Just how good is Amir Khan?? Another Leonard or Audley??

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 19 Dec 2007, 07:12

I dont want to sound boring but he needs to fight Thaxton. Irrespective of whether he fights Romanov next, Thaxton should still feature.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 19 Dec 2007, 08:46

More Danny Williams than Audley Harrison.

Seems to be best in UK by a fair bit & has some talent, but a style and chin that will stop him passing a certain level.

He banged out a guy who we realised afterwards was shopworn to f#ck with no chin left. Fairplay-- he got him out of there which is exactly what he should of done, but Lawton and Earl offered no resistence whatsoever and people are getting excited.

Last time somebody stood up to Amir he was a very shaky vulerable looking amateur without the vest or headgear on.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 19 Dec 2007, 08:54

Khan is still young enough that you’d think his punch resistance will develop some as he has a few more fights. He might not be granite-jawed, but I’m willing to bet he’ll be able to take a good shot when they decide the time is right to move him up in class.

He’s still developing – that’s the key issue – it’s not as if he’s never going to get any better than he currently is. As others have said, even De la Hoya was floored by journeymen early on, and aside from a B-Hop shot to the liver, he doesn’t go down much now does he….

Wax On · Post by **Wax On** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:01

overhand_right wrote:More Danny Williams than Audley Harrison.

Seems to be best in UK by a fair bit & has some talent, but a style and chin that will stop him passing a certain level.

He banged out a guy who we realised afterwards was shopworn to f#ck with no chin left. Fairplay-- he got him out of there which is exactly what he should of done, but Lawton and Earl offered no resistence whatsoever and people are getting excited.

Last time somebody stood up to Amir he was a very shaky vulerable looking amateur without the vest or headgear on.

What bugs me if that he bangs out Thaxton now, some people on this site will say he's too old, shot etc rather than giving Khan the credit he deserves.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:18

Wax On wrote:
overhand_right wrote:More Danny Williams than Audley Harrison.

Seems to be best in UK by a fair bit & has some talent, but a style and chin that will stop him passing a certain level.

He banged out a guy who we realised afterwards was shopworn to f#ck with no chin left. Fairplay-- he got him out of there which is exactly what he should of done, but Lawton and Earl offered no resistence whatsoever and people are getting excited.

Last time somebody stood up to Amir he was a very shaky vulerable looking amateur without the vest or headgear on.
What bugs me if that he bangs out Thaxton now, some people on this site will say he's too old, shot etc rather than giving Khan the credit he deserves.

We'll know that as soon as Thaxton steps in the ring. If Thaxton doesn't LOOK shot then no one would consider him shot.

Many things come into the equation:

1) How active has Thaxton been?
2) Did he win his last bout?
3) Is he a big puncher?
4) How hard has he trained?

Etc.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:21

Wouldn't go as far to say a Leonard yet but he ain't an Audley.

He did win when stepping up for the commonwealth title and when knocked down got up unlike Harrison.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:23

darkstar81 wrote:
Southpaw Stylist wrote: Khan as an amateur was basically a buzzsaw who hit too hard and quick for his opponents. His ABILITIES are amazing. Skills average, imo.
How are you distinguishing between skills and abilities?

The way that anyone who has studied physical education to at least GCSE level does...

Abilities = Things that you are born with
Skills = Things you are taught

Khan's abilities are amazing - He's got great speed, power, h/e co-ordination, reflexes etc...

Khan's boxing skills are average - He has a good jab, a good right hand, a good hook. However, they are all offensive skills. His defence consists of reliance upon reflexes, therefore it is not a skill. He doesn't have great ring craft or many technical boxing skills. He just does what he does.

Trust me, I know enough boxing to know that I am right on this one.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:25

Terry D wrote:
Max Molyneux wrote:Wouldn't go as far to say a Leonard yet but he ain't an Audley.

He did win when stepping up for the commonwealth title and when knocked down got up unlike Harrison.
You mean apart from the Williams knockdown Audley got up from?

He mean the Sprott one.

Williams Is more a puncher while Sprott and Limond aren't known to bang.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:36

Sprott cannot be confused with a 30-1 guy with 6 KOs, Sprott does pack a punch & has a string of stoppage wins over British heavies like Holden, Potter, Pele and is known for whacking guys out in the gym.

