By Scott Gilfoid: LA Times writer Lance Pugmire is reporting that Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is highly interested in matching Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) with Josesito Lopez (30-5, 18 KO’s) for Khan’s next fight in April. Khan ended his two fight losing streak last night in beating lightweight Carlos Molina (17-1, 7 KO’s) by a 10th round stoppage at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles.
Boxing fans were hoping that Khan would attempt to avenge his loss to Danny Garcia, but Schaefer is thinking of making that fight later towards the end of next year. Lopez is the one that Schaefer wants for Khan next.
Lopez looked pretty horrible in his last fight against WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez last September. Lopez started off well, but he ended up getting bulldozed by the bigger, stronger and younger Alvarez in a terrible mismatch which saw Lopez hit the deck three times in the fight before it was finally halted in the 5th round.
Lopez got his name on the map with his 9th round stoppage win over former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz last year in June.
Compared Molina, I think Lopez looks great, but I don’t see him as a great fighter. He’s not in the class of Danny Garcia, Lucas Matthysse and Lamont Peterson at 140. Those guys would all beat him, but I can’t blame Schaefer one bit for not rushing to put Khan in with anyone really dangerous because the natural conclusion of putting Khan in with someone really good would be Khan getting knocked out again.
Khan looked slightly improved last night but still pretty much the same fighter he’s always been. He’s still there to be hit in every round, and if he faces someone with power it’ll be lights out. I don’t care if he hits and runs more now than he did in the past, he’s still really easy to hit because he still likes to throw flurries and he’s easy to time when he comes forward looking to throw left hooks and right hands.
Khan should be able to beat Lopez, but it won’t be easy because Lopez will make it tough for a couple of rounds before he starts falling over like he did against Alvarez.
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