Will Khan shine against Malignaggi or miserably fail?
February 19th, 2010
By Sean McDaniel: The whole it seems in WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan being put in with former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi for Amir’s debut fight in the United States is for the British fighter to look good in winning, so as to pick up a bunch of new fans. But will Khan look good against a fighter like Malignaggi and if he does look good, what happens when Khan is matched tough? Maybe Khan’s promotional team aren’t aware of this or not, but Malignaggi often makes his opponents look really bad.
Cotto had to struggle a little more for his win over Malignaggi, but succeeded in battering him in the process. Khan may have to battle a lot harder than his management expects in beating Malignaggi, and it could come down to Khan winning a controversial decision.
In that case, I doubt Khan will win any fans. That’s the problem in facing a guy like Malignaggi. He’s an excellent counter puncher and is very good at making his opponents look like stupid oafs. Khan can’t afford to look bad in winning or losing. If he wants to win over the U.S. fans, Khan has to go to war every time and look invincible. He doesn’t just want to be a good star.
That’s the thing. If Khan ends up just barely beating guys like Malignaggi while at the same time avoiding opponents like knockout artist Marcos Maidana, then Khan may never be a huge star in the United States, even if the American public are force fed Khan on HBO telecast after telecast. There are countless examples of fighters that have been shown on HBO multiple times, yet fans remain lukewarm about them.
Could this be Khan’s fate if he fails to look good against his handpicked opponents? For a fighter to become a start, they have to be matched against the very best opponents over and over again, and they have to shine in beating them. If Khan is put in with older fighters, ones with zero power at the expense of better ones, Khan may never be the mega fighter that people are hoping he’ll be.
Tags: 41 Responses to “Will Khan shine against Malignaggi or miserably fail?”
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Did this fool just said “the real deal Chavez jr” Wow that shows how much of a boxing fan u r, LOL. No wounder y you my friend is a Khan fan.
In come the Amir Khan haters book-burning bandwagon with their false info. For one thing, where does it say anything about Khan vacating his title? He hasn’t, his last win was over Salita who was a mandatory for the belt. There is nothing wrong with him taking a money fight against a better known opponent in Paulie for his US debut, rather than face his second mandatory, Maidana, immediatley after KOing his first mandatory, Salita. He already defended his belt once, know he is taking a break for a money fight. Nothing wrong with that. Maidana will eventually get his chance. But face it, other than his power Maidana has nothing. Khan or Paulie would both easily outbox Maidana.
hey prince like the new name son !!!
Are we wanting to be taken more sereously???
Now you are (princefact) lmao!!!!!
Look prince i like you because you have a sence of humour and even when deafeated in the past lol!!!
Hey prince lets sing 1 of bradleys songs !!!! Oops he hasnt any once he gains more than 10 fans am sure 1 will be made for him lol!!!!
Blue moon !!!!!!!! You saw me standing alone !!!!!
Nice to see prince and clint back on board hms hatton.
Hey prince when is bradley going to fight devon???
Or is he guna choose lightweight nate again for a rematch then pretend to call everyone out !!!!!!!
Lmao!!!! So predictable!!!!
Come on ricky get bradley kod for the warm up match no problemo!!!!!!!
No not every boxer has to be a brawler boxing is a sweet science,but what the true boxing fans wont!!and that not you groupies!! is boxers to fight the best out there when they are a world champion and not cherry pick and side step like Kon Kan’t has done from day one.
Yo clint and ruber duki, you guys really love Ricky Hatton, LMAO!! No more debating about that dude from me, his career victories have said enough, Welcome back fellows!!!!
There only 1/2 Ricky Hatton!!!!LMAO!
LOL . . . . waaayyyyy to many Khan “ball” riders for me. This dude has not proven anything in boxing yet. This would be a good victory, but both these fights are runners with no power.
This will be a good technical battle, but as far as excitement, nothings really going to land.
Relax Amir Kahn fans! He has to continue to win fights against elite fighters, personally
I think Marcos Maidana would kill the weaker Khan, then again thats just my opinion.
Results: Khan by “boring” SD
paulii by un decision
Cheers RMC, and scrap the Chavez Jr i meant his dad. I hate Jr
I think most of te British want Paulie to win…i do… it will eb hard but I see points…it can happen
imagine if malignaggi knocked khan out. he would never ever live it down
A good choice of fight for Amir, I have Amir winning on points
Ukansodoff – As per the norm my friend I believe you have got it spot on. Could not agree more, Malignaggi will test Khan when it comes to ring craft and the art of boxing, however as you you so rightly say the real questions that need answering remain unanswered and that is the frustrating part about all of this.
