By Bill Gabay: On March 14th this writer asked boxing fans the question and majority of responses were an adamant NO. Some gave the flat-out negative response while others cited reasons. Welterweight contender Amir Khan gave us another reason last week and reinforced public opinion of him.
Instead of giving boxing fans what they want – a fight with the waiting IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook or another competitive fighter (such as Timothy Bradley, Keith Thurman, Adrien Broner or a rematch with Marcos Maidana), Khan announced he would be fighting former WBO light welterweight champion Chris Algieri.
While it would be interesting to see who the better boxer between the two is, everyone knows both lack the physical power or intensity to make the fight an exciting one. It would be a fight that is guaranteed to last the distance and won by points.
Khan would be the more experienced fighter and most likely hold a slight edge, but Algieri has faced powerhouses Ruslan Provodnikov (win) and no less than Manny Pacquiao (loss).
Latest boxing news updates on camp Khan indicate that the Brit is frustrated and is wondering why so many fans reacted so negatively, if not violently, to his decision. This even includes some of Amir’s fans! But the answer stares him right in the face: If you want to fight the “top guys”, then fight the top guys. Don’t match-make. Don’t look at the sport as a business and think of longevity at this point of your career. Don’t play it safe knowing that the other guy can’t seriously hurt you.
Just FIGHT.
Fight to prove that you are what you say you are, one of the “top guys”.
Fight and show the world that you are truly a skilled boxer who is capable of winning it all.
Fight to give boxing fans what they want and deserve: to be witness to high quality boxing matches between the most competitive sluggers in the world.
Fight to destroy your opponents and win convincingly.
Fight without fear of losing knowing that you will receive more respect and admiration by giving your absolute best and going for the win in every match.
Just FIGHT.
Comments are closed.