BoxRec

So Derrick Gainer turned it down. Lee Meager was in talks, but got beaten and has now retired. Dave Stewart's name has cropped up on a BBN article on the best lightweights in Britain (is Stewart still fighting?). Someone on here mentioned Aldo Rios (or was it Carlos Vilches or Denis Pederson? - I forget). John Murray offered to step in, in Sept, but I think Warren said on Bunce's Boxing Hour that this isn't happening.

Well... Murrays the one we all want (well, most of us), he'd take it aswell. Shame Fwanky boy won't

it's gonna be disappointing i reckon.

in a perfect world it should be murray.

they've got an arena to fill here don't forget.

and khan is no ricky hatton on ticket sales yet.

I'll toss my chips in on Fernando Angulo. IBF rated, former World Title challenger, not a big power hitter, and should be available for the money they have to offer. Might be a bit of a tough nut though, compared to some of the names out there.

How about Leva Kirakosyan? Smaller guy, but one with a good reputation in the UK.

emile wrote:How about Leva Kirakosyan? Smaller guy, but one with a good reputation in the UK.

Kirakosyan has power though.

emile wrote:IHow about Leva Kirakosyan? Smaller guy, but one with a good reputation in the UK.

ha ha no way.

not after the way he tore up johanneson.

I'd settle for Zahir Raheem. Yes, he got KTFO but he's still a very credible opponent. Kid Diamond would be another good shout.

Rahemm or Kid diamond would be good opponents.

Horse wrote:

emile wrote:How about Leva Kirakosyan? Smaller guy, but one with a good reputation in the UK.

Kirakosyan has power though.

True, but he's very short and probably a touch overrated in Britain, given that Johanneson is a very open and pretty average fighter. When he fought the tall Gulyakevich, he was outpointed pretty easily, and going up in weight might lessen his relative power. I agree that it would probably be too risky for Khan, but it would have some reward as well.

edit:
okay - Eduardo Roman, 37-3-0 with 8 ko's and rated by the WBO.

@ emile

Never been stopped as well, so I guess we know the angle that the Setanta boys will be using if it came off

I'm betting in Aldo Nazareno Rios or Angulo. They'll be able to build up Rios as a "former Hatton opponent", and he's light hitting and tough enough to provide a challenge without posing too much of a threat.

Thing is, Khan is probably prepared to fight anyone, withing reason of course.

But it's obvious Warren wants to take another Calzaghe route. Which will probably work out better in the long term

poodlepoo wrote:ENOUGH ALLREADY
IVE CONFIRMED DAYS AGO I WILL BE ALDO RIOS
END OF STORY

Hi Spud.

But didn't Frank say it would be a Commonwealth title defence next? So better flick your attention over to the horde of tough but limited Africans that could get drafted in for this job!

Yeah, I'd like to see Kahn fight Murray.... But Murray aint got the pulling power for a fight like that yet.

I'd like to see Kahn fight Michael Katsidis.... Its a fight that I'm sure he could win (with his speed) and Katsidis is somehwere in the top 20 in the world, not exactly off the world title radar, if you know what I mean.

If it is Aldo Rios than its hardly an inspiring choice but neither can you complain much as at least he'll be a genuine world rated lightweight coming to win

Katsidis would murder Khan at the moment..... Warren wouldn't let him anywhere near him.

emile wrote:I'll toss my chips in on Fernando Angulo. IBF rated, former World Title challenger, not a big power hitter, and should be available for the money they have to offer. Might be a bit of a tough nut though, compared to some of the names out there.

How about Leva Kirakosyan? Smaller guy, but one with a good reputation in the UK.

I don't think Kirakosyan would be that good. Lost to Gomez, lost to Gulyakevic (who Arthur beat already). Might as well wait for Arthur next year, a decent test & a guy who should eb a lightweight already.

I would never feel comfortable with Khan in with Katsidis. I know Katsidis is chinny himself but he hits way harder than Khan and has been rocked by geniune lightweights, whereas Khan seems to have been hurt by fighters who are naturally smaller. Khan would have the puncher's chance, and if it went 12 rounds I would fancy Khan to win, but against a slugger like Katsidis then I think he'll be knocked cold out. Katsidis' defence is shite and he cuts like shit but against Khan, he's gotta be massive favourite. I would love to see it but I would actually understand Khan not wanting to fight him, especially since he lost his belt and unbeaten record.

Dioufy wrote:I would never feel comfortable with Khan in with Katsidis. I know Katsidis is chinny himself but he hits way harder than Khan and has been rocked by geniune lightweights, whereas Khan seems to have been hurt by fighters who are naturally smaller. Khan would have the puncher's chance, and if it went 12 rounds I would fancy Khan to win, but against a slugger like Katsidis then I think he'll be knocked cold out. Katsidis' defence is shite and he cuts like shit but against Khan, he's gotta be massive favourite. I would love to see it but I would actually understand Khan not wanting to fight him, especially since he lost his belt and unbeaten record.

Yes, I agree, huge risk and not too much to gain for Khan. A fight with Murray at the MEN would I believe be a massive seller but a very, very risky fight for Khan to take. FW will not allow that I am sure, so I think Rios is the most likely.

I'm hoping Arthur beats Cook, so we can see Khan-Arthur up at lightweight. That's a fight I'd be interested in.

id like to see khan v murray just to put no doubt in anyones mind that he hadnt cleared up

but id be happy rios

p.s. Murray isnt a big ticket seller, and i dont think he ever has been

sweetscience wrote:p.s. Murray isnt a big ticket seller, and i dont think he ever has been

true.

but he's a local lad and thru fighting khan at the men that would create a lot of buzz.

that fight would sell a lot of tickets i reckon.

I think Murray will win over a lot of fans. He's not fought near Manchester in 3 years, until Meager. He has it all to be a good ticket seller. He'll get popular as his British title reign goes on.

Murray wants to get himself on the Hatton vs Malignaggi undercard. I reckon he could get Hatton's fans on his side when Hatton goes. Both have similiar exciting styles and with loads of fans the the world's his doorstep, so to speak. Providing he provides a decent display then it's a win/win situation.