The Amir Khan Debate

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by srb31079, May 26, 2008.


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  1. srb31079

    srb31079 themarvelmarv Full Member

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    On June 21st one of the UK's next world title hopes steps into the ring against one of boxing's more colourful characters, Michael Gomez.

    I for one, and probably like most of you, are pretty annoyed at this fight even taking place. Yes, it's another opportunity for Khan to look good. But what are we going to learn from this fight? That Gomez should be on sale in all good sports shops as a walking punch bag? We can never predict what will happen in boxing because "one punch can end it all" but for once I would safely bet all my money that Khan will certainly stop the Mancunian before the 12 rounds is done.

    There is absolutely no doubt that Khan is a sensational talent and whilst he may be still a bit rough round the edges. He has what it takes to grab a portion of the lightweight title. Unfortunately this fight against Gomez is a backwards step. Gomez has power for sure and when he gets hit and the shot lands sweetly he almost laughs in your face and encourages his opponent to continue their onslaught. And that's what this fight will be - a slaughtering in more ways than one.

    A couple of weeks ago I watched an HBO boxing event that showcased three of the rising stars in world boxing today. All three were in fights where they faced dangerous opponents. I'll use Yuriorkis Gamboa as the example. He faced an opponent named Darling Jimenez in only his tenth fight. And this was a heck of a dangerous opponent for only his tenth fight. And whilst he got dropped, Gamboa will have learned more from his first ten fights than Khan will have from his. The argument for that lies with the promoter. I wont waste my time with the Frank Warren debate as I don't have enough room for it. But when it comes round to Gamboa's 18th fight I feel confident that he'll be fighting for, or defending, a legitimate world title.

    I know that Amir Khan's contract with Frank Warren expires soon and we can all see his eagerness to fight bigger names and really get himself in the mix for a world title shot. He is the WBO number two contender but it seems like he'll have to wait a while to get a shot at that or any other world title.

    Unless the current lightweight champions are forced to vacate or defend theit title, the current lightweight scene seems to involve Nate Campbell, Joel Casamayor, David Diaz, Manny Pacquaio, Juan Diaz, Michael Katsidis and possibly even Juan Manuel Marquez all in with more of a shot of fighting for world titles with Amir Khan looking on with envy. That is unless he gets away from Warren. And there is no doubt that Khan wants a world title shot sooner than the rumoured summer 2009.

    If he does not renew his contract then the vultures will be waiting, ready to offer him the deal he craves. I for one would be delighted if he signed with Golden Boy or dare I say it Don King. He'll be fighting a better standard of opponent and will get his title shot sooner.

    That's not to say it's a guarantee he'll win one.
     
    srb31079, May 26, 2008
    srb31079, May 26, 2008
    #1
  2. pne buz

    pne buz Active Member Full Member

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    Apr 20, 2008
    Lets debate the guys boxing credentials when his career starts!No seriously he needs to step up quite a bit on what Warren has been feeding him.At current rate he will only be ready for a genuine title shot in about 7 years.They are so obviously protecting his chin its untrue.Im sure Khan wants to get on with it and should have be in with your Murrays of this world already.
     
    pne buz, May 26, 2008
    pne buz, May 26, 2008
    #2
  3. dan-b

    dan-b Guest

    If he stays with Warren he'll end up like Ricky Hatton, treading water for too long. He needs to break the mould & walk away sooner rather than later.
     
    dan-b, May 26, 2008
    dan-b, May 26, 2008
    #3
  4. J-Dog

    J-Dog Active Member Full Member

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    May 7, 2008
    It would be the right move, whether it will happen is a different matter, if Calzaghe had have done that he may have had his world appreciation many years ago....

    Khan needs inducted into the Big Ocean from the small pond we can see him treading water in asap
     
    J-Dog, May 26, 2008
    J-Dog, May 26, 2008
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  5. dan-b

    dan-b Guest

    Frank has come a bit unstuck this time though. He usually targets the WBO because their champions are weak. This time though it's held by a recognised champ & Khan isn't the mandatory. Plus Nate seems fine about fulfilling his mandatories so Khan will have to wait as long as Frank's in charge because he won't be prepared to risk his new golden goose just yet.
     
    dan-b, May 26, 2008
    dan-b, May 26, 2008
    #5
  6. D-MAC

    D-MAC Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Apr 15, 2008
    It struck home to me a bit the other week when SKY showed the delayed coverage of the prospects fighting from America.

