khan doesn't look half the fighter he did under roach.

It will take time for these changes to become noticeable, far too early to write Khan/Virgil off.

He needed a major overhaul, his style was horrible....
he's never had power, his defence was abysmal, ring smarts laughable. OK this change might fail, at least he's tried something.

I liked Virgils advice, nice and calm.

 

Seems he is on a decline.

Personally I have always seen him as a limited fighter that needed improvement in many areas.

He was hyped up in the beginning of his career, and to be fair to him, he achieved a world title and fought some of the best in his division and won. So, in that respect in my eyes he has over achieved what I expected of him from the start.

Having said all that, he has learnt very little in his 8 years as a pro boxer.

My critiques (not just based on recent performances).

1. I don't believe he possesses massive power.
2. Technique isn't all that
3. His chin is questionable
4. He cant fight on inside
5. Footwork is not great
6. Defensive issues
7. He has an ego and an inflated opinion of himself.
8. Not a smart fighter. Hasn't got the top end ring smarts.

Im not having a go, and as I said, he has achieved a lot, but I do think that this is the top of a slippery slope he is on.

 

During the rounds when we could hear Virgil talking to Amir, every time I said "Virgil he's not listening to you" ! Can't see him fighting again after his this 'Title Fight'. Think this is a last chance saloon to bow out with some positive vibes. He's always said 'I want to leave this sport the same condition I came into it " Think he's waaaaaay past that marker!!

 

On the downslope at 26 poor Amir.

 

Olympics at 17, world class amateur bouts, pro for close to 10 years, tough fights at the top level, its to be expected really, given his fragility and activity.

Having sparring wars against unheard of Russians in LA cant have helped either.

 

I said a few years ago when Khan starts to decline Physically its over for him.

 

As Path says he's been in this pro game for around or nearly 10 years and he's had some humdingers as well as a Am career that had a fair few fights.

His ability is based around his physical attributes and the constant remolding of his body shape and work he's done in past maybe are starting to show.

He maybe needs a rest from the ring, He's still young but we've seen kids come and go far to early before..

 

:good

 

Agreed!

 

What you say is true but my worry has always been about Khan being able to make these changes, there is nothing wrong with Hunters advice and you can see what he's trying to do with him but its unrealistic.

 

Gotta say some of those sparring sessions at the Wildcard (some even under Freddie's watch, some not) were brutal. Roach should be ashamed to oversee those sort of sessions.

Lots of fighters kill themselves before even stepping through the ropes. The damage was already done in the gym.

As soon as Amir Khan slows down (and that will happen now at a rapid pace) he is finished. Its like Steven Gerrard losing his burst, his game was all about picking the ball up deep and driving into the box, now after the many injuries to the groin, its affected his whole game. He can still play a 40-50 yard pass on a penny, but the burst is gone and the ability to shoot from long range (what he was renowned for) is dying. Once Gerrard lost his burst, he basically lost 90% of his game....and I support Liverpool. Gerrard now looks 5 steps of the pace, when players like Henderson are around him doing the leg work. The age is showing. The damage is showing. In some games I feel we are carrying a player. Steven Gerrard struggles to keep up now with quick and strong players from other teams. Players like Diame now make Gerrard look average. From 05 to 09 Gerrard would surrender to no one, he would dominate games and let no one get past him.

Amir Khan was always about fast hands, and overwhelming his opponent. He never had anything else really, he didnt develop when he turned pro. That was the precise time he needed a trainer like Virgil. I feel its to late now.

He is now fighting in 3 punch bursts and circling the same way all fight. He becomes even more predictable than he already was.

Amir is the perfect example of a sportsmen who doesn't believe in himself as he once did. Mentally scarred, the heavy defeats and beatings have torn him apart mentally and its now effecting his actual physical ability. The legs look shaky, without even being hit, the waist looks like jelly, the punch speed isn't quite what it used to be, punches that wouldn't have hurt him so bad, are now hurting like big bombs. His recovery and reaction from punches is still the same and he is now doubting himself more and more, even up against a fighter who 5 years ago he would of blown away, even under Roach.

The writings on the wall.

 

Interesting comments by all.....pretty much everyone writing him off.......amir has got a lot to prove.........next 1 year for him will be very interesting and no doubt exciting

 

It doesn't matter who trains him, fact of the matter is, he has no power, no chin and he can't help himself but brawl.

Not a good combination.