Khan thinks he could have stopped Juan Manuel Marquez
March 11th, 2010
By William Mackay: World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO’s) believes that he could have stopped Juan Manuel Marquez if the 36-year-old Mexican fighter had opted to fight him instead of deciding not to fight the 23-year-old Khan. In an article at Rte Sport, Khan says “Malignaggi was the first choice but he pulled out and then they went for [Juan Manuel] Marquez. I think I could have been the first man to knock Marquez out. That would definitely have made a statement because he went the distance with Floyd Mayweather.” Khan forgets to mention Manny Pacquiao as another fighter who couldn’t know out Marquez.
Khan has never stopped what I consider a 1st tier fighter. Khan stopped Dimitri Salita, who ranked number #1 by the WBA, but I think that was a case of a fighter being positioned at the top without having ever proved that he really belongs there. At the time that Salita fight Khan, Salita had fought exclusively 2nd and 3rd tier opposition his entire eight year career. It would have been better had the WBA waited until Salita had actually beaten someone in the top 15 before they shoved him to the number #1 position.
As a result, Salita was taken out in the 1st round and looked horribly over-matched in the fight. That wasn’t because Khan is a huge puncher, but rather that Salita was way over his head in this fight. Salita is now ranked number #9 by the WBA, incredibly ranked ahead of fighters like Andriy Kotelnik and Ricky Hatton.
Khan will be fighting Paulie Malignaggi on May 15th at the Madison Square Garden, in New York, New York. This will be Khan’s big U.S. debut, and he wanted to have a star fighter like Marquez to fight, even though Marquez was beaten soundly in his last fight against Mayweather last year. It would have given Khan a fighter with a name to fight.
Marquez obviously didn’t like the idea of being used to make a name for a younger fighter and backed away from the fight, which was being set up by their mutual promoters Golden Boy Promotions. Malignaggi, 29, isn’t nearly the same fighter Marquez is, but he did hold down the IBF light welterweight title for a brief spell before vacating it to fight Ricky Hatton in 2008.
Khan thinks that he’ll be able to stop Malignaggi. He may succeed at that, because Malignaggi can’t punch his way out of a wet paper bag and isn’t much of a threat. There are better fighters in the light welterweight division with more power and raw talent. However, Malignaggi is better known than those fighters, and obviously less of a threat to dent Khan’s chin like Breidis Prescott did in 2008.
Khan says “I want to be the main attraction in American.” That’s nice. But for Khan to do that, he’ll have to fight and beat light welterweights like Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander, Marcos Maidana, and Victor Ortiz. Until Khan beats those guys, he won’t be the main attraction unless he’s marketed hard to the casual fans. Khan could in theory become the main attraction in the U.S. even if he’s matched against soft punchers for the remainder of his career.
Khan will have to have all of his fights shown on HBO or one of the cable networks, and he’ll have to have the right type of opponent that he can look good against. It might not work well for him if he’s matched against a big puncher like Maidana. In the future, Khan might be better off ditching his WBA title and fighting without a title, so he’s not forced to fight mandatory opponents.
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I honestly do not believe AK could really hurt Márquez. Quite the contrary. The issue is that Márquez always has to warm up with his oponents so it would take time before his skills could take their toll on Khan. There is also a fairly large weight advantage. Why doesn´t Amir go down in weight? To be honest, if he were to go down in weight, I don´t believe he could hurt Márquez. Yes, Amir has sparred with Pacquiao but Márquez took Pacquiao to school twice. Finally, with regards to the Pretty Boy (who I like – don´t get me wrong), Márquez came out of that fight as if it were a hard sparrung session. He wasn´t hurt because Floyd did not fight.
Regarding the anti-Márquez comments, well, we are in a democracy and this means any dummy can say what he wants abour something he or she doesn´t know.
In my book, JMM is one of the greatest boxers in contemporary boxing history.
Indeed, Marq only looked good against Pac because Pac’s come-forward, aggressive style was tailor-made for Marq during that time. And Pac was weight-drained. The weigh-in of Marq & Pac clearly showed the difference, Marq looked perfectly healthy while Pac had protruding cheek bones, etc. Pac will literally destroy Marq if they fight today. Khan will also defeat Marq and might be the 1st to knock him out.
Marq definitely ducked Khan, why would Marq have a rematch to Juan Diaz instead? He already KOed Diaz b4, a rematch is absolutely pointless, complete non-sense. Diaz has no right for a rematch, which means Marq cherry-picked the already beaten Diaz for a yet again assured win for Marq. Marq & Nacho know that Diaz’ come-forward style is tailor-made for them. Diaz never issued any challenge for another go. What cherry-pickers! Marq’s embarassing, one-sided loss to Fraud clearly showed that he struggles with slick boxers who aren’t moving forward.
And Khan is another mobile, dynamic boxer who no longer fights toe-to-toe. Khan has long reach, height advantage & good footwork. He’ll give Marq real trouble. Marq’s own trainer Nacho is hesitant to pit his fighter against Khan, he knows Khan would beat him. Heck, even Malignaggi would have a chance to outslick Marq. That’s why so many fans & writers alike have voiced for Marq to face the likes of Morales and Hatton, two already defeated fighters.
