Khan looks solid in beating Alexander

By Mohamed Horomtallah - 12/14/2014 - Comments

By Mohamed Horomtallah: Amir Khan is a new and improved fighter at 147 pounds. He looked solid and spectacular in the two bouts that he has fought in the division so far. He dominated both fights and looked spectacular last night against Alexander.

So what changed so dramatically ? First, the move up in weight. At 140 pounds, Khan was dead at the weight, struggling to loose pounds thus coming in weaker. At 147 pounds, he seems more in his element.

Second, his decision to leave Roach for Hunter is proving to be a wise move. Roach is a great coach but his teaching is solely based on offense and was not suitable for Khan. He didn’t or couldn’t find a way to make Khan fight smarter, using his boxing skills without exposing himself to be hit unnecessarily. That’s what the sweet science is all about : hit and not get hit!

Khan should’ve never allowed Garcia to connect that left hook to the neck, which would’ve knocked out cold the vast majority of the top welterweights and still, he was up on his feet before the count was up and finished the round. If Khan fought Garcia the way he fought Alexander, he would’ve embarrassed him even  worst. Roach just did not or could not fix Khan’s defensive problems nor did he improve his ring IQ.

Trainer Virgil Hunter is just what the doctor ordered as far as Khan’s boxing career is concerned. His coaching fits Khan perfectly. Hunter is a world class trainer and a great defensive coach. He is molding Khan to be a complete boxer. He’s teaching him how to focus and be patient, how not to stand in front of his opponents for too long and how to punch and get out of the way. He is gradually correcting all the flaws that Roach didn’t and it’s starting to pay off big time.

Khan so far has a perfect record  at 147 and he looked good in both fights. His skills and speed are scary and with Virgil Hunter constantly improving his defense, mindset and overall game, he’ll keep rising to new heights.

Hunter is a master with a great deal of experience and a total knowledge of the sweet science, therefore, when he speaks, we should listen.

Virgil has been speaking a lot lately and he was saying this : Amir Khan has not reached his full potential yet! He went on to explain to whom might be interested in listening that Khan will become one of the greats provided he puts in the effort and dedication.

After last night, most boxing experts agree that this version of Amir Khan could beat any fighter at 147 so do most fans, hardcore fans that is. Khan is a resurrected fighter at 147 which is now obvious that it is the perfect weight for him. Hunter is bringing him balance and maturity and will continue to improve him on a daily basis because he commands the respect that make Khan listen to him and obey his instructions.

I tend to agree with Hunter with respect to Khan having the potential to become of the great because greatness is not measured by a perfect record or tremendous power but rather by the ability of a fighter or any athlete for that matter to turn things around after a cruel loss and improve to bounce back and reach the top.

The loss to Garcia was a blessing in disguise because it made Khan realize that he needed to leave Freddie Roach and led him to Virgil Hunter who is cooking up the recipe for Khan to be the lord of the rings because judging from last night, we might have just witnessed the return of the King.



Comments are closed.