Roach on Khan: Morales should be next

[kevin mac]

He's got to beat Kotelnik first, and that's by no means a foregone conclusion in my book.

1 fight at a time

[Datsue]

I have but one thing to say:



Yes, that is Erik Morales, Jennifer. & yes, he has eaten all the burritos in Tijuana (in fact, I'd lay good money on Erik having actually eaten all of Tijuana).

[Bard of Boxrec]

Does anyone on here have any clue about whats needed to develop young boxers? Young boxers need bringing along steadily with increasingly difficult challenges not simply throwing them in the deep end. They need profile building fights that may or may not be against the best of the best. Morales and Barrera are well past prime and much smaller but they are still top10 type fighters with world class skills. They are hand picked and picked because they are declined and smaller but they still have that skill that will upset a fighter who doesn't belong in the top10

Now Morales and MAB are still big names and will bring Khan to American/international attention, far more so than a John Murray fight would and both are actually probably harder fights. Morales deserved the decision over Diaz for the WBC LW title a while ago, would Murray beat Diaz?

A 2009 with MAB, Morales and Kotelnik would be a very good year for Khan and may set up a Hatton fight, which would be massive, not bad considering he was ko'd in a round a year ago

do you actually expect anyone to agree with any of this?

[winkveron]

What next? After Morales, Khan will step up to heavyweight to fight a prime Muhammed Ali? Wouldn't be surprised. It's disgusting and cowardly. The only actual people he has ever fought that are of equal or higher weight to him are Prescott (look what happened!) and now Kotelnik. It's like he is the school ground bully, beating up the younger kids and the geeky science teachers, but staying well clear of the harder older boys!

[Bard of Boxrec]

Don't worry, he won't get past Kotelnik. How the hell can he? Kotelnik is a genuine top ten light welter with legit wins at 140 including an arguable win over Junior Witter. He also beat Marcos Maidana who has since really bolstered his name with a win over the feared Ortiz.

While Khan has beaten approximately noone a weight division down and got dismantled in 30 seconds by a guy who is probably top 40 at best.

Sounds like a Khan win to me, folks!

This isn't me speculating any more. It's not predicting Oisin Fagan to KO Khan. This time, he's in with a proper fighter with proper wins who is going to fight back...

[winkveron]

This is what makes Khan unpopular, the matchmaking. I know there are arguments for and against how he is being matchmaked but it's doing him no favours in the long run. He even said himself that he wouldn't fight Marquez now, but would rather wait until he is on the slide. People said he was mature and smart for saying that. Say what you like about Murray but I get the impression he'd jump in the ring with anyone right now. Not pick his way through the division looking for easy fights!

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Does anyone on here have any clue about whats needed to develop young boxers? Young boxers need bringing along steadily with increasingly difficult challenges not simply throwing them in the deep end. They need profile building fights that may or may not be against the best of the best. Morales and Barrera are well past prime and much smaller but they are still top10 type fighters with world class skills. They are hand picked and picked because they are declined and smaller but they still have that skill that will upset a fighter who doesn't belong in the top10

Now Morales and MAB are still big names and will bring Khan to American/international attention, far more so than a John Murray fight would and both are actually probably harder fights. Morales deserved the decision over Diaz for the WBC LW title a while ago, would Murray beat Diaz?

A 2009 with MAB, Morales and Kotelnik would be a very good year for Khan and may set up a Hatton fight, which would be massive, not bad considering he was ko'd in a round a year ago

Yes i do,even well contested fights where the opponent gives a good account of himself but is expected to lose and gives the house fighter a few rounds under his belt,the thing with khan is that on 3 occasions now he got himself into trouble against supposed walkovers.So if khan is fighting for the world title his team either think he is ready or that kotelnik is a poor champ,i know which one i'm going for.Sky won't put him on box office forever unless there are titles involved,what were his options at lightweight,murray,thaxton,too risky,so move up a weight

If you seriously think Thaxton and Murray are near the level of Kotelnik your either crazy or just misinformed. Many people had Kotelnik beating both Witter and Mbaiye, he beat Madiana who just destroyed the hot new Rican prospect Ortiz. Kotelnik is arguably unbeaten and won a silver medal in the olympics. However Khan matches up nicely stylistically against him, hes faster, a better offensive arsenal and Kotelnik isnt a murderous puncher

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Don't worry, he won't get past Kotelnik. How the hell can he? Kotelnik is a genuine top ten light welter with legit wins at 140 including an arguable win over Junior Witter. He also beat Marcos Maidana who has since really bolstered his name with a win over the feared Ortiz.

While Khan has beaten approximately noone a weight division down and got dismantled in 30 seconds by a guy who is probably top 40 at best.

