I reckon Burns would have beaten a prime Duran. Too skilled, too powerful. Duran never faced anyone like Ricky Burns.
I've seen the odd burst from Ricky against Katsidis and a few others that made me go "WOW, nice speed!" but no, he cannot match Khan for speed obviously. he is very quick when he wants to be, I think he's more focused on planting his feet though, ala Mitchell, where he was deliberate, and dropped Mitchell hard (Khan could actually learn something from Ricky here)
Is that as well as looking like Sugar Ray Leonard?:think Khan couldn't look like Ray if you they pulled off an op like that movie Face Off with Ray's face on Khan's body. Not 100% if it was you who said it Nipple,but someone did.
I'm dying to say that you're right Laz,and Amir is nowhere near as fast as Ricky. But you've not got the same sense of humour you used to have.:-(
Twas a joke Bill, I hope you could tell. I actually think you are one of the best trainers this side of the pond. There is only about 5, and some of those are out of the game now. :good
I think Khan would try to come out strong, throwing multiple bursts of wild flailing arm punches, like he always does, Ricky would weather these easily (like against Katsidis) and counter him. After about 6 rounds Khan would gas (like he always does) Ricky would pummell him, and end it with a TKO or a points decision. Apart from Khans lack of endurance past 6 rounds, the boxing brains would make the difference, Ricky is stone cold, keeps a really cool head and fights intelligently...Khan fights like an arrogant idiot, trying to brawl, when he has no real power and a **** chin...his arm punches are fast, but lack any real power, he rarely twists his waist into any punches, but the telling factors would be cardio and following the plan/adapting to what's working. Khans got a more impressive sounding CV, but in reality, he's been beaten 3 times (twice by KO) by pretty average boxers, that he was expected to beat easily, and hasn't beaten anyone that good, anywhere near their prime.
To be fair earl i have seriously questioned your knowledge on boxing so we will take your comment with a pinch of salt my friend
I seriously question your ability to be impartial when it comes to your own fighter, so I guess we are at an impasse
Khan clearly has quicker hands than Burns, and quicker feet, but it's not as if he makes best use of those attributes, is it? His handspeed works for him against certain fighters, but his footwork is brutal.... gets him in harm's way more often than not. Burns has similar height and reach, and despite being pretty basic - in that he works off his jab a lot, he finds a home for the left to the body nicely and can land uppercuts too. The way that Khan becomes over confident and bumrushes in could leave himself open to the left hook that put Mitchell down for the first time. I'm being careful not to overrate Burns based on who he's beaten thus far, but is Khan REALLY all that? He's simply not improved at all in four years. I'd go for Burns by decision, 116-112 ish. Khan CAN be outboxed, I'm certain of it. He doesn't punch hard enough to knock Burns out, which I think is key. Burns wouldn't respect him.