BoxRec

stujones wrote:

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.

Still have some complaints about his style though: I'd like to see him at someone like Freddie Roach's (wild card?)gym, having a few proper gym wars, just to let him know how tough the sport can be. Not a knock on Oliver Harrison, because maybe he actually is that good that he can just leap in. I doubt it, but it could be true. That handspeed sure is impressive though.

To be fair, Barrett has competed at Light Welter on several occasions and didn't look small next to Khan.

Dean vs Khan would be good, but Dean should have one or two fights before Khan - I mean the Tontcho Tontchev result will bring in some criticisms. Not from me, but I'm sure some will mention it.

He was slightly taller which they kept on about!
But he looked like a concentration camp victim

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!

Ignore this, double post whilst pissed.

stujones wrote:
To be fair, Barrett has competed at Light Welter on several occasions and didn't look small next to Khan.

Dean vs Khan would be good, but Dean should have one or two fights before Khan - I mean the Tontcho Tontchev result will bring in some criticisms. Not from me, but I'm sure some will mention it.

Yeah, I could have worded that a little better. No complaints about Barrett in terms of size. To be honest, I was shocked Khan got rid of him that quickly: I don't think he was that hurt, but the speed of Khan's punches has to have an effect.

Dan Thorpe posted on Doghouse after his fight with Khan; he said that he felt that Kevin Mitchell hit harder, but Khan hit him so often that his power (or lack of it) didn't really matter. I mentioned Dean and Alan Bosworth because I know they can both take a shot. If Khan can overwhelm them, then perhaps his speed will be enough in the long run. Plus (the Tontchev result notwithstanding) I know they can both stay the course.

Im glad i didnt go waste of time.And what was dedicating his fight to naz all about?

It looked like a fix to me, Khan barely touched him when he went down and the ref stopped it as soon as he felt he could

mattym wrote:

WayoftheCass wrote:

mattym wrote:Look the kid is 19!!! HE IS JUSTA BOY!! what do you expect from a kid of this age?!!? Was he throwing wide looping punches?? Was he scared? wild? confused by the task ahead? (sorry if this sounds like an advert for a loan company) he did the taske well and his punches were nice and quick and tight. He swivelled his hips to give himself the extra momentum and reach, threw STRAIGHT punches, and his balance has greatly improved.

I agree he is young. But if ITV are going to feed us the PR line bullshit about how good he is and how tough the opponent is then expect a backlash when it turns out the guy he beats barely has a pulse. I'm just calling it how it is. He is learning nothing by mauling pushovers like that. FACT!!!

THEN WHY DOES EVERY SINGLE FIGHTER DO IT?!?!?! Ali faced fighters in his opening days at pro with less experince than Amir's so far. ALI!!! The same goes for countless other world champions You have to build up slowly rather than jump in before you are ready and get in too deep. Its like a fish trying climb trees, it just hasnt evolved enough, okay terrible example but why should he at 19 and in the early stages of a pro career be a world beater? i think you underestimate the toughness of the sport (no offense)

If your going to compare Khan with Ali then I suggest to have a closer look at Ali's record... by his 6th fight Ali was already fighting men who had fought world class contenders, Ali's early opposition was miles ahead of Khans and to say otherwise is just trying to rewrite history.... I've no problem with people saying khan has talent but when they go on about how he's already close to world class or when he talks about fighting Mayweather in a 4 rounder, it is all too much... if he is really so talented then lets see him in with a fighter who can actually fight because the truth is he hasnt faced one yet since he turned pro... if he's so good why was he pulled out of the ABA'S?... as it is I think he would have learnt a lot more had he been facing the top Amuteurs for the past year rather than following the road he has been since turning pro...

Khan is learning nothing by blowing out guys who are barely English title level. He has flaws in his style that need rectifying, and he needs to step up the level of opposition so that he can see that. If he starts to believe that he can walk through everyone the way he walked through that guy last night he's going to have real problems when he finally steps up.

Khan is still learning and I thought Barrett would take him a few rounds last night but like someone said he just seemed to freeze.

One possible future opponent for Khan must be Willy Blain they both have opponents in common

Kev

glahn wrote:Khan is learning nothing by blowing out guys who are barely English title level. He has flaws in his style that need rectifying, and he needs to step up the level of opposition so that he can see that. If he starts to believe that he can walk through everyone the way he walked through that guy last night he's going to have real problems when he finally steps up.

