IF Khan stops paulie......

Legitimately stopping a world class boxer, in his backyard, in your first title defence abroad, certainly proves something.

 

What are you basing this on?

Would Kotelnik not be classed as a "pure" boxer? He's certainly not a boxer-puncher anyway.

And, I would say Marquez has adopted a more boxer-puncher style in recent years.

 

Completely disagree on JMM. He can box many different styles, sure, but he's fundamentally a boxer.

Understand what you mean on Ktelnik, but Kotelnik was just one tough b*stard who in many ways fights more boxer-puncher but without the proper punch power. however, that's why i added 'almost'.

 

I don't think there is much weight in the theory Khan stops certain types of styles.

He's fought what...2 world class boxers? I'm even including Barrera in that. He didn't get a legitimate stoppage in either fight.

Most of the other guys are ones you'd expect to stop regardless of style, and he did in most cases.

 

But Malignaggi has been in with Cotto, Hatton, Diaz (x2) and Ndou (x2). Maybe Ndou isn't on the same level as the others, but they're all pretty tough hombres, real "grind you down" type fighters. Only Hatton has stopped him (a bit prematurally too). I can see Khan landing more punches than, lets say Cotto (maybe?), but I can't see him causing the same amount of damage as Cotto and forcing a stoppage.

 

fair enuf.

but you have to factor in how well he beat boxers at am level. most top guys he beat then would be upper tier now.

 

Yeah, I'd say Marquez has evolved from the classical counterpuncher from around 2001-05 to being a boxer-puncher.

Certainly in the Diaz fight he was more than happy to stand there toe to toe and have a war, with a skilled pressure fighter. Actually I'd say a puncher.... there hasn't been much ''boxing'' in his recent fights, Mayweather aside - it's been trench warfare.

 

exactly - he'll land more than cotto.

pm was inspired against cotto, who was seriously weight drained (in the sense that he should never have been fighting so light, the bane of modern boxing). khan will land heavily and often.

 

I'm not sure how relevant it is though. David Tua got stopped in the ams. Strange things happen there, it doesn't neccessarily account for what happens later in a career. Khan is a lot stronger now, and so will be his opponents. A top pro is far sturdier in general, the training, dedication, professionalism, it all moves up a notch.

Anyway, back on topic personally I think it'll be a comfortable decision for Khan. I'd be very impressed if he got a legit stoppage. Not one where he briefly stuns Malignaggi and unloads a furious flurry on PM while he's on the ropes and the ref has a shocker, but a real stoppage. It's in the US so hopefully that won't happen.

 

Just can't see Khan stalking Paulie the way Cotto did though. Say what you will about weight-draining but Cotto was a very authoritive puncher at LWW, right to the end of his days in the division. If Khan wants to get into the positions Cotto did it means he will have regressed back to his old ways somewhat (the whole standing and trading ethos that got him in trouble against Limond, Gomez and Prescott). His success against Kotelnik came because he backfooted the fight for the most part, and I think he'll do a fair bit of this against PM (they'll probably swap roles, and the fight will turn into a sniping contest). Running in and trying to overpower an opponent might work well against the Salita's of this world, but it wouldn't be that advisable against Paulie (who can't punch for ****, but who is a much higher level operator than Dmitri).

 

If he does big kudos but still a massive cloud until he fights a puncher.

 

I think the more pertinent issue is Khan's lack of variety in comparison to Cotto. You are correct about the styles of the two but to put it more simply Khan throws an awful lot of straight punches. Nothing wrong with that but its kind of predictable and easier to defend against despite the handspeed. Cotto had a good jab, a right hand, left hook to head and body and vicious bodywork in close.

Khan throws the odd uppercut but very few hooks and he hasn't been working the body at all of late.

 

Very true.

I think his timing of a punch is at times very erratic also, but I suppose this comes with the speed and from throwing so many combinations (the punch technique can look a bit sloppy though)

He still has a bit of time to develop his variety though.

Hopefully we might see some new things from him in this fight, and more general improvement in key areas in his game.

 

I think it might come in time. It certainly needs to, he needs to find something else to compete with multi-dimensional fighters like Alexander and certainly Bradley but it will be enough here. I'm sure Roach is aware of that, but he's taken him back to basics initially. Sort of like a Manny Steward approach to things so far, but in time hopefully we'll see more. I mean Pacquiao couldn't spell jab or right hook before he got with Roach and seldom did he work the body.

 

I can't see anything other than a dominating win for Khan. He is blazing fast, plus he has some considerable advantages including Roach and Ariza, consistent sparring and training with the consensus best fighter on the planet. He's also on a mission to make Paulie pay for the negative remarks about Pacquiao.

What does Malignaggi have? Fragile hands and the fact that he's very hittable? He will be beaten to the punch every time. I just hope he gets another haircut in the ring. Comedy gold!