BoxRec

What makes people think Khan would challenge Floyd? Other than speed, Floyd does everything better. He has a higher ring IQ, he has better defense, and better footwork. You people bring up Khan's reach and jab. In reality, Floyd has the longer reach. And Khan's jab may be good, but it's not spectacular.

I just don't see how Khan could challenge Floyd for more than a couple of rounds.

Let me just say I'm not one of the ones who thinks Khan would win, or is even deserving of, a shot against Floyd.
But I do see the argument that increasingly it seems that speed is the number one thing that might trouble Mayweather. His defence has looked amazing throughout, but as he might be slowing just that touch, someone with good handspeed might be the only type of fighter to land cleanly. We've long talked about inside fighters and pressure fighters being the best fit to beat Mayweather, but he's shown great footwork and ability to roll punches to stay in the pocket and deal with that kind of pressure. Khan is about as fast as they come, and while I think timing like Mayweather has will always win out, I do think that Khan's speed could help him land a few shots. On top of that, despite Khan's chin, Mayweather isn't a big puncher and the two factors combined make people think.

I could see Khan winning the early rounds, but I think Floyd would adapt and win by UD.

I don't see Khan outboxing Floyd.

You can say "styles make fights" all you want, but Floyd is on another level than Khan.

VG_Addict wrote:I could see Khan winning the early rounds, but I think Floyd would adapt and win by UD.

I don't see Khan outboxing Floyd.

You can say "styles make fights" all you want, but Floyd is on another level than Khan.

If it was the old, pre-Hunter Khan, I would say Floyd by KO, but current "improved"/Hunterized Khan can outhug Floyd :) Floyd will get a decision anyway.

VG_Addict wrote:I could see Khan winning the early rounds, but I think Floyd would adapt and win by UD.

I don't see Khan outboxing Floyd.

You can say "styles make fights" all you want, but Floyd is on another level than Khan.

I don't think anyone really thinks Khan will thoroughly outbox Mayweather and shut him out, I just think his style may make it competitive.
I did start by saying 'I don't think he'd win or is even deserving of a shot' but that was obviously disregarded.

sharpei_louis wrote:Let me just say I'm not one of the ones who thinks Khan would win, or is even deserving of, a shot against Floyd.
But I do see the argument that increasingly it seems that speed is the number one thing that might trouble Mayweather. His defence has looked amazing throughout, but as he might be slowing just that touch, someone with good handspeed might be the only type of fighter to land cleanly. We've long talked about inside fighters and pressure fighters being the best fit to beat Mayweather, but he's shown great footwork and ability to roll punches to stay in the pocket and deal with that kind of pressure. Khan is about as fast as they come, and while I think timing like Mayweather has will always win out, I do think that Khan's speed could help him land a few shots. On top of that, despite Khan's chin, Mayweather isn't a big puncher and the two factors combined make people think.

I do think his punching power is under-rated, based on what some guys have said that fought him. Mosley, for example, said Floyd and Canelo had the same "pop" in their punches. Another guy that sparred with Mosley, Floyd, Pac, and Margarito said to him, in order of the hardest puncher was Mosley, then Margarito, then Floyd, then Pac.
I think what is different about Floyd is not throwing combinations like some others or he used to, where he could get more KO's. He plays it safe by not doing that and exposing himself. He has good power, no doubt about that, but not compared to the heaviest hitters. If he would let his hands go with quick accurate hard combinations like we all hope he does, he would KO the majority of guys he fights.

Can we agree that a prime Floyd dominates Khan?

A past his prime Floyd would dominate Khan. The only category you could say Khan has an advantage is would be hand speed, and that is even debatable.

Khan's speed is really not as great of an advantage for him as people think, or slow opponents would not be able to find him. The fact is they find him easily, and often. Hunter has taught him to be more patient and how to hold so guys can't counter as easily. The thing is, as he is coming to hold which is obvious when he does it, Floyd tees off on him and makes him pay every time.

Big money fight, but easy work for Floyd.