The trouble is with boxing being like it is today Khan will probably pick up a world title without having to face anyone over Europeon class... its Hatton all over again... Amir will be WBU 'champion' with about 10 defences under his belt before he fights a genuine world class fighter imo...

i'll cut to the chase and say i think barrett took a dive last night, fair enough the first knockdown was ok..but the next 2...c'mon

Have to agree with you for a change spuddy , it all seemed rather too easy for me. :( .. can't believe that Barrett is really that bad!... :x

Did I watch the Amir Khan fight? not sure what the feck that was meant to be but it certanly wasn't a fight! Utter cack. I can't believe they could find that many guys for Barrett to beat to get a record like that. He looked as if he fell over by the gust of wind from the punch. Khan is well over-rated, and worst of all he believes all the hype about himself, turning into a cocky twat. None of his opponents have been punchers, they have all been blown up super feathers, and were all cack, so it doesn't take much to look good against that. The first decent guy, who can punch a bit will KO Khan. Then the sugar mountain he has been built up on will fall to bits. Give him a Ricky Burns, Martin Watson, or even Gary Reid, and then we'll see what he's all about, the three of them would hammer him. But Uncle Fwank wouldn't want that now would he.

With the greatest of respect, I don't think you can say the first guy who can punch a bit will hammer him, and then mention Ricky Burns.

I appreciate your point though. Khan has to face someone who can crack a bit before too long. I stand by my point that Alan Bosworth would be a good opponent next. At least he won't fall over from a gust of wind. Or if Khan really is that good, get him in with Dean Hickman.

that right hand from khan was so good that it floored barrett 3 times!!
the reason barrett was above him in the rankings is because khan has fought nobody of any real merit while the lad from thamesmead has fought fractionally better opposition - he's still rubbish just fought more times against slightly less poor fighters.
AK will eventually have to fight someone who can defend himself, has a capable jab and a bit of a dig from the right hand. the man with all three of these properties will pose a real question to our hero.

pasty_spud wrote:i'll cut to the chase and say i think barrett took a dive last night, fair enough the first knockdown was ok..but the next 2...c'mon

Nah, I don't think it was a dive. I think that Barret was way out of his depth and after tasting that right hand that floored him the first time he thought 'Sod this for a game of soldiers. I'm off!!'
Some times I think fighters dive to protect themselves from taking a beating rather than it being corrupted. I mean politicians would have a field day with it and would much rather be crusading to 'clean up boxing' than deal with real problems like the NHS and Iraq. Plus all the multiple replays and analysis make it too risky.
I remember when Seldon turned chicken and dived against Tyson. Never for one moment did I think King fixed it. I just thought that Seldon bottled it and couldn't wait to get the hell out of there. It really pissed me off when he said 'I did my best!' because he didn't. He ripped us all off.
At least Barret showed frustartion. He should have kept his big mouth shut before it though. It made it all the more ridiculous.
For me the match maker was at fault. Barret was clearly unqualified to give Khan any kind of test or to give the fans any kind of entertainment.

hitman_hatton1 wrote:barrett made khan look like tommy hearns there.

At times, I thought Woods made Johnson look like Hagler!
(Well done to Clinton for grinding out the win though.)

It was telling that Barrett wasn't badly hurt.
The first KO was only an arm punch - albeit a good one, which caught Barrett off balance.

Then the famous windmills came in.

Referees do have a habit of stopping Khan fights a touch early.
Not that many opponents show any evidence of coming back to be fair.

It's not all that premature to test Amir now.
I believe it's necessary if he's to avoid becoming the next Hamed.

Maccarinelli's really impressed me this year by taking genuine, tough fights.
I'm fairly sure Enzo could advise Amir a little more clearly than Naz.

mattym wrote:Look the kid is 19!!!

Tyson, Patterson, Ali?

An opponent who fights back would be a start.

states wrote:

stujones wrote:
To be fair, Barrett has competed at Light Welter on several occasions and didn't look small next to Khan.

Dean vs Khan would be good, but Dean should have one or two fights before Khan - I mean the Tontcho Tontchev result will bring in some criticisms. Not from me, but I'm sure some will mention it.

Yeah, I could have worded that a little better. No complaints about Barrett in terms of size. To be honest, I was shocked Khan got rid of him that quickly: I don't think he was that hurt, but the speed of Khan's punches has to have an effect.

