Paul McCloskey Vs Amir Khan

[Crease]

He is 32 in the summer, Crease so he needs to step up asap.

No he doesn't, Paul could probably have another 18-20 months in boxing... If he takes the Kahn fight he will lose his unbeaten record and he could be stripped for refusing to defend his European title. If these do happen, he will go back to being a run-of-the-mill fighter.

He should beat the Italian in March and give Lauri then rematch...THEN look at a world title shot.

Waiting for someone to leave the division is not the way to do it as he may never get a shot.

McCloskey will get a world title shot if he is the reigning European champion with an undefeated record. There's not many boxers can claim to be a continent champion with a perfect record.

[magnus]

He is 32 in the summer, Crease so he needs to step up asap.

No he doesn't, Paul could probably have another 18-20 months in boxing... If he takes the Kahn fight he will lose his unbeaten record and he could be stripped for refusing to defend his European title. If these do happen, he will go back to being a run-of-the-mill fighter.

He should beat the Italian in March and give Lauri then rematch...THEN look at a world title shot.

Waiting for someone to leave the division is not the way to do it as he may never get a shot.

McCloskey will get a world title shot if he is the reigning European champion with an undefeated record. There's not many boxers can claim to be a continent champion with a perfect record.

He might have to wait some time for another shot to fall into his lap though. Surely a fight against Khan is a huge opportunity to make a name for himself. Lose, and his profile would be much higher than before. Win, and he becomes a huge star overnight.

[Crease]

Surely a fight against Khan is a huge opportunity to make a name for himself.

McCloskey doesn't need to make a name for himself, as I said before he is theEuropean Champion and he's perfectly positioned to make the move for a world title shot. McCloskey does not need to raise his media profile, the spotlight and the pressure of it has trudged down a lot of boxers in the past.

Now, I am not saying that Paul couldn't cope with tv coverage or coming into the mainstream... But it's a pressure that he just doesn't need at the moment.

Lose, and his profile would be much higher than before. Win, and he becomes a huge star overnight.

Lets not kid ourselves here, Paul can't beat Kahn... Kahn survived against Maidana who's a power puncher, and Kahn is sharpewr and quicker than Paul.

McCloskey would lose this fight, his unbeaten record and his European title... It's a bad, bad move. And John Breen should try and steer McCloskey away from this. Seriously, it's bad news.

[Deno1986]

He is 32 in the summer, Crease so he needs to step up asap.

No he doesn't, Paul could probably have another 18-20 months in boxing... If he takes the Kahn fight he will lose his unbeaten record and he could be stripped for refusing to defend his European title. If these do happen, he will go back to being a run-of-the-mill fighter.

He should beat the Italian in March and give Lauri then rematch...THEN look at a world title shot.

Waiting for someone to leave the division is not the way to do it as he may never get a shot.

McCloskey will get a world title shot if he is the reigning European champion with an undefeated record. There's not many boxers can claim to be a continent champion with a perfect record.

Boxing isn't about unbeaten records! They are what destroy the sport. McCloskey could struggle to get another World Title shot if this one doesn't come off because he isn't high profile and as SBW said fighting Khan will raise his profile and will open the door to other shots. The European doesn't hold that much value any more in my opinion. What if he slips up against one of the Italians - straight back to square one. McCloskey has reached his peak, why wait another 12-18 months when his peak on the downslope.

[Kit]

If Khan is just having a homecoming marking time fight, which McCloskey is.
Then surely now is the perfect time to to put the record straight and took on Prescott.
At least we know he has a punchers chance and will be exciting while it lasts.
What I also find interesting is Prescott the only man I remember Khan taking on who is the taller man and similar reach and physical attributes, don't forget it was just a straight Jab that originally stunned Khan.
Don't get me wrong I fully expect Khan to win and by stoppage; but would Lennox's CV be as good without beating every man he faced?

[Crease]

fighting Khan will raise his profile and will open the door to other shots.

We are going to have to disagree on this one mo chara. I believe that losing to Kahn would lower McCloskey's ranking and he could spend the remainder of his career trying to chase his former rankling.

McCloskey reached his peak, why wait another 12-18 months when his peak on the downslope.

Listen lad, we both want to see Paul do well, but a fight against Kahn would result in a loss. I just think it would better serve him to continue his European title reign.
A vacated world title will open up soon after Kahn unifys the division and moves up to Welterweight.

I guess we just think it's better to go about things differently.

