Khan Defeats Kotelnik, Captures WBA light Welterweight crown
July 18th, 2009
By Jim Dower: 2004 Olympic silver medalist Amir Khan (21-1, 15 KO’s) easily defeated World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Andriy Kotelnik (31-3-1, 13 KO’s) by a 12-round unanimous decision tonight to grab Kotelnik’s title at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester. The final judges’ scores were 120-108, 118-111 and 118-111. Kotelnik, 31, never really was competitive in the fight. Khan, 22, had far too much speed and was able to get the better of him in most of the exchanges in the fight. Khan stayed on the move and easily picked off the slower Kotelnik, who seemed at a loss what to do against the constantly moving Khan.
Khan skillfully stayed on the move in the first three rounds, hitting Kotelnik with a steady rain of punches to the head. The differences between Khan’s blazing hand speed and that of the slower Kotelnik was startling, and it became apparent early that Kotelnik wasn’t going to be able to get the better of Khan when exchanging shots with him.
If Kotelnik was to have any chance of winning, he was going to have to hope to catch Khan with a big shot or else pressure him a lot and hope to wear him down in the second half of the fight. Kotelnik had little luck landing any power shots in the first two rounds.
By the time that he would close the distance and try to land, Khan would hit him with a quick combination and then move out of distance. Early in the 3rd round, a frustrated looking Kotelnik charged after Khan and hit him with a good four punch combination to the head.
It seemed then that Kotelnik might have come up with a new strategy on how to make contact with Khan. However, it wasn’t to be, as Khan continued to move laterally and started pumping in more jabs and powerful left-right combinations that often stopped Kotelnik in his tracks, preventing him from moving forward.
In the later part of the 3rd round, Kotelnik was able to land a series of combinations, finishing the round strong. In the 4th round, Kotelnik pressured Khan continuously in the round and hit him with some hard shots. It looked as if Kotelnik was starting to figure out how to beat Khan.
In the 5th, Khan began to use more lateral movement and was able to frustrate Kotelnik, keeping him from landing his harder shots. In the meantime, Khan laid down a steady flow of jabs and lightning fast two punch combinations to the head of Kotelnik.
Near the end of the round, both fighters stood toe-to-toe trading big shots back and forth with Khan getting the better of the action. In rounds six through eight, Kotelnik was able to land a handful of big power shots. However, to his credit, Khan took the shots without any problem and answered back with fast combinations.
The shots that Khan took were some very respectable punches and if he really did have a glass chin like some people have been saying about him, he surely would have gone down from one of them. Khan’s speed and work rate was far too much for Kotelnik in these rounds, and the fight was turning quickly into a full route. Kotelnik didn’t have an answer for Khan’s speed and the movement made it even worse for Kotelnik.
In rounds nine through twelve, Khan began to tire out some and was getting hit a lot more than he had been earlier in the fight. Kotelnik landed some big shots in each of these rounds. However, he was never able to land more than two shots at a time because Khan would move away from him and drill him in the face with jabs and fast 1-2 combinations.
Kotelnik’s right cheek was swollen by the end of the 9th, and his face was reddened from the many shots that Khan had landed in the fight. Khan focused on throwing jabs in the last three rounds and avoiding big exchanges with Kotelnik. In the 11th and 12th, Kotelnik landed the better shots as Khan, knowing he was well ahead in the fight, was using the last two rounds to box and move.
In the end, Khan fought the perfect fight against Kotelnik. Freddie Roach, Khan’s trainer, came up with an ideal plan on how to beat the Ukrainian fighter. However, I think Khan could have beaten Kotelnik even without Roach’s help, because the talent difference was far too huge between the two fighters.
After the fight, an exuberant Khan had this to say: “I proved everyone wrong (those who said that Khan would never be a champion). I felt so strong. He caught me with some good shots. I’m sure he [Kotelnik] can come back and become champion again. I had to box him. I had to pick my shots. I couldn’t afford to make a mistake, because in the later rounds I did tired. My work rate was huge. He didn’t hurt me. I felt his pressure. Freddie [Roach] told me to stay composed. Don’t start hooking with him because that’s when you get caught. I just stayed composed and kept boxing him and touching him. I never doubted myself. I knew it was going to be a tough to come back and prove the critics wrong. “
Tags: 57 Responses to “Khan Defeats Kotelnik, Captures WBA light Welterweight crown”
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Khan will meet another past it legend next.
Erik Morales.
Jeffry, my point was not to knock Khan. He is coming along very nicely and despite the big hiccup with Prescott has shown he has the desire to come back.
