Yeah I doubt somehow the bloke would go to the trouble of having custom made shorts with the words Mum & Dad lovingly embroided on, for his big night in front of millions, with the intention of taking a dive.
I thought i saw a little improvement. Khan seemed to be a little less jumpy early and boxing in a style that he could maintain for the distance if he had to.
Only for about a minute though obviously.
I don't think Frank should risk his golden goose with a puncher necessarily. He should match him with a couple of solid Light Welter types. Sort of like Baldomir to Gatti. Opponents who don't have KO power but are bigger and stronger and will need to be outboxed carefully and conservatively.
I'll forgive him this one as it was a home fight and you'd have thought that Barrett should have at least had the physical tools to make Amir look bad.
states wrote:Khan is in a tricky position now: too young to fight for the British title, but probably too good for most of the contenders for that title (no matter what you think of him)
So, in an ideal world, pick an opponent for him: I'd like see him against Dean Phillips or Alan Bosworth next. Neither of them world beaters, but both guys who come to fight, and won't just fold. Also guys who aren't naturally about 10lb's smaller. If Khan can blow either of them away, then maybe he is a bit special.
I think Dean Phillips was on here a while back saying he wouldn't take a fight with Khan but now Khan's moving upto eight rounds who knows. Phillips would be a really good test or Steffy Bull. I know Bull is a southpaw not sure on Phillips, but gaining experience fighting against southpaws this early in your career can be invaluable later on. Those are both English title level aswell (and legitimate lightweights!) so if Khan could dispose of them in good fashion maybe the the BBBofC would get rid of that stupid rule. If you're good enough you're old enough!
Barrett just didn't look big enough although he was tall as somebody mentioned. I've had a look at his record and he's never fought at 130 but I could have sworn he was a super-feather. No muscle definition at all and you always knew he would be outgunned and eventually overwhelmed. One of Khans right hands that put him down seemed to travel all of about 7 inches!
Just to clear something up here - I have never said that I would refuse a fight with Amir Khan. I have always maintained that I would accept this fight.
