For anyone who's heard of McCloskey before this fight and for people who have seen him box, people know this isn't the tune up fight people seem to think it's going to be, McCloskey is an extremely awkward styled southpaw, has decent power (on a roll of four K.O's) and is difficult to hit, he's unlike anybody Khan's ever fought before, throws punches from all angles and gets stronger as the fight goes on, Khan was stretched to almost breaking point by the tough but limited Maidana, if McCloskey can weather the early storm Khan's sure to deliver (which I firmly believe he will be more than able to) I see a big upset on the cards come April 16th. McCloskey by mid-rounds stoppage, Khan will come unstuck and if McCloskey gets him in similar trouble to like Maidana had Khan, fights over.
Depends what you mean by 'toughest'. If you mean his best opponent to date..? Possibly If you mean his physically toughest opponent to date..? No
i think mccloskey power is being overated his last four stoppage are dean harrison - stopped three out of five defeats daniel rasilla - stopped in a spanish title fight by Hoang Sang Nguyen and was his first fight outside of spain giuseppe lauri - a old man who seven years ago was stopped by kirkosyan, eight years ago by witter and ten years ago by hatton barry morrison - who was stopped two fights before by lenny daws also non of these men baring maybe lauri brought any punchers threat to mccloskey so he could attack more which will not be the case with khan
Maidana, Kotelnik & Malignaggi would all beat McCloskey based on their performances vs his performances, so I would say no, he isn't his toughest test to date
Hes an awkward southpaw granted, but hes not quick enough and dosent apply enough pressure. Hes more of a plodding counter puncher. Khan should be too quick on the outside and pick him apart and stop him in the mid rounds
I am glad they have underestimated McCloskey and treating this as just a warm up before the unification fight between Bradley, Because when McCloskey wins it will make the victory that much sweeter. Im not saying that i dont think Khan isnt favroute but i think if McCloskey can get through the first 4 rounds i can see a late stoppage win for McCloskey. I hope he does it, i rate McCloskey and followed him from the start. Heres to the Paul McCloskey steam train.......:good
McCloskey's unbeaten, former British and current European champion, he's walked through everyone that's been put in front of him and has been due a step up for a while now, we haven't seen the best of him yet I'm positive, he's got a style that I think will give Khan a very difficult night.
nobody's mentioned mccloskey chin does he have a good chin a can remember he was dropped by chill john when they met
No, No, No Mcloskey is a 31 year old, untested prospect basically. he has NEVER faced anyone remotley as good as the 24 year old Khan, the speed and power will be far too much for Mcloskeys style of defence. Just look at the last 9 people Mcloskey fought. Ko %s just to highlight one attribute 28.57% 34.78% 53.45% 22.73% 23.81% 33.33% 51.67% 36.11% So these are journeyman/euro level fighters who are mostly feather fisted. Khan can punch at the elite level, and he has some of the fastest handspeed in the entire sport. Mcloskey has never seen ANYTHING like this, and his style is made for Khan Khan is going to blow Mcloskey out of the water. Ko within 3 rounds, this will look like Hatton/Pac
If one of the p4p hardest hitters in the sport couldnt stop Khan when he had him hurt then I dont think McCloskey will be able to. But granted I dont know an awful lot about what sort of power McCloskey will bring. IMO it wont be Khans toughest test - Maidana, Malignaggi and the very underrated Kotelnik are all better fighters. But McCloskey deserves his shot for a world title and after the farcical scenes during the last all British world title clash I hope for an exciting fight but with Khan victorious.
I would go as far as saying that Salita would be an even match for Mcloskey. He is way down on Khan's resume.
Feather fisted and journey men like some of the people who have knocked Khan down,, hmmmmmmm( limond) Look were aware its a big ask theres no harm getting behind a fighter you support... McCloskey is a massive under dog and chances are he probably will get blown out the water in the early rounds , but hey if he doesnt then theres a chance in the latter rounds he may get caught himself..