Wax On · Post by **Wax On** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:41

Southpaw Stylist wrote:
darkstar81 wrote:
Southpaw Stylist wrote: Khan as an amateur was basically a buzzsaw who hit too hard and quick for his opponents. His ABILITIES are amazing. Skills average, imo.
How are you distinguishing between skills and abilities?
The way that anyone who has studied physical education to at least GCSE level does...

Abilities = Things that you are born with
Skills = Things you are taught

Khan's abilities are amazing - He's got great speed, power, h/e co-ordination, reflexes etc...

Khan's boxing skills are average - He has a good jab, a good right hand, a good hook. However, they are all offensive skills. His defence consists of reliance upon reflexes, therefore it is not a skill. He doesn't have great ring craft or many technical boxing skills. He just does what he does.

Trust me, I know enough boxing to know that I am right on this one.

Not sure it's that simple mate to be honest. Reflexes are an abilty you're born with alright, but to me it's quite a skill to be able to use them as effectively as say Naseem did.

As for Amir's defences, he'll obviously have been working on tightening up his skills in this area since Limond, but we aint had much chance to see an improvement yet and may not get chance to until he makes a significant step up in class.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:41

It was hardly a KO punch that dropped Audley though.

Limond had more accuracy.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:46

Are you mad?

Audley walked right into a full beer swing by a guy like Sprott whos stopped half his opponents, and in a good class.

Limond walked up to Amir and planted one on his whiskers, he didnt catch Amir coming in like Sprott and he certainly doesnt hit like Sprott (talking relatively p4p etc)

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:50

Zab Judah has great abilities (natural speed and power), Floyd Mayweather has great skills to go with them, (brilliant defence, positioning, timing, and ring generalship).

Savvy?

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:56

The savvy part is lacking with Amir. IMO. Thats one of the things thats gonna do him in against a quality operator.

Wax On · Post by **Wax On** » 19 Dec 2007, 12:59

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Zab Judah has great abilities (natural speed and power), Floyd Mayweather has great skills to go with them, (brilliant defence, positioning, timing, and ring generalship).

Savvy?

Something learnt - certainly not by the time you're 21 IMO.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 19 Dec 2007, 13:25

Wax On wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Zab Judah has great abilities (natural speed and power), Floyd Mayweather has great skills to go with them, (brilliant defence, positioning, timing, and ring generalship).

Savvy?
Something learnt - certainly not by the time you're 21 IMO.

But you're bound to say that, you're a blatant Khan defender.

I suggest you watch the Pernell Whitaker/Sugar Ray Leonard/and another host of young fighters I could name who had SKILLS and savvy (although I don't agree that it is just savvy) as soon as they went professional.

Khan is a crowd fighter. He gets sucked into the hype and lacks the brains to do any different IMO...I am a fan of his, but I can distinguish between a good technician and a good athlete. What's more is, he isn't being taught this things as far as I know. I don't rate Harrison's training ability.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 19 Dec 2007, 13:36

With Mayweather, he's had that excellent schooling from his dad and uncles, something passed on log enough that he became the best at it. That correctness, to go with the raw talent.

I think Khan's raw talent is very big. I can see him picking up a world title. Whether he becomes a real champ or gets bombed out early in his reign I'm not yet sure of. Depends what he picks up along the way.

Wax On · Post by **Wax On** » 19 Dec 2007, 13:38

Southpaw Stylist wrote:
Wax On wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:Zab Judah has great abilities (natural speed and power), Floyd Mayweather has great skills to go with them, (brilliant defence, positioning, timing, and ring generalship).

Savvy?
Something learnt - certainly not by the time you're 21 IMO.
But you're bound to say that, you're a blatant Khan defender.

I suggest you watch the Pernell Whitaker/Sugar Ray Leonard/and another host of young fighters I could name who had SKILLS and savvy (although I don't agree that it is just savvy) as soon as they went professional.

There's also plenty of fighters who pick these things up as their career progresses, BHOP for example.

Ultimately only time will tell for Khan, so it will be interesting to read both of our comments back in time. I'm looking forward to seeing how he develops. And you may be right about Oliver too, but again it's a chicken and an egg situation. All the best trainers were once unproven too. It's not just Khan's reputation that is on the line. Good luck to them both!!

