Gamboa vs Khan... Lets take a Look!!!

Lets start with Amir Khan. A guy who on this forum is definitely under rated, although overhyped in across the UK it seems. A fighter who has also shown great improvement since he commenced his pro career. His strengths are his obvious handspeed, and his ever improving technical approach to the sport. His handspeed IMO is ever so slightly better then Gamboa's, as is his jab. His straight punches overall are excellent, and he counters extremely well off his jab cross, as well as putting them together in combinations.

Technically, his is much more orthadox then Gamboa, especially now as he has started to settle into the pro game. His defence although leaky at times, has certainly improved, and he is keeping his hands high and is being caught less and less admiring his work. His biggest flaws at the moment would have to be the sometimes lack of variety in his offense earlier in his career, although this has been now improved with more body work, hooks and uppercuts being thrown in. His lack of head movement, particularly to the right hand. A trait a lot of Euorpean fighters seem to share. His somewhat questionable chin, although i don't think that it is glass either, just not solid. Keep in mind, guys like Trinidad and Hearns had shakey chins as well, as did Julian Jackson and Terry Norris, and look what they achieved. Definitely not the be all and end all.

Here is a clip of him in his most recent fight, a dominant performance against a game, but not overly challenging opponent. IMO he is really starting to look polished based on these recent fights. He is starting to fight very naturally, and is making those amatuerish mistakes less and less.

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Next, lets have a look at Gamboa. A guy who in stylistically is totally different to Khan, but still an extremely talented fighter. His strengths lie in his offensive variety, the unorthadox angles that he produces, and his combination punching. He seemingly has more power then Khan, and is IMO the more dangerous offensive fighter. However, he does this at the price of sacrificing his defence. Before the Jimenez fight, I pointed out that i thought Gamboa would be uncomfortable if someone pushed him back, and that he would find guys like Diaz to be extremely tough fights based on styles. IMO, the Jimenez fight futher cemented this.

When given room, his head and upperbody movement is excellent, and the way he throws those combinations deadly. Still, even at range there are flaws present. He seems to have a fairly weak jab, and doesn't like to set up his work. He prefers to come in with power shots, but unlike Roy who he has been compared to, he doesn't have the same speed and isn't as clever as Roy was at feinting and baiting his opponents. He also has a tendacy still to admire his work at times, and has been caught with his hands in poor positioning after throwing.

In close quarters, he is a very tough fighter, and appears to be quite cagey. He mixes his shots well, and appears to be quite durable. Still, he keeps his hands down FAR too often from this range. Even guys like Roy who would keep their hands down from distance, always kept them up in close quarters. He also used more movement then Gamboa does, who seems a bit gun happy with his power, and is at times content to try and outslug his opponent.

Here is the middle part of his fight against Jimenez. I feel it should be pointed out, that this is not his best performance either, but as it is against his best opponent, i felt it should be shown. Khan's fight that i have shown is also clearly not his best performance, but still a good one.

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In terms of a head to head match up, this is an extremely interesting contrast of styles, and two guys who would definitely be exciting to watch.

Both guys definitely have their own advantages as well. From range, Khan would definitely be able to frustrate Gamboa. Using his quick stiff jab, and counter right hands, i have no doubt he can and will land on Gamboa if he comes in winging power shots. He has a good style to use his height and reach advantage, and from the outside would hold the slight edge in handspeed. Defensively though, Khan lacks the head movement to be able to deal with some of the angles that Gamboa can produce. Khan has been fighting predominantly Euro fighters, who are much more conventional. Looking at his lack of headmovement, i feel if he wasn't using his movement, he would be left a sitting duck for the offense of Gamboa.

From the inside this is an interesting fight. Khan is technically tighter with his defence, and would be firing combinations then turtle shelling. Gamboa is stronger however, and would be looking to make things nice and physical from this position. Gamboa once again would have success with his hooks and angles, although in doing so would once again leave himself open for the quick counters from Khan.

Overall, these guys are pretty even in many areas. I think what wins this is the power and durability from Gamboa. Khan although the more experienced guy, needs to prove himself against superior opponents still, especially so we can judge how he copes with guys who throw from those unorthadox angles, and how he stands up against fighters with better power.

If i had to make a pick, at this stage i would definitely go with Gamboa. Giving him the benefit of the doubt from his last fight. Still, a very interesting match up. I think Khan will progress more as a pro then Gamboa based on their styles, and that if he keeps stepping it up, in a couple years this will be virtually a pick em fight, maybe even a slight edge to Khan depending on his performances from here on in.

I know it has been discussed to death, but would love to hear your thoughts on both guys??