[Deno1986]

If Khan is just having a homecoming marking time fight, which McCloskey is.
Then surely now is the perfect time to to put the record straight and took on Prescott.
At least we know he has a punchers chance and will be exciting while it lasts.
What I also find interesting is Prescott the only man I remember Khan taking on who is the taller man and similar reach and physical attributes, don't forget it was just a straight Jab that originally stunned Khan.
Don't get me wrong I fully expect Khan to win and by stoppage; but would Lennox's CV be as good without beating every man he faced?

Personally, I think Khan answered all the questions that were raised from the Prescott fight when he bet a bigger puncher in Maidana and took the big shots from the Argentinian. Prescott and Khan have moved complete opposite directions since they both met the first time. Khan has improved ten-fold and Prescott has probably been exposed to what he really is - a one hit wonder.

[Crease]

Personally, I think Khan answered all the questions that were raised from the Prescott fight when he bet a bigger puncher in Maidana and took the big shots from the Argentinian.

He has, there is no doubt about it. And I dare anybody to say that McCloskey has the tools to beat Kahn.

[magnus]

Surely a fight against Khan is a huge opportunity to make a name for himself.

McCloskey doesn't need to make a name for himself, as I said before he is theEuropean Champion and he's perfectly positioned to make the move for a world title shot. McCloskey does not need to raise his media profile, the spotlight and the pressure of it has trudged down a lot of boxers in the past.

Now, I am not saying that Paul couldn't cope with tv coverage or coming into the mainstream... But it's a pressure that he just doesn't need at the moment.

Lose, and his profile would be much higher than before. Win, and he becomes a huge star overnight.

Lets not kid ourselves here, Paul can't beat Kahn... Kahn survived against Maidana who's a power puncher, and Kahn is sharpewr and quicker than Paul.

McCloskey would lose this fight, his unbeaten record and his European title... It's a bad, bad move. And John Breen should try and steer McCloskey away from this. Seriously, it's bad news.

Fair enough, I don't think he'd win either, but surely it's worth aiming for the stars once in a while. That's why I admire Chisora taking the Klit fight. Nights like those don't come around often in a fighters career.

[Kit]

If Khan is just having a homecoming marking time fight, which McCloskey is.
Then surely now is the perfect time to to put the record straight and took on Prescott.
At least we know he has a punchers chance and will be exciting while it lasts.
What I also find interesting is Prescott the only man I remember Khan taking on who is the taller man and similar reach and physical attributes, don't forget it was just a straight Jab that originally stunned Khan.
Don't get me wrong I fully expect Khan to win and by stoppage; but would Lennox's CV be as good without beating every man he faced?

Personally, I think Khan answered all the questions that were raised from the Prescott fight when he bet a bigger puncher in Maidana and took the big shots from the Argentinian. Prescott and Khan have moved complete opposite directions since they both met the first time. Khan has improved ten-fold and Prescott has probably been exposed to what he really is - a one hit wonder.

Agree they have moved in different directions but surely a defeat of that crushing a nature needs to be avenged.

[Dioufy]

It's a Friday Fight Night event. I like McCloskey, but he stands no chance against Khan. I bet the odds on this fight are about 20/1-on for a Khan win.

[Scottrf]

It's a Friday Fight Night event. I like McCloskey, but he stands no chance against Khan. I bet the odds on this fight are about 20/1-on for a Khan win.

It's a very rare fight where odds go above 10/1, I'd be shocked to see 20/1.

[Dioufy]

It's a Friday Fight Night event. I like McCloskey, but he stands no chance against Khan. I bet the odds on this fight are about 20/1-on for a Khan win.

It's a very rare fight where odds go above 10/1, I'd be shocked to see 20/1.

I don't think it's a rare event to see odds that wide in fights. Although Khan was 20/1-on to beat Prescott and....

[Scottrf]

I bet it's single figure % where title fights go above 10/1 odds. This isn't going to be 20/1.

[stujones]

If it happens, its an acceptable fight - just. Don't think McCloskey is much worst than Peterson. He is a EBU champion and should be on the fringes of the top ten in the devision independently.

[Dioufy]

McCloskey brings nowt to the table to beat Khan. Speed? It's ok, nothing Khan hasn't seen before. Power? I have yet to see it. Angles? It's McCloskey's best tool, but Khan will cope. Chin? Maybe it's decent but I remember him a little hurt by Lynes. Experience? Nope. McCloskey is decent, but Khan should take him apart.