Sounds like a Khan win to me, folks!

This isn't me speculating any more. It's not predicting Oisin Fagan to KO Khan. This time, he's in with a proper fighter with proper wins who is going to fight back...

So you'll give him due credit when he wins, you'll be held to this D

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

This is what makes Khan unpopular, the matchmaking. I know there are arguments for and against how he is being matchmaked but it's doing him no favours in the long run. He even said himself that he wouldn't fight Marquez now, but would rather wait until he is on the slide. People said he was mature and smart for saying that. Say what you like about Murray but I get the impression he'd jump in the ring with anyone right now. Not pick his way through the division looking for easy fights!

However Murray's opposition isn't nearly as good as Khan's and aside from Khan hasn't tried to get a top level fighter in the ring himself. Its all a mute point with Murray anyway as he'll most likely lose when he steps up to the top10 level

[Bard of Boxrec]

Don't worry, he won't get past Kotelnik. How the hell can he? Kotelnik is a genuine top ten light welter with legit wins at 140 including an arguable win over Junior Witter. He also beat Marcos Maidana who has since really bolstered his name with a win over the feared Ortiz.

While Khan has beaten approximately noone a weight division down and got dismantled in 30 seconds by a guy who is probably top 40 at best.

Sounds like a Khan win to me, folks!

This isn't me speculating any more. It's not predicting Oisin Fagan to KO Khan. This time, he's in with a proper fighter with proper wins who is going to fight back...

So you'll give him due credit when he wins, you'll be held to this D

If Khan wins, it'll be by some bogus referee stoppage, protecting Khan from the later rounds while he is still looking full of beans. So no, I don't think I'll give Khan credit for that.

[tonyevs]

If Maidana couldn`t stop Kotelnik, then its hard to imagine a fairly average hitter from a division down getting the job done.. unless we get a ref who jumps in when Khan flurries away on arms and gloves

I think Khan gets a verdict, but its an interesting fight mainly because he will hold no size or strength advantage against his opponent .. something all his opponents so far have been chosen for .. well except one

[bigjack]

If Maidana couldn`t stop Kotelnik, then its hard to imagine a fairly average hitter from a division down getting the job done.. unless we get a ref who jumps in when Khan flurries away on arms and gloves

I think Khan gets a verdict, but its an interesting fight mainly because he will hold no size or strength advantage against his opponent .. something all his opponents so far have been chosen for .. well except one

Yes a fast flurry from khan and fight over

[bigjack]

Don't worry, he won't get past Kotelnik. How the hell can he? Kotelnik is a genuine top ten light welter with legit wins at 140 including an arguable win over Junior Witter. He also beat Marcos Maidana who has since really bolstered his name with a win over the feared Ortiz.

While Khan has beaten approximately noone a weight division down and got dismantled in 30 seconds by a guy who is probably top 40 at best.

Sounds like a Khan win to me, folks!

This isn't me speculating any more. It's not predicting Oisin Fagan to KO Khan. This time, he's in with a proper fighter with proper wins who is going to fight back...

So you'll give him due credit when he wins, you'll be held to this D

When predicting results of fights comparing who has beat who in the past doesn't always mean much as styles make fights.Can anyone honestly tell me that khan didn't fight thaxton or murray because he wanted a tougher challenge against kotelnik,yes there is risk in any fight but with his team they always try to minimize the risk by fighting weaker opponents,and thats exactly what they are hoping for with kotelnik

[Counter-puncher]

i may have misunderstood you here, but are you saying Khan was scared to fight Murray or Thaxton and took on the 'easier' challenge of Kotelnik instead????

[Rocky Balboa]

Morales has forgotten more than Khan will ever know in respect of Boxing! All this talking about possible future opponents - it won't mean shit if Kotelnik wins!

Morales was a faded fighter when he retired so how the fcuk is being inactive, gaining a lot of weight in the time he's been out of training, going to help him in his comeback? Its not! Why is he coming back? Surely Erik Morales is financially secure!

If we do end up with Khan-Morales, Khan or Roach better not complain about the criticism that will head their way when the bout is announced!

[Mensa07]

i can see the logic development-wise of a fight against Morales, its just the milking of it all by FW thats gonna be hard to swallow. "He's beat two legends now in Barrera and Morales, he's becoming a legend himself..." etc etc. If the fight happens, I don't want to watch it.

[alexpaterson]

I think that would be a lose lose fight for Khan if he wins then he beat a shot fighter and if he loses then he lost to a shot fighter I think he should fight Maidana or maybe Cintron

[bigjack]

i may have misunderstood you here, but are you saying Khan was scared to fight Murray or Thaxton and took on the 'easier' challenge of Kotelnik instead????

