Poll: Khan v McCloskey - Who do you WANT to win?

[greenyox3]

I can't stand this bo!!ocks about Khan being disliked because he's Asian. Naz may have polarised opinion, but he still packed out arenas and was watched by millions - some people disliked him because of his arrogance, not because he is Asian, and it's the same with Khan. To some people he comes across as cocky and lacking in class, and this is why he gets some stick.

Most of the problem lies with the people he surrounds himself with; he's employed family & friends to look after his interests when they actually know very little about the sport or the business and now they, in my opinion, are a bit of an embarrassment to him.

He didn't do himself any favours with the Twitter rants about his brother not making the England Commonwealth team, but aside from that I personally think he usually comes across well when I hear him speak, and he's the most talented fighter we have. So I want him to win on Saturday and then go on to be the top 5 p4p fighter that I think he can be.

I think it will be over inside 6.

[palooka]

Amir is very talented and a bout between him and someone else at a very high level could well be PPV worthy; Khan is not a PPV fighter irrespective of opponent though; we are lucky to see exceptional champions on SKY sports at no PPV expense; Khan is not in the class of Manny, Mayweather, Marquez or Guererro.

[palooka]

I can't stand this bo!!ocks about Khan being disliked because he's Asian. Naz may have polarised opinion, but he still packed out arenas and was watched by millions - some people disliked him because of his arrogance, not because he is Asian, and it's the same with Khan. To some people he comes across as cocky and lacking in class, and this is why he gets some stick.

Most of the problem lies with the people he surrounds himself with; he's employed family & friends to look after his interests when they actually know very little about the sport or the business and now they, in my opinion, are a bit of an embarrassment to him.

He didn't do himself any favours with the Twitter rants about his brother not making the England Commonwealth team, but aside from that I personally think he usually comes across well when I hear him speak, and he's the most talented fighter we have. So I want him to win on Saturday and then go on to be the top 5 p4p fighter that I think he can be.

I think it will be over inside 6.

Naseem wasn't Asian; his mother and father were from Yeman; he was Arabic. (Sorry if I'm being a nob).

[palooka]

Yemen is in the Middle East; bordered by Saudi Arabi, Oman and the Red Sea. I would have put it in the Arabian Peninsula. Amir Khan is of Pakistani origin (over 2000 miles and over 4 hours in a jet plane away).

[jtourettes]

Yemen is in the Middle East; bordered by Saudi Arabi, Oman and the Red Sea. I would have put it in the Arabian Peninsula. Amir Khan is of Pakistani origin (over 2000 miles and over 4 hours in a jet plane away).

Still on the continent of Asia though.

[doctorboxing]

Yemen is in the Middle East; bordered by Saudi Arabi, Oman and the Red Sea. I would have put it in the Arabian Peninsula. Amir Khan is of Pakistani origin (over 2000 miles and over 4 hours in a jet plane away).

It is still in Asia though.

[Chambers2]

I think you're getting sidetracked Gents

[palooka]

Yemen is part of the Arabian Peninsula; the people who populate the area are known as 'Arabians' or 'Arabs'; Naseem Hamed himself said in interviews he was picked on as being a Pakistani; he would retort; 'I am an Arab'. Is China part of Asia? is (former) Russia? Is Japan? All have different nationalities and cultures. Amir Khan has a different culture, upbringing and origin from Hamed.

[palooka]

I think you're getting sidetracked Gents

Yes; we are Earthling.

[palooka]

I can't stand this bo!!ocks about Khan being disliked because he's Asian. Naz may have polarised opinion, but he still packed out arenas and was watched by millions - some people disliked him because of his arrogance, not because he is Asian, and it's the same with Khan. To some people he comes across as cocky and lacking in class, and this is why he gets some stick.

Most of the problem lies with the people he surrounds himself with; he's employed family & friends to look after his interests when they actually know very little about the sport or the business and now they, in my opinion, are a bit of an embarrassment to him.

He didn't do himself any favours with the Twitter rants about his brother not making the England Commonwealth team, but aside from that I personally think he usually comes across well when I hear him speak, and he's the most talented fighter we have. So I want him to win on Saturday and then go on to be the top 5 p4p fighter that I think he can be.

I think it will be over inside 6.