[Scottrf]

McCloskey brings nowt to the table to beat Khan. Speed? It's ok, nothing Khan hasn't seen before. Power? I have yet to see it. Angles? It's McCloskey's best too, but Khan will cope. Chin? Maybe it's decent but I remember him a little hurt by Lynes. Experience? Nope. McCloskey is decent, but Khan should take him apart.

He's not Maidana but he had a sensational KO last year. But yes, Khan should take him apart. He's more of a challenge stylistically than quite a few in the division though.

[Dioufy]

McCloskey brings nowt to the table to beat Khan. Speed? It's ok, nothing Khan hasn't seen before. Power? I have yet to see it. Angles? It's McCloskey's best too, but Khan will cope. Chin? Maybe it's decent but I remember him a little hurt by Lynes. Experience? Nope. McCloskey is decent, but Khan should take him apart.

He's not Maidana but he had a sensational KO last year. But yes, Khan should take him apart. He's more of a challenge stylistically than quite a few in the division though.

I didn't see that KO - do you have a link to it, matey?

[Scottrf]

Can't right now, but unless I'm mistaken it was on Sky's Knockouts of the Year. Was the Lauri fight if you want to search for it.

[yiddo14]

I would gladly give anyone 20-1 if they wanted it!

Khan wins easily.

[stujones]

McCloskey brings nowt to the table to beat Khan. Speed? It's ok, nothing Khan hasn't seen before. Power? I have yet to see it. Angles? It's McCloskey's best tool, but Khan will cope. Chin? Maybe it's decent but I remember him a little hurt by Lynes. Experience? Nope. McCloskey is decent, but Khan should take him apart.

Completely agree, but Khan is getting to the stage (such a turn around) that you have to ask who can at 140 - defending champs aside.

Judah we've mentioned, and I agree a more meaningful fight and Judah brings more speed and power than McCloskey - definately a better fight that one, and a lot bigger.

Peterson? Does he really bring that much more than McCloskey?

Ortiz - yeap, I'll give you him - a real power puncher, but thats not for a British based defence.

[Captain Hook]

He is 32 in the summer, Crease so he needs to step up asap.

No he doesn't, Paul could probably have another 18-20 months in boxing... If he takes the Kahn fight he will lose his unbeaten record and he could be stripped for refusing to defend his European title. If these do happen, he will go back to being a run-of-the-mill fighter.

He should beat the Italian in March and give Lauri then rematch...THEN look at a world title shot.

Waiting for someone to leave the division is not the way to do it as he may never get a shot.

McCloskey will get a world title shot if he is the reigning European champion with an undefeated record. There's not many boxers can claim to be a continent champion with a perfect record.

Boxing isn't about unbeaten records! They are what destroy the sport. McCloskey could struggle to get another World Title shot if this one doesn't come off because he isn't high profile and as SBW said fighting Khan will raise his profile and will open the door to other shots. The European doesn't hold that much value any more in my opinion. What if he slips up against one of the Italians - straight back to square one. McCloskey has reached his peak, why wait another 12-18 months when his peak on the downslope.

x 2, and he does need to make a name for himself because virtually nobody knows who he is!

There's no way he could pass up this opportunity.

If you don't think he needs to step up at 32 years old I'm a little shocked....

[Crease]

There's no way he could pass up this opportunity.

Yes he can... Tofight for a world title at a later date, against anopponent that he stands a better chance of beating.

If you don't think he needs to step up at 32 years old I'm a little shocked.

He has achieved and done well. It's not like he is an amateur.

[Captain Hook]

Who would you like him to step up and fight at a later date? When he's 34, 35?!

He's not like a Calzaghe who had an unbeaten record to protect as a world champion making millions per fight, he's an unknown boxer who has the opportunity to raise his profile and win a world title. Isn't fighting the best what it's supposed to be about?

He's 32, his peak is now....

He could make money and gain more kudos on the back of a Khan defeat than he would the way he's going now.

But that isn't the point, the point is he has an opportunity to fight a genuine world champion in the UK and beat him for the title. No matter what we think he has to believe he can beat Amir Khan, otherwise he may as well pack up now.

I think, personally, he'll be competitive in losing.....

[Scottrf]

Some boxers go their whole career without a title shot. You can't turn it down when it comes along unless perhaps you are a promising novice, which he is not.

Forget the 0 obsession. He gains more by losing than avoiding the fight.