Marq is not an elite fighter anymore, he probably never was. He hadn’t fought a legitimate opponent except a weight-drained Pacquiao, a battle-weary Barrera & an aged Casamayor. The only real threat was Pacquio, and Pac gave Marq 2 grueling fights. If Marq won those fights like some claim, those would be Marq’s two, hardest, most difficult wins.
Khan vs Marq? A possible near-lop-sided decision win 4 Amir or KO loss for Marq, no doubt. If Marq & Nacho feel otherwise, they should give Khan his chance soon.
Just when fools thought that Juan Moneyel Marquez was the last great hope. He turned out to be the poorest, mobile punching bag of Mayweather. He didn’t even win a single round. The supposedly technical, skilled counter-puncher was nothing more than a walking carcass. He’s worse than dela Hoya. JMM only looks good if his opponents are coming forward, he sucks against slick boxers. He’s no boxing great. JMM is a crocodile, an alligator, a snake who wants to swallow things bigger than himself, biting more than he could chew. He overpriced himself against Morales & other boxers like the greedy dross he is. Pathetic wretch. How could you be so lame, JMM?
well first off, i think khan has an underrated chin. breidis had a lucky shot, he got careless and was punished. although i believe he can get pass malignaggi he wont go any further with a+ fighters like alexander. also he had already KOd victor ortiz in an amateur fight at the olympics.
this dude got torn in da first round has no chance vrs juan manuel marquez
Where do these guys come from?..Never in my 58 years of life have I heard so much talk. If this is some sort of trend, it has to stop. If you want to be the best, fight them, no talk no ducking just beat who ever is in your way……Kahn and Haye both have a very wierd far away stare when they start talking about themselves, is it the remnants of Mad Cow going on over there.
Time won’t tell whether Con will dominate his division…..Breidis freakin Prescott already told us!
Time will tell with khan but he will dominate this division.He never ducked maidana ,he went for the bigger name in malignaggi and probably bigger pay day.I hope Amir when he kos the magic man can get a fite with Bradley or Alexander,if they dont get a fite on themselves then go and unify the division and put all the doubters to bed.Most american boxers are over hyped who have alexander and bradley fought?Khan is arguably the fastest and quickest puncher in boxing and hits u from angles only manny and mayweather can produce.Khan is 23 and will only get bigger,better,stronger and scarily faster.TIME TO CLEAN UP KHAN.goodnight!
Con has no idea what JMM would do to him, Paulie will take him 2 school.
no one has any respect for khan anymore.
is every 1 forgeting when khan beat barrera he was in line to fight marquez for the title didnt take it moved up to fight a paper champion every 1 is going on about marquez anit good at welter like pacman but pacman hasnt fight mayweather yet mayweather might make pacman look stupid to ricky hatton some ppl say the best 140 got ko’d by floyd marquez went 12 rounds got beat bad but still went 12 rounds and is a true light weight i fink marquez would prob ko khan and A LOT of ppl fink marquez beat pacman both tmes and its on record he won more round then pacman!
Its saying something for Marquez to pull out of a fight with amir khan, wat difference does it make to him if amir makes his name out of fighting him! Marquez and his coach clearly had some doubt that there is possibility he could be knocked out but even more so lose a 12 round decision!
Amir a WISH or a DREAM doesnt make it real. WAKE UP SON.
Im a big khan fan and even I admit my patience is running thin because of the opposition he is choosing to face, I can understand a fight with malanggi to break into the world stage but after that he really needs to start fighting the real opposition otherwise noone should pay the payper view fee that he is allegedly worth.
he seems to have some delusions of granduer. his mouth is much ahead of his achievements. he needs a lot more of competitive challenge to get the respect that he wanted, a lot more than what a salita, malignaggi, or a comebacking-should be retired like barrera can offer.
… he needs to show a lot, lot more!
KHAN IS JUST A NEW CHAMPION OF THE NEW GENERATION. HE SHOULD PROVE HIS CAPABILITY OF WHAT HE SAYS HE COULD DO IN BOXING. A SILENT GOOD AND ACCURATE BOXING FIGHTER DOES SPLENDID FIGHT IN THE RING, BUT NOT HIS MOUTH.
Marquez crapped his pants at the thought of fighting Khan so he must have thought that he would have been KO’d as well!
BTW, ALL fighters talk up their chances against possible opponents. I guess its different if its Khan that does it. Its a skin thing…
A mere Con knew that Marcos Maidana could have stopped him. That’s why he ducked him.
this guy thinks he can ko marquez when pacquiao and mayweather couldn’t lol amir khan is a idiot start fighting bradley alexander and maidana then he can talk beating salita and a washed up barerra don’t make you a good fighter
Khan is the most protected fighter in the owrld. A Paer champ, a fraud and a coward.
