(Photo credit: Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions) By Robbie Bannatyne: We learned many things from the Amir Khan vs. Chris Algieri fight last night. Chiefly, Algieri is way better than we thought while Amir Khan is definitely not as good as he thinks he is.
Also, if you were watching the bout on Box Nation you will have discovered that scoring a boxing match is a highly subjective business. Far from being the mismatch many fans perceived the fight to be, it was a closely fought and competitive contest which the Bolton boxer did just about enough to win. I personally agreed with the judge who had it 115-113 in favor of Khan, although I would not have complained if the contest had been declared a draw. It was that close.
Algieri was clearly undeterred by his underdog status. From the outset the native New Yorker looked comfortable in his supporting role, and if he possessed a little more power in his punches he may have ripped up script and become the star of the show, leaving Amir Khan with the taste of the canvas, rather than success, in his throat cavity.
It’s not so much that Amir Khan didn’t look good as the fact he just didn’t look that great against a fighter who was apparently tailor made for his talents. While Khan’s chin was able to answer the questions posed by the punches of Chris Algieri, it is abundantly clear why Khan is being kept away from big punchers: his defence is still very fragile. Although his new trainer has ironed out many of the flaws in his pupils fighting style, even the supremely knowledgeable Virgil Hunter will never be able to eradicate Khan’s vulnerability entirely. But in essence that is what makes Amir Khan entertaining- the value for money lies in his vulnerability.
In a perverse sense, the flaws in his style may be the main reason why Khan gets the fight with Floyd Mayweather Jnr. If Algieri was able to so frequently find a home for his right hands then Mayweather will take a mortgage out on Khan’s left temple. The counter left hook from Mayweather could also be a prime weapon employed to pierce through Khan’s porous defence. You can almost see the points for Mayweather pile up on the judges’ scorecards.
Still, Khan’s blinding hand speed allied to his ability to execute crisp and accurate combinations could cause Mayweather some problems, in the process providing some excitement for the fans. Having said that, both fighters’ proclivity for clinching and head locking their opponents could erode the entertainment value of the contest. A robust referee who can retain control is a pre-requisite if Mayweather and Khan are to face each other.
Yet as far as the fans are concerned, Khan had to win decisively against Algieri to deserve the Floyd Mayweather fight he so craves. Having failed to dominate the action, fans will say he failed his final audition and is no longer worthy of a big money bout against the sports pound for pound best fighter.
However, I highly doubt Floyd Mayweather himself will see it that way. On the contrary, in fact. I feel the weakness showed by the British boxer will have whetted Mayweather’s appetite for a fight with Amir Khan.
Thanks for reading. I look forward to reading your comments.
Fight Fans: Do you think Khan will get the Floyd Mayweather fight?
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