    I think the Mexican fella Angulo had only had 12 fights, and yet they chucked him in with a very live contender, Guitterez (sp?) i think he was called. This guy, who had twice as many fights as Angulo, and who had only lost once (to contender Clottey), came into the ring to beat the prospect. Angulo got rocked badly at the start of the 5th, but came through the rough patch to force the stoppage at the end of the same round.

    Now that is what is called a good progression fight. The opponent not only wanted to win, but still had the tools (ie: he wasn't washed up). Angulo will be a better boxer because of that test.

    I don't see the Khan-Gomez fight as anything of a test. Over here we just don't test our fighters like we should; obviously the talent pool isn't as great, but the protection of the fighter's "0" in the loss column seems to be the prime objective.

    I believe that this will be the second regression fight in a row for Khan (St.Clair better than Kristjansen, Kristjansen (at this stage) better than Gomez), and that is frankly scandalous.

    Frank Warren should go hang himself.
     
    D-MAC, May 26, 2008
    D-MAC, May 26, 2008
    #6
  7. pne buz

    pne buz Active Member Full Member

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    Spot on.The Murrays,Thaxtons and even Johanessons are where he would have learned up to now.But with those fights does come a small element of risk and Warren doesnt go in for that risk lark!
     
    pne buz, May 26, 2008
    pne buz, May 26, 2008
    #7
  8. J-Dog

    J-Dog Active Member Full Member

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    May 7, 2008
    His relationship with WBO is very questionable......

    Frank not gonna wanna risk him for a while with the slow learning curve he's on it could be a long while, its a shame Frank as at the helm and causing this problem....Nate was recently saying that he would give Khan his shot no problem, if Khan could get some real dipping in the vat he would sharp have his shot with a real Champ and take a worthy World Title win home....

    Beating Nate is a different matter considering we just dont know how good or bad Khan actually is yet....
     
    J-Dog, May 26, 2008
    J-Dog, May 26, 2008
    #8
  9. trotter

    trotter Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Apr 18, 2008
    I think some of the criticism is harsh.

    Gomez will be a test of sorts, out of the ring as much as anything.

    I don't think Amir's opposition has been too bad to this point but after Gomez I'd be expecting him to step it up.

    Best thing he could do would be to leave these shores, if he seriously wants to be all that he can be. Get to the States, get out of the newspapers, and be a real boxing pro for the next few years.
     
    trotter, May 26, 2008
    trotter, May 26, 2008
    #9
  10. dan-b

    dan-b Guest

    I think you're onto something there. He's very much part of the Jade Goody, Sheryl Cole, OK magazine, Sun brigade now. Does he want to be a celebrity or a fighter?
     
    dan-b, May 26, 2008
    dan-b, May 26, 2008
    #10
  11. Cobbler

    Cobbler Shoemaker To The Stars Full Member

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    Wouldn't it be better to use an example of someone vaguelly similar in circumstances to Khan?

    Rather than a 26 year old who turned pro after the experience of several hundred amateur bouts.
     
    Cobbler, May 26, 2008
    Cobbler, May 26, 2008
    #11
  12. Cobbler

    Cobbler Shoemaker To The Stars Full Member

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    Dec 10, 2005
    I'm not an expert on the Filipino local scene, for instance, but in his 16th and 17th fights Manny Pacquaio fought opponents with a combined total of one win and 13 defeats between them.

    I'm thinking they probably weren't a class above St Clair and Kristjansen...
     
    Cobbler, May 26, 2008
    Cobbler, May 26, 2008
    #12
  13. dan-b

    dan-b Guest

    So being an Olympic silver medallist isn't good enough pedigree? History generally speaks differently.
     
    dan-b, May 26, 2008
    dan-b, May 26, 2008
    #13
  14. dan-b

    dan-b Guest

    :? At 20 he held a WBC title.
     
    dan-b, May 26, 2008
    dan-b, May 26, 2008
    #14
  15. Cobbler

    Cobbler Shoemaker To The Stars Full Member

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    What's pedigree got to do with it.

    Just common sense that someone with a long amateur career turning pro in their mid twenties is likely to get moved along faster than someone with a much shorter amateur career turning pro in their late teens.

    Do you think Gamboa leant nothing between the age of 17 and 25? That he didn't improve as a fighter at all?
     
    Cobbler, May 26, 2008
    Cobbler, May 26, 2008
    #15
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