My problem is with boxing ‘world’ champions who are clearly not the best fighter in the division yet are lauded as heroes (see the mainstream British Press coverage). The Ring magazine no longer recognises any world champions in their rankings and simply structure the ratings on ability and history.
Being a world champ is not what it used to be. By my count there can be nine champs in each division (IBA, IBF, IBO, IBC, WBA, WBC, WBF, WBO, WBI) which is awful.
And the moment he loses to a true contender, you’ll e spitting him out and asking him to retire just like Hatton.
KHAN WILL BE IN THE LP4LP LIST…but NEVER as the top dog. Funny how you guys believe beating a fodder to be paper champion equates to being a future lp4lp champ. Shows who the fairweather fans are.
Khan should fight Maidana next.
Khan should fight Maidana next.
jeffry,you sayin khan should only face fighters who aren’t at their peek then?Let me explain how it works,you fight for a world title then have to defend it,if you are at your peek or not don’t come into it,when you get to the top you are there to be shot at.If your good enough you’ll stay there,unfortunately khan isn’t and i expect the reign to be short lived,it almost laughable that this has happened anyway ,and how can you build towards a big khan fight,it likely to end up in tears by some nobody ko’ing him like prescott did,freddie roach can only do so much,but once chinny always chinny and future p4p king,you outa your mind bungle,i mean zippy,sorry,jeffry!
His 22 his not at his peak yet he will learn more and more i don’t see why he should fight mayweather or someone like that when they are at their peak, best boxing fights happen when boxers are at their peak for e.g. Hatton vs Mayweather and more money is made aswell, financially it doesn’t make sense to throw Khan in straight away the more the fights are built up as Khan progreses the more money he will make. It’s cash common sense. Add that with the fact Khan is future p4p Champ you get the full package. Madiana who beat a “future star” ortiz was beaten himself by Kotelnik and as well all saw got schooled by Khan who fought his first major fight at light welter weight. Give credit where it’s due and just respect Khan you don’t have to hate him!
Now Khan won a match, now fight the man at 140 and he is Zab Super Judah next. When Zab beat Matthew Hatton then Zab deserve a shot at the title that Khan got. Khan vs.Zab great fight to see.
Are you all stupid or what, Khanz 22 he still has alot to learn in boxing why would you throw him in with big bangerz? Just face the fact that Khan is going to be best pound for pound in couple years how hard is it to accept?!
The Douche is unfortunately right. Kotelnik was rated at No.5 by The Ring before this fight so Khan has hardly beaten the best just yet guys. And if he fights Morales that is just pathetic. Erik was over the hill years ago. Khan may be a world champ but he’s got Mayweather, Cotto, Pacman and Marquez rated above him. What chance he takes on one of them? None – until they are 40 and finished…
So the brits replaced a paper champion with another paper champion…then issue a challenge to Morales. That really goes to show the kind of boxer Khan is.
matt w,you just don’t like it that i slate guys like froch and praise genuine class (although maybe i did overdo the froch thing.)
anyway i only give constructive critism
those who expect kotelnik will win or ko khan are very frustrated to death… they cant accept the result of the fight… thats why they bringing their frustration in putting down khan… saying khan is weak… his chin is made of glass… he will ko in the next fight…
you’re making another words to eat guys…
khan is only 22 years old and still more to learn… more to improve…
smoked a few blade. i’m not saying he’s a good as or has anywhere near the skills that calzaghe had.
but his speed before power pitter-patter punch approach to the fight was similer.
easy hacksaw jim,the show wasn’t worth a fiver and as far as he reminded you of calzaghe????I take it by time the fight started you’d had a few!
oli-you need to grow up little boy,anyone could talk big online,your an idiot and i suspect a little closeted.
khan looked quality and totally outclassed the guy, reminded me of calzaghe a little bit.
anthoney small & billy joe saunders also looked class.
the show wasn’t worth the £15 though.
Are Khan’s people serious about lining up Erik Morales as his next opponent?
Do they think the fight fans are a bunch of F**king mugs??
Morales,great fighter that he was,is all washed up.
He’s lost his last 4 fights FFS.I wouldn’t pay a penny to see that fight.
You can bet that they’ll only put Khan in with Ricky Hatton if they’re completely convinced Hatton’s a shot fighter!!
Enjoy the moment Rubber Legs Dad,but when you finally take your tongue out of Khan’s arse,just come to terms with the fact that Khan’s reign as champ will be short one.
All the khan willy smokers need to settle back down, hes still not beaten a world class puncher his own size. They want morales next?? That tells u all u need to know. Khans a paper champ end of story
Calm down davey boy id slap u stupid mate, why are u getting a hard on coz khan won? hes still not fought anybody and it wasa boring fight. All thats been proved is that amir khan can dance around outpoint but not hurt the slowest weakest and worst world champion out there.