Dan Thorpe posted on Doghouse after his fight with Khan; he said that he felt that Kevin Mitchell hit harder, but Khan hit him so often that his power (or lack of it) didn't really matter. I mentioned Dean and Alan Bosworth because I know they can both take a shot. If Khan can overwhelm them, then perhaps his speed will be enough in the long run. Plus (the Tontchev result notwithstanding) I know they can both stay the course.

I agree, although Dean would need to have at least one fight (and hopefully a win first) otherwise Khan will be in a no win situation. The fight is close or Dean survives - then doubts on Khan's power will be raised by the critics. Khan does Dean in a round people will say his chin is going.

Personally, I think its a great fight - although Khan is getting bigger and Dean is a true 9stone 9lbs fighter (his walk around weight). It would have to be fairly soon cause I think he (Khan) will soon be struggling to make Light Welter. Dean has the handspeed though to cause problems, even Ryan Barrett clipped Khan once.

I cant help think the whole Amir Khan thing will end in tears. As much as i want Amir Khan to go all the way, i hate this carnival feel to the whole thing.

The British public is unforgiving especialy when Khan fights someone who hits back. They will realise they have been fooled out of there money for the past few years & the press they are just waiting in the shadows to pounce!

mattym wrote:oh come on boys you bunch of cynics fair enough the opponent wasnt brilliant but he could thrpow a punch and did present realistic problems for Amir. He had a significant height and reach advantage, and also he looked like some genetic freak from a computer game which is enough to keep many people away.

Khan coped very wel with a realistic problem and dealt with him in the first round!!! Im not saying that proves Khan is world class or anything near, but he really looked good out there tonight!!! His reflexes were absolutely amazing even on the inside he could lean back far enough to avoid shots!!! that is rare!! His punching technique was phenomenal and his right hand was abolutely incredible!!!

I wouldn't classify a guy with 3 KO's in 15 fights someone who can throw a punch.

livingstone cole wrote:I don't think we can criticise Amirs skill set based on the strength of his opposition. To me Amir looked good, a little reckless maybe, but I'm sure that's because he knew the guy had froze and wasn't going to pose any threat. Amir continues to look good, and I might be the only optimist here but I think he'll continue to impress when the competition is upped.
None of us want to see Amir protected his whole career, I don't think that will happen. Keep bringing the Shiny things back Amir, though preferably a higher class of shiny than the WBU.

You can certainly criticize him. He's not working on things he should be in stay busy fights. From what I've seen of him, he runs right at people because he knows they won't hurt him. His last three fights have had like 30 wins and like 5 KO's combined. he knows he's in for a win. I'd be interested to see what happens when someone actually can hit back, and he needs to fight outside of that comfort zone he's established. He's not improving himself in these fights and he is setting himsel;f up to get locked in bad habits.

re titles, is there an age restriction on the English title? Ditto Commonwealth.

WayoftheCass wrote:

pasty_spud wrote:i'll cut to the chase and say i think barrett took a dive last night, fair enough the first knockdown was ok..but the next 2...c'mon

Nah, I don't think it was a dive. I think that Barret was way out of his depth and after tasting that right hand that floored him the first time he thought 'Sod this for a game of soldiers. I'm off!!'
Some times I think fighters dive to protect themselves from taking a beating rather than it being corrupted. I mean politicians would have a field day with it and would much rather be crusading to 'clean up boxing' than deal with real problems like the NHS and Iraq. Plus all the multiple replays and analysis make it too risky.
I remember when Seldon turned chicken and dived against Tyson. Never for one moment did I think King fixed it. I just thought that Seldon bottled it and couldn't wait to get the hell out of there. It really pissed me off when he said 'I did my best!' because he didn't. He ripped us all off.
At least Barret showed frustartion. He should have kept his big mouth shut before it though. It made it all the more ridiculous.
For me the match maker was at fault. Barret was clearly unqualified to give Khan any kind of test or to give the fans any kind of entertainment.

Not so much a dive as a belly flop imo!...

silkov wrote:Not so much a dive as a belly flop imo!...

Remember Hide vs. Bentt?


Here's a classic from good old Buncey.

Love these two:

Steve Bunce wrote:On Saturday night the two boxers [Johnson/Woods] easily claimed the British fight of the year.

Macca vs. Hobson?

And:

Khan is simply the finest prospect in world boxing.