Earl v Khan Dec 8th

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 15 Oct 2007, 13:37

To be honest I hope Khan doesnt fight Earl - Graham will KO him and that will be that for boxing on ITV - Mitchell isnt a big attraction and neither are our heavies - As long as he stays undefeated Khan will get the viewers for ITV and the others are OK for the undercard - I cant understand why people want to see him beaten - If it wasnt for Khan we wouldnt have boxing on ITV, like him or not, he has and is doing a good job for British boxing.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 15 Oct 2007, 14:09

I don't think Khan will be put in with Earl if he is unlikely to win, if he does fight and win against Earl it'll answer my questions as to weather he is able to cut it at a decent level.

Prepair to hear ITV refer to him as former world champion Graham Earl!

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:00

I don't think Earl is a step too far. Earl has fallen short of world class and if Khan has world class ambitions he should be beating the Earl's of the world at this stage. It will answer a lot of questions IMO. While Earl may have seen better days he will still be by far the stiffest test of Khan's career to date.

Is it happening though? It looked like the deal was done when Warren announced after Khan beat Lawton that the next opponent would be 'announced on Thursday'. That was last week and still no word.

Perhaps they're looking elsewhere?

sweetscience · Post by **sweetscience** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:32

he said announced on thursday and another title might be on the line

chesh · Post by **chesh** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:39

IMO, Khan won't be put in a risky fight until he's had 20+ fights. Limond wasn't supposed to be risky, but look what happened. You can see a conflict developing between Khan's ambitions and the promoter's plans. I think the sensible course would be somewhere inbetween. The Lawton type fights are serving no purpose other than to keep the ITV contract up and running. He could - and probably does - get better sparring than that. On the other hand, if he went anywhere near a genuine world top 10er at the moment, he'd be decapitated. A bit of a dilemma for all concerned.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:40

sweetscience wrote:he said announced on thursday and another title might be on the line

That made me think Thaxton at the time. But seeing Earl at ringside I thought they might go that way. Let's hope they sort it out soon.

sweetscience · Post by **sweetscience** » 15 Oct 2007, 15:45

all thats left in the UK is thaxton & earl who will give him a decent fight

other than that they are going to have to go abroad

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 15 Oct 2007, 16:05

I'm sure there are some dodgy African featherweights they could drag out of the woodwork for the Commonwealth title if required.

SticknMove · Post by **SticknMove** » 15 Oct 2007, 16:18

chesh wrote:IMO, Khan won't be put in a risky fight until he's had 20+ fights. Limond wasn't supposed to be risky, but look what happened. You can see a conflict developing between Khan's ambitions and the promoter's plans. I think the sensible course would be somewhere inbetween. The Lawton type fights are serving no purpose other than to keep the ITV contract up and running. He could - and probably does - get better sparring than that. On the other hand, if he went anywhere near a genuine world top 10er at the moment, he'd be decapitated. A bit of a dilemma for all concerned.

You may well be right.

As you say Khan walking through fighters like Lawton is doing him no favours or teaching him anything. What he needs is rounds against fighters that can offer more resistance whilst keeping him honest. Maybe then Khan will settle into trying to hold his feet more at range working his openings and following up with his trademark quick combos.

Right now he is forcing fights too much and this is very risky against any fighter with a decent dig given the question marks about his chin.

I thought that Earl would be a good next opponent for Khan (that isn’t without its risks) as I think he has seen better days, is not particularly quick, but is tough and strong. But thinking about it, even this may be a step too soon for him at this stage, given that I do not think he will be ready for a world title fight for at least another 10 fights.

Perhaps it would be better for him to fight some tough foreign imports with patchy records for the next couple of fights and take a look at Earl or Thaxton late next year.

Horse · Post by **Horse** » 15 Oct 2007, 17:13

sweetscience wrote:all thats left in the UK is thaxton & earl who will give him a decent fight

other than that they are going to have to go abroad

Limond, Meager, Murray, Stewart and Fewkes would probably give Khan a decent fight as well.

rod riddle · Post by **rod riddle** » 15 Oct 2007, 18:05

Khan can beat Earl now. It's a good fight for him to take. Katsidis will have taken a lot out of Earl.

As for Thaxton - if Dave Stewart can land the long punches and hurt him so early on, Khan will twat him by mid rounds. Khan will look like a very fast light middle in there with Thaxton. I think all the 'dodgy chin' stuff is getting blown out of all proportion. Khan is 20 (?) and while I find all the 'next Ali' shite embarrassing and the self righteous propaganda coming out of the camp is utter crap, he has a big future.