Ukansodoff- did u say real deal Chavez jr?? was that a joke.
Anyway, this is still the best opponant khan has seen yet by far. Im not quite sure why tho Mallignaggi is the underdog in this. He has far better top level experience than khan has. It wont be the walk over ppl seem to think its is Khan could well win but i think it will be a split decision, and khan will look bad.
What i will say is this, if khan comes in and blows mallignaggi away early, then il have no option but to be impressed. cant see it tho
Clint,No his chin doesn’t have to be like granite against Malinaggi!! because limond Gomez Prescott have all ready exposed Kon Kan’t chin previously?so even a light punching Paulie can up set Kan’t plans as was shown when Kotelnik stagger him few time when he came in-range when not on his toes.
good test for khan!
Well one things for sure, hes guna have to shine, Im sure the American boxing market (the boxing fans) wont know his complete history but they willl know who he is and will know what alot of people say about his chin and his reputation for ducking people. Also the fact its harder to interest those fans when you are not a home fighter. You gotta be the real deal like a Cotto, Pacman or Chavez jr to excite them.
Personally i think Khan will shine, i have doubts about him and his chin but hes certainly turning into a world class boxer. So is Malignaggi but Khan is faster and knowing the American isnt the hardest puncher out there he will be able to put some meat in his own shots. Khan aint a knockout puncher but he has enough power in his flurries when hes brave enough to consistantly hurt his opponants and leaving them no choice but to take a knee at the very least.
But then even though this fight should showcase Khans clear talents it wont really answer the questions about his chin or his willingness to fight power punchers. And right now i think these questions need answering.
I’m really looking forward to this one. I this will be the first quality opponent Khan’s come up against (and no, one punch Prescott & Grandad Barrera dont count as quality).
Khan looks to be hitting alot harder, but we all know Paulie can take some punishment. (Cliche warning) But the winner will be the one that wants it most.
Rubber Ducki – Nice to have you back on board my friend!! Walking along, singing a song, walking in a HATTON wonderland!!!!
Solini – I can not argue with you there. Malignaggi may have heart but I think that heart will get him into big trouble with Khan. I can see Khan scoring numerous knockdowns before the referee either rescues him or before Khan puts him down for the 10 count!! Either way there is only one winner in this fight!!
i agree totally with clint on this one!!!!
Will someone write an article on bradley because oli gets upset about king khan been the best ha ha ha lmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Theres only 1 ricky hatton !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This will be a good test for Khan’s power and would be interesting to see how far he has come on since teaming up with legend Roach as paulie is no salita neither kotelnik..but rather is a fast and slick boxer.
For those Brits who say they hate Khan; were always used to fill the arenas wherever he fought in great britian. Not bad for a fighter who is being ‘HATED’. Not sure how that could happen?? If they really hated him..why the heck they filled up the seats..why ive always seen big and massive crowds in his fights?
Well off-course there are some twats who are ignorant and couldn’t take what Khan was offered to his nation i.e representing his country in Olympics, won silver medal, wond WBA world championship and now will be holding the union jack in States…A legend in making..hate him or love him..the kid got mojo and a charisma which not only fascinate his followers but also has captivated his so @Haters’..
Kevin- The difference is, most of Britain will be rooting for mallignaggi! Khan will never be a top fighter, hes not good enough
Nobody should listen to clint and vinboy, this pair of blue moon as clowns would swear blind that Ricky Hatton, would dismantle Paul Williams, be too strong for Cotto, too tough for Mosley, bang clottey out early, beat mayweather if hes allowed to work on the inside, and take Pacman out in 4 with a better trainer! Morons.
It will be a different mallignaggi to the disgrace who fought hatton. I say khan probably to win but only by a dodgy split decision engineered by HBO, and it wont look good.
Once the Britts really get behind a fighter hes almost certianly going to lose.As Dennis Hopper sasked in True ROMANCE “Am I lying?”.It wont be long and Khan will be gone.
ive been saying this all along dont sleep on malignaggi,for sure he couldnt bust a grape but hes got one thing amir hasnt EXPERIENCE.im going with the writer here and saying a dodgy split dec for amir.by the way love the picture never get tired if that ko!
clinton is right
@Clint…
LMAO woops I forgot about the Hatton fight. As for the Cotto fight he dropped him but Paulie is either dumb as can be or has balls of steel cause he got up and went right back intot he lions cage. Fact is the kid has heart
Malignaggi was quicker then Hatton and Cotto – only just. Amir Khan is much, much quicker then Malignaggi so I think this will be a completely different fight for Paulie.