The average man on the street doesn't care a lick about the back room dealings and general nepotism surrounding Team Khan. Nor do they care about Amir's Twittering (or whatever you call it). What they see is a successful young asian lad and a significant number don't like it. I used to hear it all the time with Naz e.g "I hope the cocky little Paki gets knocked out" - even, though Yemen is well over 1200km away from Pakistan (border to border). And I hear the same thing now about Khan. Anybody who tries to say that is not the case either lives in the home counties or is in denial.

Yemen is over 3500 kilometres from Pakistan; but I get your general point, though I don't agree with it.

[palooka]

I live in Yorkshire and don't really understand what a Twitter is. I've got to say though, Amir does come across as being a big headed so and so with what gets reported (from what he has 'tweeted'). Khan would have done better to have boxed McCloskey (a lower level world title challenger) on SKY Sports 3 instead of going for broke and trying to make a million quid out of it. He'd have broadened his base and would have been seen doing a bit for British boxing. (Would he have got SKY Sports 1 without the initial push for a PPV). If he gets knocked cold now, who will be right bothered? McCloskey has been messed about no end. Khan has a really big PPV bout coming up against Tim Bradley in any case. F me; he can't get a million or 2 every time he gets the gloves on; he's doing well, with the opponents he's fought, to be in that league anyway. (Amir ought to put a statue of allegedly up in his hallway, he'd not have half as much if not for his input).

[banjo]

I can't stand this bo!!ocks about Khan being disliked because he's Asian. Naz may have polarised opinion, but he still packed out arenas and was watched by millions - some people disliked him because of his arrogance, not because he is Asian, and it's the same with Khan. To some people he comes across as cocky and lacking in class, and this is why he gets some stick.

Most of the problem lies with the people he surrounds himself with; he's employed family & friends to look after his interests when they actually know very little about the sport or the business and now they, in my opinion, are a bit of an embarrassment to him.

He didn't do himself any favours with the Twitter rants about his brother not making the England Commonwealth team, but aside from that I personally think he usually comes across well when I hear him speak, and he's the most talented fighter we have. So I want him to win on Saturday and then go on to be the top 5 p4p fighter that I think he can be.

I think it will be over inside 6.

Naseem wasn't Asian; his mother and father were from Yeman; he was Arabic. (Sorry if I'm being a nob).

His parents were also descended from Moroccans which is North Africa

[palooka]

My parents (and yours) were originally monkeys that came from the African savanna (I saw a program on Discovery the other day); I've got a British passport though.

[greenyox3]

I can't stand this bo!!ocks about Khan being disliked because he's Asian. Naz may have polarised opinion, but he still packed out arenas and was watched by millions - some people disliked him because of his arrogance, not because he is Asian, and it's the same with Khan. To some people he comes across as cocky and lacking in class, and this is why he gets some stick.

Most of the problem lies with the people he surrounds himself with; he's employed family & friends to look after his interests when they actually know very little about the sport or the business and now they, in my opinion, are a bit of an embarrassment to him.

He didn't do himself any favours with the Twitter rants about his brother not making the England Commonwealth team, but aside from that I personally think he usually comes across well when I hear him speak, and he's the most talented fighter we have. So I want him to win on Saturday and then go on to be the top 5 p4p fighter that I think he can be.

I think it will be over inside 6.

The average man on the street doesn't care a lick about the back room dealings and general nepotism surrounding Team Khan. Nor do they care about Amir's Twittering (or whatever you call it). What they see is a successful young asian lad and a significant number don't like it. I used to hear it all the time with Naz e.g "I hope the cocky little Paki gets knocked out" - even, though Yemen is well over 1200km away from Pakistan (border to border). And I hear the same thing now about Khan. Anybody who tries to say that is not the case either lives in the home counties or is in denial.

Just because you've heard it a few times, it doesn't mean that it reflects wider attitudes. Yes there will of always be a minority who do think like that, but I simply do not believe that there is widespread inherent racism among British sports fans. That doesn't mean I'm in denial, it means that I just do not see it. And I'm not sure why it matters where you live?

[jtourettes]

My parents (and yours) were originally monkeys that came from the African savanna (I saw a program on discovery the other day); I've got a British passport though.