I think Khan can may scoop World honours early and fall to bits a la NAz. That's when the limitations may be exposed. Earl and Thaxton are last generation - Meager, Fewkes, etc. are far more demanding at this stage, but we won't see those fights on ITV will we?

sweetscience · Post by **sweetscience** » 15 Oct 2007, 18:05

Horse wrote:
sweetscience wrote:all thats left in the UK is thaxton & earl who will give him a decent fight

other than that they are going to have to go abroad
Limond, Meager, Murray, Stewart and Fewkes would probably give Khan a decent fight as well.

the critics on here would have a field day with that lot

scott lawton all over again

althou i wouldnt mind seeing Khan v Limmond II

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 15 Oct 2007, 18:23

In some ways its very good he is fighting british fighters because people are sceptical of KOing imports (post audley I guess).

I'm not sure why we are all assuming Khan is unable to fight Earl the main problem is we havent seen the level of his development. He could resonably fight ranked European fighters aswell and say he is trying to get an European title.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 15 Oct 2007, 18:27

I met Graham at the Belfast show in Saturday night, a thoroughly nice fella. Sounded like the Khan fight wasn't cut and dried unless he was being coy, also said Romanov was tougher than Katsidis. Katsidis caught him and he couldn't recover.

Exoddus · Post by **Exoddus** » 15 Oct 2007, 18:29

Khan and FW are stuck in a hole. Khan will never be a world champion let alone British Champion. FW wants to make as much money from Khan's name as possible before it's all ended.

The public demanded a step up in class for Khan. So FW picked the smallest risk of a step up he could find in the British scene. FW had to pick a guy which the public and the boxing critics wouldn't moan to much about. A genuine step up, someone who had at least a little bit of respect in the boxing world. Of Course the man for the job was Limond. A none punching super featherweight. FW does know that Khan sucks but he didn't expect his money machine to lose already. Khan was one punch away from being KO'ed by a guy who doesn't have a punch!. Khan was down for 13 seconds in the fight.

After the scare. FW has got Khan back to fighting bums again. I can't see FW putting Khan into the ring with Earl. Earl will beat Khan. I can't see this fight happening.

FW will be looking for some foreign guy who has an ok KO ratio but at super featherweight.

He's going to let Khan step up in class each fight but as slow and little as possible. (Maybe he will go back to fighting bum super featherweights again) I can't see him fighting Thaxton for at least another 15 fights. Or until he gets booed every time Khan fights.

These are the facts about Khan.

Nearly KOed by a none punching super featherweight
Never fought a half decent lightweight (Limond equilant in super featherweight)
Never fought a guy who can bang
Never fought a guy who can bang at super featherweight let alone lightweight.
I personally think Khan's punching power is over rated

I've heard all this "but Khans only 20. He's only had 13 fights" Look at Juan Diaz he's only 4 years older than Khan. Where will Khan be in 4 years time? Celebrity Big Brother is where Khan will be. A silver medalist who is a lightweight shouldn't be any where close to being knocked out by a none punching super featherweight.

rod riddle · Post by **rod riddle** » 15 Oct 2007, 18:49

There's a margin between 'nearly knocked out' and actually 'knocked out'.

If you can tell me where Juan Diaz will be in 4 years time then I'd like to payroll you as a personal astrologer and financial confidante

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 15 Oct 2007, 19:04

Exoddus wrote:Khan and FW are stuck in a hole. Khan will never be a world champion let alone British Champion. FW wants to make as much money from Khan's name as possible before it's all ended.

The public demanded a step up in class for Khan. So FW picked the smallest risk of a step up he could find in the British scene. FW had to pick a guy which the public and the boxing critics wouldn't moan to much about. A genuine step up, someone who had at least a little bit of respect in the boxing world. Of Course the man for the job was Limond. A none punching super featherweight. FW does know that Khan sucks but he didn't expect his money machine to lose already. Khan was one punch away from being KO'ed by a guy who doesn't have a punch!. Khan was down for 13 seconds in the fight.

After the scare. FW has got Khan back to fighting bums again. I can't see FW putting Khan into the ring with Earl. Earl will beat Khan. I can't see this fight happening.

FW will be looking for some foreign guy who has an ok KO ratio but at super featherweight.

He's going to let Khan step up in class each fight but as slow and little as possible. (Maybe he will go back to fighting bum super featherweights again) I can't see him fighting Thaxton for at least another 15 fights. Or until he gets booed every time Khan fights.

These are the facts about Khan.

Nearly KOed by a none punching super featherweight
Never fought a half decent lightweight (Limond equilant in super featherweight)
Never fought a guy who can bang
Never fought a guy who can bang at super featherweight let alone lightweight.
I personally think Khan's punching power is over rated

I've heard all this "but Khans only 20. He's only had 13 fights" Look at Juan Diaz he's only 4 years older than Khan. Where will Khan be in 4 years time? Celebrity Big Brother is where Khan will be. A silver medalist who is a lightweight shouldn't be any where close to being knocked out by a none punching super featherweight.

