jupzrooni
03-30-2008, 03:21 AM
Fading Pacman Khan be beat
Barry Mcguigan 29/03/2008 ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Amir Khan to kick off the new season with his first world title shot against the legendary Manny Pac quiao in September this year?
Sound ridiculous? It is a long shot for sure, but suddenly, not out of the question.
Pacquiao moves into Khan range in June when he challenges David Diaz for the WBC lightweight title.
It is a shrewd move by the Filipino, who has his eyes trained on a world title in a fourth weight division. Diaz is certainly the weaker of the lightweight champions.
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You might think that Pacquiao would be too much for Khan - who is out again against Martin Kristjansen next week - at this stage in his career. I'm not sure after watching the Pacman edge a split decision against Juan Manuel Marquez a fortnight ago. It looks to me as though there is not too much left in the tank.
He seems to be having trouble with dedication and commitment. He is a fantastic fighter, a superstar of the game, but there comes a time in a boxer's career when you get fed up of being hit in the head.
When that happens, it is the day you start to die as a fighter. Only the fighter knows when that moment arrives, when that one punch too many has landed.
Remembering when that day came for me and looking at Pacquiao against Marquez there were a couple of moments when I thought: Hello, has Manny crossed that line?
Furthermore I'm not sure Pacquiao can hold weight at 9st 4lb (super-feather), never mind the 9st 9lb lightweight limit.
His walk-around weight is much higher, of course, but that is totally different to fighting shape. Super-feather is probably as high as he would want to go ideally, but he has this yearning for the four-division champion label.
He might not get past Diaz even. Everyone will pick him but it would not surprise me to see Diaz stop Pacquiao at lightweight.
That would then open the door to Khan versus Diaz. Either way the year is shaping up beautifully for Khan, who is certain to start setting the world agenda just as powerfully as he does at home.
Next Friday Jon Thaxton hopes to throw his hat into Khan's ring by beating Yuri Romanov for the European lightweight title.
Thaxton priced himself out of a duel with Khan last year. Beating Romanov is his last throw of the dice regarding Khan, who he is trying to smoke out with this bout the night before. And that won't be easy. Romanov is a top-class fighter, younger and driven, so he is taking a big gamble.
Thaxton did not look great against Dave Stewart in defence of his British crown. He's tight at the weight and not getting any younger. Romanov is clever and has Khan in his own sights.
Facing the European champion, whoever that might be, remains an option for Khan given safe passage against Kristjansen.
But after watching him beat Gairy St Clair, Khan is probably eyeing a world title shot sooner rather than later. Khan came of age that night.
Hmmm:think
Barry Mcguigan 29/03/2008 ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Amir Khan to kick off the new season with his first world title shot against the legendary Manny Pac quiao in September this year?
Sound ridiculous? It is a long shot for sure, but suddenly, not out of the question.
Pacquiao moves into Khan range in June when he challenges David Diaz for the WBC lightweight title.
It is a shrewd move by the Filipino, who has his eyes trained on a world title in a fourth weight division. Diaz is certainly the weaker of the lightweight champions.
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You might think that Pacquiao would be too much for Khan - who is out again against Martin Kristjansen next week - at this stage in his career. I'm not sure after watching the Pacman edge a split decision against Juan Manuel Marquez a fortnight ago. It looks to me as though there is not too much left in the tank.
He seems to be having trouble with dedication and commitment. He is a fantastic fighter, a superstar of the game, but there comes a time in a boxer's career when you get fed up of being hit in the head.
When that happens, it is the day you start to die as a fighter. Only the fighter knows when that moment arrives, when that one punch too many has landed.
Remembering when that day came for me and looking at Pacquiao against Marquez there were a couple of moments when I thought: Hello, has Manny crossed that line?
Furthermore I'm not sure Pacquiao can hold weight at 9st 4lb (super-feather), never mind the 9st 9lb lightweight limit.
His walk-around weight is much higher, of course, but that is totally different to fighting shape. Super-feather is probably as high as he would want to go ideally, but he has this yearning for the four-division champion label.
He might not get past Diaz even. Everyone will pick him but it would not surprise me to see Diaz stop Pacquiao at lightweight.
That would then open the door to Khan versus Diaz. Either way the year is shaping up beautifully for Khan, who is certain to start setting the world agenda just as powerfully as he does at home.
Next Friday Jon Thaxton hopes to throw his hat into Khan's ring by beating Yuri Romanov for the European lightweight title.
Thaxton priced himself out of a duel with Khan last year. Beating Romanov is his last throw of the dice regarding Khan, who he is trying to smoke out with this bout the night before. And that won't be easy. Romanov is a top-class fighter, younger and driven, so he is taking a big gamble.
Thaxton did not look great against Dave Stewart in defence of his British crown. He's tight at the weight and not getting any younger. Romanov is clever and has Khan in his own sights.
Facing the European champion, whoever that might be, remains an option for Khan given safe passage against Kristjansen.
But after watching him beat Gairy St Clair, Khan is probably eyeing a world title shot sooner rather than later. Khan came of age that night.
Hmmm:think