You say Malignaggi has a habit of making people look bad… did you see what Khan did to Barrera? He won every round and literally blew him away. The less said about Salita the better really.
Khan is far to fast for Paulie and he hits clean, I predict an early KO in favour of Amir Khan.
i think khan will beat any one in light walter weight.and britsh people will spoart him
Solini – Neer seen Malignaggi get hurt??? I ask you to take a look at round 2 when he fought Ricky Hatton! Hatton had him all over the place and Paulie was hanging on for dear life!! Hatton hurt him every time he landed flush. If Hatton of old would have fought him that night then Malignaggi would have been knocked out before the mid way point of the fight!! Not to mention that Cotto put Malignaggi on the floor!!
Andy get a life mate! Just watch for yourself. Ever heard of the expression the speed kills? Khan is too fast and has good power, mix the 2 together and you only have one outcome…Khan by knockout!! Why does Khan’s chin need to be granite agaoinst a fighter like Malignaggi? Paulie couldn’t knock out my mum!! Having Roach in his corner has made him a better all round fighter and it will take a top fighter to test Amir’s chin again because his defence is top notch now. Alex Ariza has done a great job withKhan’s conditioning and has taken bulk from his upper body and put it into his legs which makes his punch resistance better than when he was at Lightweight!!
This fight is a toss up. For those that think Khan will KO Paulie, I’ve honestly never seen the guy get hurt. He’s an odd fighter in not having any pop on his punches but blessed with a hell of a chin. One can make the case that Paulie can outbox Khan, but if Khan thinks his power is going to finish off Paulie he’ll be in for a rough night
Malignaggi is a much bigger name than Maidana. That is why Khan is facing him first. If Khan beats Pauli then he has to fight Maidana who the public has never heard of. If Khan gets past both of them, then its hard to argue he’s not a championship caliber fighter. Malignaggi only has two losses and Maidana supposedly has amazing power. If Khan beats a slick and skilled boxer like Malignaggi and a power puncher like Maidana, than he will have proven he can challenge anyone at 140.
khan will destroy him paulie is so bad , the ricky hatton of old would of had paulie out of there within 4 , khan will knock him out in superb fashion between rounds 4-6
That is the problem with Amir Khan you always remember him getting dropped inside a minute against Prescott. He needs to avenge that defeat and i believe he would beat Prescott second time round and very quickly but he needs to do it now
Not realy interested in a fight against a powder puff puncher like malignaggi khan needs to stop cherry picking and gain some self respect from genuine fighters and fans alike.
Khan needs exposure and Malignaggi has the following in New York to provide that in a fight, plus a fighter up in quality in someone like Malignaggi I think at this stage of Khan’s career is a good move, this is the first fighter who Khan is fighting who has really mixed it with some big stars out there in Cotto, Hatton & Diaz, so if Khan does finish him earlier, it will make him look like he has done something that his predecessors have till now have failed in, the other good thing about this fight is that knowing someone like malignaggi, he is a safe opponent due to his lack of power to give Khan some much needed rounds before he does eventually go in with a hard hitter like Marcos Maidana or Edwin Valero as he will have to build up that stamina to comfortably be able to move and move well for 12 rounds to stay out of reach using speed to avoid those big bombs from MM N EV, Khan is only young and the optimistic way of looking at this is that a standard will be set in fighting Malignaggi as his opponents from there can only be someone better if he does emerge victorious…
British boxing fans have a genuine disslike for Kahn due to several reason, why will the US public be any different?
Khan will be too fast and hit far too hard for Malignaggi! I expect Khan to knock him out around the 6th round. And I for one would love to see Malignaggi knocked spark out in his own back yard at Madison Square Garden!! He talks far too much and when he is put in with a top level fighter he fails to back up all of his trash talk. As for the comment about what will Amir Khan do against a better level opponent.. Only time will tell but in my opinion Khan beats Maidana by knockout,Maidana is a sitting duck and Khan will hit him far too often for him to get any of his own punches off. What most people get forgetting is that Khan has the best trainer in the world in his corner in the form of Freddie Roach. Roach always has a plan and has 2 great fighters to execute those plans in Pac Man and Khan!!
Very true below i think khan will have no problems at all with paulie and roach
no that for sure.
to be honest I think this is a cherry picked opponent, Malinaggi’s only asset is speed, yet Khan is faster. Also Paul is a soft hitter and too honest really over-rated, before Hatton out-punched, out-boxed and generally schooled him he won two controversial decisions against Ngdjouda and Ndou.