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 19 Dec 2007, 13:39

Autobarn wrote:With Mayweather, he's had that excellent schooling from his dad and uncles, something passed on log enough that he became the best at it. That correctness, to go with the raw talent.

Exactly. Khan's "schooling" is basically being picked up now. He didn't pick up any valid schooling as an amateur and that's why he still looks like an amateur.

Khan is basically a tremendously fast amateur who happened to turn pro.

fist · Post by **fist** » 19 Dec 2007, 14:24

Southpaw Stylist wrote:
Autobarn wrote:With Mayweather, he's had that excellent schooling from his dad and uncles, something passed on log enough that he became the best at it. That correctness, to go with the raw talent.
Exactly. Khan's "schooling" is basically being picked up now. He didn't pick up any valid schooling as an amateur and that's why he still looks like an amateur.

Khan is basically a tremendously fast amateur who happened to turn pro.

I think that last comment is a bit redundant. The lad's an excellent pro thus far for his age and experience - gve him credit. He is still learning and is vocal about that. Against Limmond his hands were too low, against Earl, they were high and tight. By the way, from his last fight Id say his hook has developed quite a bit more than just good, it looked excellent. His boxing skills are being developed all the time and it showed in his last fight. He is not as wayward as he was, showed a better defence and in terms of offence, was more accurate, efficient and powerful. The lad has the sufficient skills, talant and desire to learn and win, in order to have a good crack at the world at some point in the near future.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 19 Dec 2007, 14:36

I'd the say the gap between Leonard and Audley is a rather a large one so to say Amir will probably be judged as somewhere in-between is pretty accurate!

The question marks over Amir's chin are making his career all the more exciting I feel.

I guess he'll win a world title of some description but where he goes from there I'm not sure, it will depend if he develops at world level in the way that Hatton did.

When Ricky was struggling with Magee I figured his main assets wouldn't be transferable to premier world level - i.e struggling with Eamon Magee doesn't translate to beating Kostya Tszyu. But he did.

Not having a pop at Mr Magee there by the way!

StepinFetchit · Post by **StepinFetchit** » 19 Dec 2007, 14:45

Mwhahahahaha.....some of u want to even dream that Khan will ever be talked about along side the likes of SRL?

Yet a lot of Fannys were jumping out their cots back when Mayweather was fighting and beating the likes of an unbeaten Corrales and some in the know were comparing him to SRL.

As long as Fwank keeps Khan fighting Euro bums and hand picked cans he will look good to some of you.

Khan has no chin and i can wait to see him get KTFO.

Hut*Hut · Post by **Hut*Hut** » 19 Dec 2007, 14:45

Khan wont even be another Naseem Hamed, nevermind Ray Leonard. Typical Warren nonsense. The guy has ONE attribute - speed. Nothing else. He can't fight on the inside, he has shit defense, no intellegence inside or outside the ring and in short will be lucky to break into the top 25 p4p.

Tykemania · Post by **Tykemania** » 19 Dec 2007, 17:41

Asterix wrote:Ricky Hatton's chin didn't look great when he was floored by Mayweather, but perhaps it was just because it was a good shot? Same with Amir Khan getting floored by Limond. Does Ricky Hatton also have a suspect chin?

Just some food for thought.

Lets face it, any fighter can get caught by a perfect shot - that occasion when the aim is pure and the chin arrives at exactly the point of maximum extension, possibly with the struck fighter providing added force by dint of his own forward momentum. I think the issue with Khan against Limond was not so much whether he was chinny as whether he had properly thought through his attacking, come forward style and the implications of his poor defence.

Next fight out and it was clear that he had started to make the necessary adjustments.

How good will he eventually be? That is a monster call to make - at the moment he is in a tough division - the current titlists Casamayor, Diaz and Diaz are all great fighters, whilst Nate Campbell and Mike Katsidis are already around and there is the probability that Joan Guzman will move up soon. Khan needs time before I would be keen on him fighting that calibre of fighter just yet. Indeed, given that he is big for the weight, his best prospects would lie in the light-welter division, where he would have great, winnable matches with the likes of Junior Witter, Malignaggi, Torres and Hopkins.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 19 Dec 2007, 18:17

Can anyone envisage a Khan-Hatton fight 2/3 years down the line?

When Hatton is on his last legs, probably lost another big fight or two, a last pay-day for Khan (still) seeking a name.

Football stadium in the summer of 2011.

You heard it here first!