Yes that's what i'm saying,kotelnik has hardly been what you would describe as in top form has he,they considor him an easy option in my opinion,khans team don't take big gambles,his manager has said so,they want every advantage possible.Khan fears anyone with half a punch,so why would they risk him with kotelnik if it wasn't seen as an easy world title chance.

[stujones]

What next? After Morales, Khan will step up to heavyweight to fight a prime Muhammed Ali? Wouldn't be surprised. It's disgusting and cowardly. The only actual people he has ever fought that are of equal or higher weight to him are Prescott (look what happened!) and now Kotelnik. It's like he is the school ground bully, beating up the younger kids and the geeky science teachers, but staying well clear of the harder older boys!

Martin Kristjansen, Scott Lawton, Lazlo Komjathi abd Drizlane were all same size or bigger than Khan.

[stujones]

Does anyone on here have any clue about whats needed to develop young boxers? Young boxers need bringing along steadily with increasingly difficult challenges not simply throwing them in the deep end. They need profile building fights that may or may not be against the best of the best. Morales and Barrera are well past prime and much smaller but they are still top10 type fighters with world class skills. They are hand picked and picked because they are declined and smaller but they still have that skill that will upset a fighter who doesn't belong in the top10

Now Morales and MAB are still big names and will bring Khan to American/international attention, far more so than a John Murray fight would and both are actually probably harder fights. Morales deserved the decision over Diaz for the WBC LW title a while ago, would Murray beat Diaz?

A 2009 with MAB, Morales and Kotelnik would be a very good year for Khan and may set up a Hatton fight, which would be massive, not bad considering he was ko'd in a round a year ago

Yes i do,even well contested fights where the opponent gives a good account of himself but is expected to lose and gives the house fighter a few rounds under his belt,the thing with khan is that on 3 occasions now he got himself into trouble against supposed walkovers.So if khan is fighting for the world title his team either think he is ready or that kotelnik is a poor champ,i know which one i'm going for.Sky won't put him on box office forever unless there are titles involved,what were his options at lightweight,murray,thaxton,too risky,so move up a weight

If you seriously think Thaxton and Murray are near the level of Kotelnik your either crazy or just misinformed. Many people had Kotelnik beating both Witter and Mbaiye, he beat Madiana who just destroyed the hot new Rican prospect Ortiz. Kotelnik is arguably unbeaten and won a silver medal in the olympics. However Khan matches up nicely stylistically against him, hes faster, a better offensive arsenal and Kotelnik isnt a murderous puncher

Madiana looks like he's retired Ortiz from the speech he gave post fight... thats how hard he hits.

Completely agree with you PN - Kotelnik might not be the best champion out there, but he is proven to be a world level operator, at a weight above Khan. He might not be a murderous puncher, but then is John Murray, even most of Thaxton's fights go long.

Thaxton just lost to a European level fight (and a pretty poor one at that, judging by his performance in France at the weekend) and Murray isn't proven at that level yet.

I just cannot believe this fight is getting negativity... and it could set up the biggest fight for my money in British boxing history.... the sport needs Khan vs Hatton.

[winkveron]

What next? After Morales, Khan will step up to heavyweight to fight a prime Muhammed Ali? Wouldn't be surprised. It's disgusting and cowardly. The only actual people he has ever fought that are of equal or higher weight to him are Prescott (look what happened!) and now Kotelnik. It's like he is the school ground bully, beating up the younger kids and the geeky science teachers, but staying well clear of the harder older boys!

Martin Kristjansen, Scott Lawton, Lazlo Komjathi abd Drizlane were all same size or bigger than Khan.

Yes but very early on in his career. More recently (and at a higher level) see all the blown up super feathers like St. Clair, Fagan, Gomez etc.

[Bard of Boxrec]

It doesn't matter that those guys were 'bigger' than Khan because they didn't impose or have any sort of arsenal. It says a lot that of the guys Khan beat, hardly anyone actually got a chance to land a good one on him (because they weren't good enough).

Kotelnik doesn't impose his size either, but the point is he is just so many notches above those guys in every department and so the style issue doesn't matter, he will sit back at the start but get into the fight and land some telling shots.

People say Kotelnik is 'made for Khan' based on the styles of prior opponents who Khan happened to walk through without contemplating the crucial issue here - levels. So what if Kotelnik doesn't go all out swinging a la Prescott. Wow, he must be incapable of beating a glass chinned lightweight! He's still proven himself to be a world class operator, beating good, world level fighters - and Khan has proven nothing at all at that level.