember that the world scene is actually more important, and if a British boxer moves in that direction in lieu of his domestic rivals, then so be it. Yes, in an ideal world he'd do both, but if offered a shortcut, who wouldn't take it? Do you think if Hennessy got Murray a shot at Katsidis, he'd say "No thanks, Mick, I haven't fought Mitchell yet".

[Wales]

if a British boxer moves in that direction in lieu of his domestic rivals, then so be it. ".

Agree with everything you say Olly, the only point i'm questioning is Khan wasnt moving in the direction of world honours instead of facing the aforementioned two (actually its more thaxton than murray). He fought lesser domestic fighters instead of Thaxton, and pulled out of one set of purse bids to face him.

Thats why I made a point of saying "at the time" and not in hindsight.

[Twinkle Toes]

.

Just as Benn beating McClellan, Eubank beating Rocchigiani, Bruno beating McCall and Naz beating Kelley meant infinitely more than domestic wins, Khan will already be remembered more for winning and defending a WBA title and beating Barrera than for not fighting Thaxton and Murray.

A thing to consider before stating the above is that the medium we the fans use to discuss boxing wasn't around in the days of those fighters you mention.

Point being, followers have a platform to air a public view and on an international scale.

In ten years time I suspect khan will indeed be remembered for not fighting his domestic rivals, there is just too much opinion that has been posted, for it to be forgotten about.

We're in a different era now, it's not a correct logic to compare the two in my opinion.