Beat witter, holt, torres, bradley, or campbell and il respect u. In other words go to america and take a hard fight for a change
Well done amir khan…
Ive never been a big fan but you did well.
I hope you take on a big name next… someone like Ricky Hatton or Junior Witter.
I would pay to see you fight Witter
You never proved you were the best lightweight in britain. You avoided the best british lightweights. Now dont avoid the best british light-welterweights.
Give your fans a real fight.
he’s done what he wanted too and got himself a world title.but as soon as he fights someone who can punch you always feel he’s gonna go over!!i’m pleased he won coz he’s a good lad and a good role model i just wish his whiskers were stronger!!
congrats to amir khan of bolton, man. england. but you still got along way to go. keep it up!
u have 2 say well done 2 khan but theres no going bac now he will hav 2 fight his mandatorys tough young hard hitting hungry fighters no more hand picked powder puff punchers and old veterans past there best how so long will he remain champion the clock is ticking
And Amir Khan lost to a guy who lost to a 40 year old Taxi Driver Hahaha!!
No-one cares if it was on in the US or not Adam, his next fight will be now!. Ok fair enough Kotelnik is not a puncher but Khan stood his ground, although Khan seems to have little power. He boxed pretty well. The US is massive and the UK does well considering our size, we get labelled as hyping up fighters and being deluded when you are just the same, and you do it whether you have champions or not so p off. Prescott lost last night so he isn’t invincible either.
Yeah well done do you fancy a rematch?? I will knock you into next week and back again you F!”king joke!!!!
Im giving Khan cresit, im just sayin my heart WAS in my mouth everytime he took a big shot.
And if he really wants to be all he can be the level of opponants is only guna keep improving, bigger hitters who are faster and smarter than Kotelnik await. Known KO artists and all that.
This wasnt the fight that proved everybody wrong about his chin or his full potential, this was the fight that opened the door to invite him to join the elite. Hes gotta bit of work still to do.
What they gonna do with khan,he got the easy bit done in beating the worst of all the champions so whats the next move?I don’t think he’ll go back down to lightweight so then you look at the possible fights and i expect a cushy first defence then what,hatton,urango,maidana or cambell would surely all ko him and you look up and see mosely,cotto,clottey,pac man,mayweather etc.Get ready to see the most protected world champion of all time!
Well done Amir Khan. He fought the perfect fight and won by a landslide. Ive always been criticle of his chin but in this fight he did take shots and seemed to deal with them so hopefully the added weight and new defensive skills are paying off. Amir Khan love him or hate him he has massive massive ability and I for one am really pleased for him for not only winning the WBA belt but the manner he did it. WELL DONE AMIR…!!!!!!!!
GREAT FIGHT BY KHAN. THAT WILL SHUT ALL THEM HATERS UP LIKE OLI. ROACH IS THE BEST TRAINER IN THE WORLD! OLI AND ADAM ARE PRICKS
“I think Khan fans are guna have that heart in the mouth moment for the rest of his career. Every single time Kotelnik landed i held my breath. The chin problem is just a plain cold fact.”
khan got hit with some good shots last night,didnt budge him,if his chin was that suspect he,d of been eating canvas,,he answered everything that was thrown at him ,out worked and outclassed kotelnic,what more can u ask for,he won every round and looked comfortable doing it,kotelnic isnt the biggest hitter or best out there but hes no mug either,,,khan made it look easy,,,honestly if khan knocked pacman out next week (lol,which wouldnt happen,,but theoretically)people would still find a reason to slate him,,give him credit when its due, ,,,well done khan,
OMG the brits are even asking do you think Khan can take on Mayweather??? These dumb limey’s never learn do they?
EVEN HATTON WILL KO KHAN.
Khan is not respected by his peers or the Boxing community. He has fought the easy route by passing even British Champions to fight what is undoubtfully the worst Champion in Boxing today Kotelnik. I suppose it’s Campbell or Holt next or anyone who can’t hit hard.
THE VERY 1ST TIME KHAN STEPS FOOT IN A RING AGAIN WITH ANYONE WHO HAS POWER HE IS GETTING KO’D.
HIS CHIN IS MADE OF GLASS.
p4p Khan,are you seriously suggesting Khan has even a remote chance of beating Mayweather?
LOL,how deluded you are,you’ll be telling us he can beat Pacquiao next!!
I love to suck big black coks
congrats and good luck to your next fight!
