Amir Khan: why the doubts over his chin?

[MightyWarrior]

Will it be his achilles heel? Seems to be a rumour that's picking up momentum. Even Kevin Mitchell got in on the act a few weeks ago, saying he thought Khan didn't take a shot too well.

Fact or fiction? Same was being hinted about De La Hoya early in his career too, after he was dropped a couple of times.

What's everyone's take on this?

Is the main reason because he was dropped in that amateur fight? Or have there been indications in his pro career too?

Hatton was flattened in the amateurs, but that didn't have much bearing on his pro career as we've seen.

[Old bones Ian]

I think its the fact we have not seen him take a big shot yet and come through it ok, without seeing that happen people will always say he might be chinny.
the knockdown in the amatuers looked quite dramatic, it did look like his legs went, but he came through it ok in the end.

[dondada]

I don't think the big doubts necessarily revolve around taking a shot but avoiding one in the first place. His defence can be a bit porous - the first requirement for a Khan opponent in his apprentice stage is that he must be light-hitting.

[MightyWarrior]

To be honest, I've thought his chin might not live up the rest of his potential - just had a feeling, in that last fight, that when caught he looked slightly rattled for a second.

Next up for Khan has 2 KO's on his record, so I doubt we'll find out for awhile yet.

[Old bones Ian]

Yes Khan does probably need to tighten up his guard a bit, but when he's facing these light hitting opponents then bad habits will creep , think he needs a couple of fights soon with someone who has a respected punch on them.

His opponent this saturday Barrett is a good boxer, who i expect to put up some good competition, but again i think a lack of punch will cost him in the end.

[Taki...]

Khan has the kind of style that is bound to earn him the odd KD, but that has more to do with balance than chin. Even a fighter with a not so great chin can go along way... look at Zab Judah.

[bradinho]

To be honest, I've thought his chin might not live up the rest of his potential - just had a feeling, in that last fight, that when caught he looked slightly rattled for a second.

Next up for Khan has 2 KO's on his record, so I doubt we'll find out for awhile yet.

I though he looked rattled too but is it because he was shocked and didnt expect it?

Plus Khan's chin surely cant be commented on when he was in the ams because he was a lot younger physically, he has bulked a lot since then.

[emma]

Yes i think the main reason for doubting his chin is the aba's knockdown.Ive also heard he was down five times in the national tournament.

[nickd]

The amateur knockdown doesn't help. Also fighting non punchers and much smaller guys so far in his pro career doesn't suggest much confidence in his chin.

[josh fg]

I think the biggest problem with Kahn will prove to be his guard, he gets carried away with attacks and forgets to defend himself if he gets someone who can counter he may be in trouble.

I would like to see him looking at fighting a british fringe contender right now, maybe dean phillips someone who is close to a British level but not a world beater, he doesn't seem to learn much with his current opponents.

[bradinho]

Yes i think the main reason for doubting his chin is the aba's knockdown.Ive also heard he was down five times in the national tournament.

Woowee, we'll have to wait and see, I think we could be in for a classic or even an upset some time in the future if all you ppl prove to be right.

And by classic i mean that khan gets KD and gets up to win....