There are a number of reasons why the UK public 'hates' Amir Khan. Firslty and most importantly the UK has this obsession with placing people on a pedestal only to tear them down from it. People used to love Amir but then one by one turned on him. If you go on the Brit forums you'll see that people are starting to tear into Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe, it's just small minded useless people. Personally I don't believe he's arrogant, hes young, rich and successful so is bound to have a bit of confidence. For those people who complain about his trash talk, you'd better grow thicker skin. He's never said anything that bad, and boxing needs a bit of banter between fighters, so grow up and stop using that excuse. Furthermore, I do believe some quarters are racist against him, there is tension in the UK at the moment between the pakistani community and mainstream society, which is bound to affect some peoples opinion of him. In terms of his opposition, he's only 23, give him time to mature and take it one step at a time, you don't want to fire him into the lions den and ruin great potential. Now that he's away from Warren I believe when the time is right, his management will have him in big money fights with the best opposition, this is a business after all. I believe we'll be seeing alot more of Amir, and I wish him all the best. People need to stop being so hard on him.
atsch Who the **** are you sat in Cali with that fat **** avatar to comment on racism in the UK? I said from day one that some hate was blind racism. Some haters will convince themselves of the opposite with complaints that he is too cocky (but still love Haye and Froch), talks about himself in 3rd person (but every other boxers is allowed to do this), has a weak chin (like this is a character flaw). I do understand the priveldged path he has had and the avoidance of punchers will also sour some peoples opinions, but race is the key factor. You'd think a plucky Brit with no chin and an exciting style would be the kind of thing the public would go for in the UK.
Wow ive never heard a yank be so flattering to Ricky before. I thought all you guys hated him. Glad to hear at least 1 American sees him the way us british do
jog on...bringing up hatton as a comparison was not great, but your defence of ricky was ridicuous. I loved ricky, but he has talked plenty more **** than khan ever has, and its undisputable regardless of the rights and wrongs of it, that he avoided witter like the plague. ...and just looked at hatton's resume on boxrec, at the same stage Khan is now, Ricky was fighting for the WBU belt ffs.
Ricky dodged junior because he was A - Totaly **** B - There was no money in the fight. Ricky had much much bigger fish to fry than the likes of witter.
it's because he is pakistani and muslim it's 2010 but u will be surprised there are still so many ignorant racist people
we dont hate khan its just the hype and how he is getting classed as a great boxer without being put to the test. its bound to cause debate.....
no, i don't...think hatton was the better boxer, but witter would have caused hatton problems, the british public wanted to see it, and the fight should have been made. He definately ducked him, as Witter was high risk, low reward.:deal
I don't think the race/religion thing would be as big if Khan didn't constantly remind everybody that he is Muslim. It's like a Bible thumping politician -- you can't wait for the guy to fail. Americans in general, and sports fans in particular, are skeptical of hype. That's why we relish in NFL draft busts and upsets in the college basketball tourney. When the powers that be try to sell us another Euro, we resist. Maybe not full on hate, but to quote Public Enemy: "Don't believe the hype."
I'm American and like Ricky too. I'm not a fan of his but respect his willingness to fight the best and he has a pretty good resume. And this is all from a guy who's a fan of Tszyu & Mayweather. Hatton did what he needed to do to win against Kostya and it paid off. Their 1-1 vs Hatton but it's all good:goodlol. Much respect to Hatton.
I was and still am a huge Naz fan and I still love watching his fights. I don't like Khan, hate the kid, explain that. Naz was exciting, funny, entertaining and he also brought big money to the lower divisions. Khan ain't done much for the sport at all.
Khan satisfied me Saturday with his performance shutting out a legitimate fighter in Paulie. Hopefully he's able to become elite and make for some interesting matchups. Damn lately I don't have anyone who still fights in 140 to really root for but am leaning towards becoming a Devon Alexander fan but I need to see more of his fights first. Nothing against Maidana, Khan, or Bradley but for some reason I'm leaning towards Devon.
He should have fought him either pre zoo or post mayweather...simple. I dont think it affects hatton's legacy. You were complaining about khan, when the boy is still a puppy, and has achieved more than ricky did at the same stage! 24 fights or 23 years old.