I dont care what people say, khan boxed buatifully , it was a boxing lesson for all. Khan can now become the next superstar of the sport, He should make a voluntary defense aagaisnt presscott and then face midaana, if he beats those two he will then be ready for the big guns, lets be honest you yanks , how is bradley or urango better then khan he can unify this diviosn. I have to say people like marquez and mosley i would not risk khan with, i would like too see khan win a title in the lightweight divsion after doing all that work there, also would any1 think khan could take mayweather as mayweather hates the jab and thats khans best wepon
Next fight:
KHAN vs ORTIZ
what a great fight that could be
wel khan just stuck to the gameplan all night hit and get out! and it payed off big time, wel done!
Ps lovin all the bitter Yank comments now. Thats all the confirmation you need that Khan fought excellently.
I dont think Khans chin is that weak either, he just used to get caught a lot because he had no defence and if you get caught often then sooner or later you’re goin down.
Did Tyson have a weak chin because Douglas put him down? Its a bizarre boxing theory that if you get knocked down you must have a weak chin. Same with Haye and Klitchko, these guys just got caught with great shots because of poor defences, not weak chins.
Great performance by Khan, did exactly what was required, though I dont think he landed a clean enough shot all night to put Kotelnik down.
I dont think Khan’s chin is as bad as we thought, he took some full on blasts from Kotelnik last night and stood his ground.
GREAT TO SEE ENGLAND HAS YET ANOTHER WORLD CHAMP!
respect 2 khan, dont like the way got his shot at the title. i dont think he will hold it 4 very long.
khan should fight hatton now
I think Khan fans are guna have that heart in the mouth moment for the rest of his career. Every single time Kotelnik landed i held my breath. The chin problem is just a plain cold fact.
Personally i dont think he should EVER go back down to Lightweight. He was never guna stay one, hes way too big and the move up looked very easy for him, hes put the weight on perfectly and thats even guna help his chin (a bit).
Adam the reson this fight wasnt shown in America because Americans dont seem to care about anything that doesnt involve Americans. They show alot of South American fighters because theres so many living in America and they still show the Klitchkos becuse the Heavweight scene is just about hanging on to its reputation of being the most exciting of weights.
Amir did what the doubters wanted, and look, still some of you throw the shots. What the hell do you want? How embarrassing you desperate words of hate look when read back you children.
Let the boy enjoy his moment. He took four or five good clips to the jaw throughout the fight, they didn’t phase him at all. He got hit. He boxed with speed, class and respect for his opponent.
A little less caution and he could have really steam rolled him, but why risk it. Also his movement and dodging of some of the thick heavy shots thrown was top class. It’s going to get harder from here on in, but no one said Kotelnik was going to be easy beforehand so don’t try saying it now, so let Amir enjoy this moment he deserves it. Idiots.
I think that Amir boxed superbly but also CAUTIOUSLY as if Kotelnik was a knockout puncher which we know he is not, I dont Khan has much faith in his chin, i dont want to take anything away from his performance but his opponent Kotelnik is slow-footed, Kendall Holt, Tim Bradley and Ricky Hatton are all quicker and harder hitting than Kotelnik and it leaves a tough risky road for Amir, good jab and defence though.
Kotelnik was the weakest champion Khan’s people could find at either 140lbs or 135lbs.Hope all the Khan fans make the most of this moment ‘cos as soon as your boy fights anyone half decent he’s gonna be out cold on the canvas!
Wow look at all the Brits jumping on Khans nuts. Kotlnik is a nobody. The fight was sht.,boring as hell. Khan is a joke and will have the Ricky Hatton syndrome. He barely wins fights with nobodies then gets his azz put in the hospital when he fights a real boxer. This fight was so exciting that it wasn’t even televisied in the States.LMFAO. Khan is a fkn btch, try fighting someone worth a sht next time..
every has slagged khan of so badly on this site saying he useless, no chin etc…..
now look at ya, all gnna give him credit now are ya?? which i hav always sed he deserves by the way. i love it when punks like thisn eat thier words, u watch in in-flux of pro khan comment now! dam americans, u make me sick
kahn boxed so well stuck to the game plan i dont think he had the power to stop kontelnik to be honest, whos next for khan then?
Great fight. Freddie has made Khan into a try fighter. He’s done wonders with the kid!
king khan well done pride of bolton,bring on the americans now its mgm grand time.super performance by khan,stuck to gameplan,i would have liked khan trying to finish him but no one has stopped kotelnic ever,he was bamboozled all night ,he had no answers ,he was outboxed by a 22 year old who kotelnic said was a boy yeeh really,freddie is the daddy,big repect to artiza who had khan in magnificent condition,he was fresh all night long