Amir Khan.

[Cas]

Can he really change?

I read people say Khan should leave Roach due his fundamental flaws and errors. Whilst Roach probably isn't the man to fix these kind of 'flaws', would leaving him be a benefit to him? I think Steward could maybe do a job with Khan defensively and teach him to box more smarty, maximize his attributes. Steward has done marvelous things with Wlad and he suffered the same kind of losses..

Having said this, I get the feeling everytime Khan is hurt, or on wobbly legs, he will always fight back instead of buying time by holding or covering up. It's in his DNA to fight back when hurt, he doesn't think in there and no trainer is going to change that IMO. When your brains are scrambled everyone reacts differently to the situation. His instinct is to usually run or trade leather which is a big no, no.

Now the difference with between Khan and Wlad is quite obvious.. Wlad - He is an intelligent boxer, and has all the physical advantages over opponents. Wlad is the most smartest boxers in recent times and he is extremely disciplined. He knows his chin is suspect, he's honest with himself.

Now Khan doesn't come across as intelligent or disciplined enough for me. He will disregard advice and do what told not to do. He believes he can walk through these shots when hurt. I wouldn't say his chin is a disgrace like some claim, the heavy artillery Khan is absorbing is scary. I can't remember how many left hooks Garcia was landing in the 4th at will.

So can he really change? Or is he always going to be suspect to 'one' shot away'.

[andeeholden]

On a whole, I agree...

I personally think that Khan is intent on proving a point that he doesn't have a suspect chin. Against Peterson and Garcia he goaded his opponent on after he'd been rocked instead of clinching and stopping the momentum. A change of trainer may do him good but Khan has also hinted at wanting to return to England...could Booth or Gallagher offer him anything or would he rather stick to a trainer with a higher profile?

It's certainly not the end for Amir, he'll bounce back sure as hell....but he could do with one or two 'easier' fights to get some of his confidence back

[loaded_gloves]

Unless someone can transplant their brain into Amir's body, he will always be the same fighter - great when nothing's coming back, a ticking timebomb when his opponent reads him and makes the necessary adjustments.

[iamasadlittleboy]

I think if someone can help him defend against left hooks he'll be a much better fighter. Gomez, Prescott and Garcia all did him with left hooks.

[sharpei_louis]

I know calls for retirement sound a bit premature, but at the end of the day Khan now only wants to be fighting at elite level for the career he's had... Not saying he deserves to be there as I think his resume was padded and well picked, but now that he's there headlining in Vegas he doesn't want to come back to British or European level.

With all the defensive training in the world I can't see how he can cut out any kind of path at a decent level hoping never to take a heavy shot again from any sort of puncher. His chin will always let him down. I've been a critic of Khan and hope this doesn't sound like hate, cause it isn't. I just don't know any world level operator who has been blown away so convincingly by two guys like Garcia and Prescott. OK Hatton was annihilated when he ran into Pacquiao, but he then retired, and I know Garcia is an unknown quantity but it doesn't bode well for Khan. You can't fight a career on the foundations of literally never taking a shot.

[freddydoesdallas]

I know calls for retirement sound a bit premature, but at the end of the day Khan now only wants to be fighting at elite level for the career he's had... Not saying he deserves to be there as I think his resume was padded and well picked, but now that he's there headlining in Vegas he doesn't want to come back to British or European level.

With all the defensive training in the world I can't see how he can cut out any kind of path at a decent level hoping never to take a heavy shot again from any sort of puncher. His chin will always let him down. I've been a critic of Khan and hope this doesn't sound like hate, cause it isn't. I just don't know any world level operator who has been blown away so convincingly by two guys like Garcia and Prescott. OK Hatton was annihilated when he ran into Pacquiao, but he then retired, and I know Garcia is an unknown quantity but it doesn't bode well for Khan. You can't fight a career on the foundations of literally never taking a shot.

Good post. It's getting to the point with me where I don't want to post on Khan topics. His flaws are there for all to see yet too often as soon as you talk about them, you're dismissed as someone with a grudge.

Khan & Harrison (and DeGale up to the Groves fight) should be used as examples to promoters of the next bunch of Olympians that being matched easy isn't the best path for them. Fighters at the top punch back!

[yiddo14]

I don't think he can make the adjustments he needs to for the reasons you have covered.

Not an intelligent chap, in and certainly outside the ring.

Shame because I would love to see him come back and prove us all wrong. He is a fighter, got a lot of bottle.

Is it just me or has his speech got a little bit worse? He has never been the best talker, fumbles his words etc and doesn't really get across what he means all the time but it seems to be getting a tad worse to me. Maybe I'm imagining it.

[banjo]

Can he change? No, the mistakes that Khan makes are basic boxing, things that should have been ironed out back in the amateurs and if he's still at it as a 7 year pro and several different trainers I can't see it being any different in another 7 years.

Khan has found his level, he's a good boxer who will continue to beat good opposition but he'll never be an "elite" fighter as they say.

[ryan917]

Khan needs to stop fighting like he has a chip on his shoulder.

[banjo]

One other thing Khan can benefit from is to drop his hangers on, that fornicating Saj or whatever his name is, have you seen his Twitter account? Calling people out, flinging the term 'kaffir' around(which is a derogatory term by the way) and generally being a rude bastard.

No wonder Khan isn't popular when he's got gofers like that working his PR.