Malignaggi will outclass this chump
and Marcos Maidana would of knock you out in the first round…
It’s the latest thing in Boxing. Guys just talk about fights that they could have had and they get press. Soon, we will be paying PPV just to hear Khan tell us why he would have been a legend.
Khan is a sick guy.. GO KHAN
Is not that we hate khan!! But he’s talkin about a future hall of famer when he hasn’t proven anythin n should be the underdog vs paulie!!!
Wow all the mouth on some of these guys, could have, would have, stop talking and start fighting…..Kahn and Haye too much talking and posturing. You will be good after you beat the good ones …..not until.
It’s still surprising…all the negativity that surrounds Amir. I hope he proves all his critics wrong, and I think he will. He’s got an amazing boxing talent, a world renound trainer and the top promoter. At 23, with a world title belt, an olympic silver medal and a victory over ortiz in the past, I’m struggling to see a way to knock Amir. Yes he got knocked out, but, honestly, do any of you really think that any lightweight would have stood up after those bombs from Prescott?
MANNY would only beat JMM is he had the advantages. PAC will win if he dictates the weight and pther things, i’m sure he wont want blood testing. PAC will never FINISH off JMM, PAC ducked the re-match with JMM so i’m sure he wont fight him anymore unless JMM fights till he’s 40 so he can be easy pickins for PAC, cause we know PAC wont fight elite fighter without an advantage
This kahn is a funny guy, if his boy MANNY could not KNOCk out MARQUEZ, why does he think he’ll be the first. He ducks fughters, but who can blame him when his coach is FREDDIE ROACH. He ducked MAIDANA so enough said. WHEN CON fights a tough guy with punching power then mayber i’ll give him some credit, but i’m sure roach will MANNY him.
manny would easly beat marquez the 3rd time !
I’d like Khan to face Marquez, just to prove this dude wrong
I like Khan he could grow in the sport of boxing but him knocking Marquez out thats crazy. Marquez gets hurt in tha ring but he does have one of the best chins in boxing. And at that weight class Marquez hits like a Mule. If anybody get knockout it would be Khan at this stage of his career.
this foo wouldnt stan a chance against the aztec warrior marquez,he would of got knocked out in the 8th or 9th round go back to england
lol prescott raped ya and u think u can beat JMM? srsly man what u smoking?
its not that every one hates him. its the fact he never made a mistake against prescott he just got hammerd by a better fighter. since then he has fought no one decent. an old & faded looking barrerra dont count. he has gone for mallinaggi cos he isnt a hard puncher but cos he is a big name. he should be fightig young fighter like himself who have the same speed n power like him, i mean who the hell was dimitri salita?
not sure about knocking out Marques but writer says khan isn’t a puncher? go and read where Marques’s trainer says khan has power + Fast thats y he dont want Marques to fight him right now.
Why all the hate for Khan? So he made a mistake against Prescott, big deal. I actually think that Amir Khan will beat every light-welterweight out there – yes, every single one.
Sure there are tough fighters and good bouts to be made but I see this guy cleaning the division up. Too fast for Bradley and Alexander, by points or TKO he will beat both of these guys. Don’t even talk to me about Maidana, he is useless.
Khan has the potential to be a top P4P fighter, I agree that he could lose another couple of fights but he has that much time on his hands that it won’t matter. Pacquiao has been KO’d twice in round 3 and was beaten on points by Morales but he came back and look at him now. All you haters are just haters and I don’t give a …. what you think, I know a future star when I see one.
‘A mere con’ have you devoted your life to insulting khan. What a loser!Btw are you an amerecon.:)
this guy is a joke just goes to show in boxing if you have the right peaple behind you you can be a champ.why didnt he fight maidana????????????????????? cos he will lose like the people behind him know.like mayweather says this is a business and i agree with him all i know is if i were a boxer i would not avoid any fighter or would i???? its all about money.it is a shame.i remember the days of been eubank watson hearnes hagler lewis tyson ect ectat least we have pac man come on clottey i allways go fopr the underdog.
Khan doesn’t hit hard? Are you serious?
It’s his defense which is lacking. He is a big puncher.
@jmm
Lmao this ng said he schooled PAC jaja did u forget who went on to be a bigger fighter and who won??? One was a tie and the other PAC won lol watch boxing and get your shh straight man Marquez is good but he isn’t the best boxer out there there are more skilled people and they ain’t as skilled as PAC
marquez would of school him just like marquez school manny
A mere Con is admitting he is a fake. A mere Con is a protected, over hyped joke of a fighter. He only wants to fight damaged, small, aging boxing legends with his cheating headbutt strategy to further his over hyped career. A mere Con would never step into the ring with Marcos Maidana, Devon Alexander, or Timothy Bradley because he knows what those fighters would do to him. A mere Con is scared to death at fighters who are still in their prime.
You think you could have been the first person to knock Marquez out?
Well, its a shame he cant say the same to you Khan. Marquez is a Brawler and would take you out very early.
You need to Fight Prescott and win good