stujones wrote:Think some are being a tad unfair here.... Okay, Khan has spoken of his ambitions - but it no-one really had a bad word to say when Lawton challenged for the British title vs Thaxton.
Thaxton needs to get a move one if he is too fight for a world title (which he still says he wants to do). Khan is still learning. No-one had a problem for a fully matured, experienced, hard hitting champion with a proven chin facing Lawton with a more prestigious belt on the line. But for a not fully matured, inexperienced, hard hitting champion with an unproven chin facing Lawton with a less prestigious belt - it is a joke.
I personally don't/didn't have a problem with Lawton facing either fighter for either belt... He's alright.
But its because Thaxton's chin has been proven its less of a problem, there are a certain kind of fighter who are glairingly absent from Amir's record and thats bad for his development. To be clear Im not criticisin Khan but whoever is choosing the opponents. I want Khan to learn from different kinds of opponents who have different qualities. Someone who hits hard needs to be part of that.
Also I think the undercards not great for a nationaly telivised fight.
All very well, but I think the last fight showed he hasn't learned to deal with a decent boxer yet.... not properly anyway.
Khan might deal with a heavy (i.e. slower) handed but heavier puncher with greater ease than he does a quick handed boxer. He hasn't learned to deal with a quick handed decent boxer yet - let him get them out of the way first. Fair enough criticise if he continues to fight the Lawton's of the world... but Lawton is only his 3rd at best decent, not world class, but domestic class, opponent.
stujones wrote:Think some are being a tad unfair here.... Okay, Khan has spoken of his ambitions - but it no-one really had a bad word to say when Lawton challenged for the British title vs Thaxton.
Thaxton needs to get a move one if he is too fight for a world title (which he still says he wants to do). Khan is still learning. No-one had a problem for a fully matured, experienced, hard hitting champion with a proven chin facing Lawton with a more prestigious belt on the line. But for a not fully matured, inexperienced, hard hitting champion with an unproven chin facing Lawton with a less prestigious belt - it is a joke.
I personally don't/didn't have a problem with Lawton facing either fighter for either belt... He's alright.
Good post Stu. Whatever the ambitions / hopes that surround Khan, right now he is 13-0 and Commonwealth champion.
It seems some just want to see Khan matched with a puncher asap so they can start rubbing their hands together.
I really hope Thaxton v Khan is made before long though, it would be one of the most anticipated domestic showdowns in recent years I'm sure.
Sorry I am confused, paragraph 3 contradicts paragraph 2 - In two you are stating its wrong for people to want Khan matched with a puncher too early and then get joy from seeing him thrashed - Then in three you want to see him matched against Jon Thaxton who is a puncher and would give Khan a thrashing - That just doesnt make sense - Lawton is a good choice after the tough one Khan had with Limond - Limond was a far bigger risk than most thought he would be -The next opponent needs to be a little better but certainly not Thaxton and I dont think FW would even consider matching them at the moment - Its still early days and this is only his 14th fight - Fighters with a KO record are not good for Khan at the moment, especially in view of what happened last time against a light puncher - By the time he gets to 20 fights its another matter - If Khan wants a world title he is going to have to face hard hitting class fighters and chance it - His lack of defense and his dodgy chin, for me, rule him out of getting to the top - I dont think FW will give him anyone too difficult for a while yet - Khan is a bit too confident and if he had been able to pick opponents himself he would already have losses on his record - FW knows that and will give him better fights when he can handle them - Khan has been a great boost to the sport so I hope he does well but time will tell if he can succeed at world class level.
A seasoned boxer will more likely be able to hit Khan than a puncher can anyway unless they can box too hence why fighting Thaxton eventually will be good for him. Willie showed Khan needs head movement and seasoning.
If I am correct most people here thing Thaxton would beat Khan at this moment in time. So why is Lawton good enough for Thaxton but not good enough for Khan - if Thaxton is better than Khan? Dont get me wrong I am no means a huge Khan fan - in fact I'm constantly arguing with Muslims round my area(especially girls) who no nothing about boxing yet assure me he will be world champ "well soon innit" but come on he deserves a bit of slack - by all accounts Lawton gave Thaxton at least a few problems to solve(though admiitedly I didnt see the fight) so I reckon this is a decent test for Khan at this stage in his career.
My and my m8s were pissing our sides after Amir's last postfight interview - he said "u kno wha a mean" about 30 times!
By the way Josh I agree he should fight for the British before his next seven fights - I thnk it will interesting to see if Khan can do a better job on Lawton than Thaxton
josh fg wrote:so you don't want him to step up to british title level for 7 fights? People realy will get miffed watching that.
I dont think he will be ready for a world title challenge until he has about 19/20 fights behind him - Thaxton I believe would be too much for him right now and maybe he should be avoided altogether - Khan still needs a bit of protection and fights to learn from, but once he gets to say18 fights and beyond it will be time to prove if he is good enough to fight world level fighters - Ok people may get miffed but boxing on ITV centres around Amir Khan and he absolutely has to win - Hopefully after a few more fights he will have improved his defense and developed better head movement - He doesnt seem to have a good chin so improving those skills is essential - I therefore think sometime during 2009 is the earliest he could go for a world title.