I aggree that he hasn't fought anyone with a punch however I think your vitriol goes over the top. He has looked resonably good in his fights. I think he has a good chance of winning a british title at least if he sorts out his deffence. Is everything you say hear wrong if he fights Earl next

SticknMove · Post by **SticknMove** » 16 Oct 2007, 02:04

IMO khan would beat Earl right now but it would be tough for him and he may have to come through a few sticky moments. The step from beating his previous opponents and having Earl's name on the resume would move him further on than he needs to be right now. He has only been a pro for a couple of years for christsakes and is still only 20.

His learning experience should be gradual and take in more rounds against unheralded tough fighters with a view of getting him a world title fight in a couple of years time and not within 4 or 5 fights.

The whole of the PR/SN/ITV business could be the undoing of this kid if patience isn't exercised.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 16 Oct 2007, 03:36

SticknMove wrote:IMO khan would beat Earl right now but it would be tough for him and he may have to come through a few sticky moments.

Wins with a few sticky moments are what the lad needs desperately. Steamrolling the likes of Lawton is teaching him nothing but bad habits IMO.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 16 Oct 2007, 08:47

SticknMove wrote:IMO khan would beat Earl right now but it would be tough for him and he may have to come through a few sticky moments. The step from beating his previous opponents and having Earl's name on the resume would move him further on than he needs to be right now. He has only been a pro for a couple of years for christsakes and is still only 20.

His learning experience should be gradual and take in more rounds against unheralded tough fighters with a view of getting him a world title fight in a couple of years time and not within 4 or 5 fights.

The whole of the PR/SN/ITV business could be the undoing of this kid if patience isn't exercised.

I don't think fighters are helped by being constently under matched against there opponents. Furtermore I think there would be less of a clamer to see him tested if he wasn't talking about THaxton being a 5 round fighter.

As is rightly pointed out above he needs sticky moments because that helps him learn. As long as todays court case goes okay.

Datsue · Post by **Datsue** » 16 Oct 2007, 09:30

I am fully expecting a hailstorm of abuse for this, but:-

Khan against Earl would be the wrong type of fight for Amir. Too too hard. He's only been in with two guys who hit him back & one of them nearly decapitated him. Earl hits too hard & cannot take a punch well enough to improve Khan at this stage.

Fwankie needs to find someone that can take him twelve, that he has to *think* about fighting, instead of a guy like Earl who will probably be overwhelmed but will hurt him badly in doing so.

Dog-fights are not what the lad needs. Reasonably competitive distance fights are. IMO he knows feck all -- dog-fighting will make great TV but will see him end up like David Reid.

SticknMove · Post by **SticknMove** » 16 Oct 2007, 10:30

What I'm saying is that Khan needs more rounds against unheralded but tough opponents. Fighting Limond/Lawton then Earl is not a gradual step up. It is more of a jump than is needed for a 14 fight novice that has only been a pro for just over 2 years. Of course he doesn’t need fights where he walks through the opposition. I already stated that in a previous post. He’ll learn nothing from them.

Although I think Khan may well beat Earl, I wouldn’t put money on it therefore the fight is too risky for him at this stage in his career. Under matching prospects has been a feature of boxing as long as I can remember. No promoter or manager is going to throw their prospect in a 50/50 when they haven’t completed some sort of learning curve or until a major title is on the line. Earl just lost to Katsidis, who is probably ready and in line for a crack at a world title right now. Khan will not be ready for another couple of years IMO.

I would match him with some tough imports that will take him into later rounds, and who will throw something back, for the next few fights. Let the learning process be gradual and take a look at Earl/Thaxton later next year. I would also tell him to keep his mouth shut and concentrate on learning his trade.

Coffee Aroma · Post by **Coffee Aroma** » 16 Oct 2007, 13:34

WildWaylon wrote:To be honest I hope Khan doesnt fight Earl - Graham will KO him and that will be that for boxing on ITV - Mitchell isnt a big attraction and neither are our heavies - As long as he stays undefeated Khan will get the viewers for ITV and the others are OK for the undercard - I cant understand why people want to see him beaten - If it wasnt for Khan we wouldnt have boxing on ITV, like him or not, he has and is doing a good job for British boxing.

What!.....

.....Under-cards? ITV only show Khans mismatches complete with inane, nauseating commentary and endless commercial breaks

If i want to watch ridiculously mismatched boxing with a predictable ending there's always the Rocky movies

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 17 Oct 2007, 08:37

Warren seems to be stalling over this Dec 8th match, I'm sure he doesn't really want it that soon - Earl could easily upset the applecart.

But I reckon Khan's people are pushing for this type of fight, as they no doubt see him as the second coming of Sugar Ray. Could be in for a shock.

sweetscience · Post by **sweetscience** » 17 Oct 2007, 08:59

who says its warren stalling ???????