Not technically monkeys but an ape-like ancestor :geek2:

[palooka]

Thanks for clearing that up; I'd better update my profile pronto

[palooka]

The people that I know who are boxing fans do not give a toss that Amir is Pakistani; not a hoot; neither do I. Even the casual fan knows that there have been tough men side stepped on the way to the title, that he has been spoiled in the opponents, that he has boxed smaller men etc. All that is fair dues and par for the course in this day and age. Amir (or his advisers) is (are) positioning himself as a celebrity to the general public and as a PPV worthy boxer (whoever he faces). He is not. He is a fantastic prospect who has a world title and has developed over the last 2 years brilliantly; he is not an interesting fellow whose views you want to read in the newspaper, he is not a 'red carpet' celebrity. He is a boxer and there are, in his own division, very tough and determined competitors who earn far less than Amir. I prefer the work ethic and character of Tim Bradley (black american) and Paul McCloskey (white irish); there's no racism here in my dislike of the Khan media creation, I am sure as a man he is fine; I am not sure about the parasitical entourage and 'helpers' though; they won't be missed when Amir steps away from the ring.

[jtourettes]

The average man on the street doesn't care a lick about the back room dealings and general nepotism surrounding Team Khan. Nor do they care about Amir's Twittering (or whatever you call it). What they see is a successful young asian lad and a significant number don't like it. I used to hear it all the time with Naz e.g "I hope the cocky little Paki gets knocked out" - even, though Yemen is well over 1200km away from Pakistan (border to border). And I hear the same thing now about Khan. Anybody who tries to say that is not the case either lives in the home counties or is in denial.

Just because you've heard it a few times, it doesn't mean that it reflects wider attitudes. Yes there will of always be a minority who do think like that, but I simply do not believe that there is widespread inherent racism among British sports fans. That doesn't mean I'm in denial, it means that I just do not see it. And I'm not sure why it matters where you live?

It matters where you live because where I am originally from (North West) white-asian/asian-white racism is still rife, whereas other places I have lived and worked it isn't as much of a problem.

So extrapolating some attitudes you've encountered to the British public as a whole is ok? Bit of a sweeping generalisation and something that *gasp* racists are known for doing.

[gobbles]

I don't think the views held by many on this board are widely reflective of British sports fans. Amir is very popular among the British public. On here there has always been a deep-seated jealousy from some towards anyone who is successful and British. The hate mob that used to go after Calzaghe for example.
When Amir was with Warren, people said he had no chin and was over-protected and wouldn't have the guts to go to America. Then he leaves Warren, goes to America and even despite his performance against Maidana, people on here still want a reason to do him down.
He is 24, very successful and a millionaire.
Amir is a lovely guy and one who has had to grow up in public view. How many in his position would bother to build a gym out of his own pocket to get young people off the street? How many would bother to get involved with organisations like Oxfam and actually travel to disaster zones to help and get involved.
Most rich sportsmen get a pat on the back when they donate a bit of tat to an auction, Amir actually gets stuck in.
Yet here we go...hate, hate, hate..... "I want to see him get smashed", "he's too flash", "he's arrogant". Some people are just sad.

[Dan Dares]

with David Haye and Carl Froch

Yeah I agree, hopefully we can throw in Degale and/or Groves - but at the moment Khan is the new Hatten

throw in the likes of RICKY BURNS,Brook, Cleverly, Murray, Gavin......... and we've got some exciting times ahead DD

HAPPY DAYS!!

(^^^Especially for you Billy^^^)

Brook and Gavin are stylish fighters that can dance very well indeed. I think if allegedly matches Gavin competitively, and gets him the breaks, he could be a world champ sooner rather than later, even in a stacked division. Would love to see Gavin v Khan at some point soonish. Classy.

[gasman]

McCloskey!

[yiddo14]

Khan 100%.

[JC]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCyIrDZv3s8

Cheesey HBO segment with some nice footage of Amir visiting a local school. He can't be as bad a guy as some would have you believe.

[Autobarn]

i would have been more interested in seeing him vs another slugger, to see if he'd been ruined by the maidana fight.

khan was almost knocked out, and turned his back - to me, a sign of quitting. the fight was exciting, which many overrated as bes fight of last year. though maidana is almost always in fights of this level of excitement or brutality (see him vs ortiz, corley, morales). and khan-maidana didn't even have as many bruising EXCHANGES as the similarly sloppy but also exciting burns-martinez clash.

mcloskey is a worthy opponent, for the british scene. can't say there's anything about the irishman that makes me want to root for him. he seems talented but his physique is soft - he looks (and it may just be appearance) like a pampered well matched fighter.

couldn't give a toss who wins, really. shall we have 80 more posts of PC posturing?

[johnswan1]

Good man Frankie Gavin. He was just on Primetime being asked how he felt about the main event and said that he hopes McCloskey wins.