Khan V Peterson: Analysis and what’s next for Lamont and Amir?

By Boxing News - 12/13/2011 - Comments

Image: Khan V Peterson: Analysis and what’s next for Lamont and Amir?By Mohammed Nasir: Last Saturday in Washington DC, the hometown underdog Lamont Peterson became the new super WBA/IBF Light Welterweight Champion of the world after a heroic effort on a night where the new Champion appeared to be on a personal Everest. Peterson was able to negate Khan’s strength through relentless pressure and a concentrated attack to the body and did not allow Khan to have a moments rest.

In the immediate aftermath of the fight, everyone seems to have their own talking points that they have taken away. Here I will briefly analyze the fight, the major points of controversy and what I feel each fighter should do going forward.

The fight itself was an action packed 12 round encounter which was more of a battle of attrition rather than an all out war but entertaining nonetheless. Khan took the first two rounds comfortably knocking down Peterson twice in the opener, although only the second was scored as such. The fight looked to take on the typical Khan-fight pattern but when the bell for the third round rang, a different Peterson seemed to get off the stool. Over the course of the third round, a thunderous hook wobbled Khan and clearly hurt him. Khan shook his head as though to say he did not feel it but no one was fooled, I doubt even he was falling for it. He did this whenever he got caught clean and looked sillier every time.

Khan was still landing with fast combinations but Peterson did not relent. He was pressing the action and was clearly causing Khan major problems with his style. Every time Khan landed a combination Peterson would land a power punch and have the crowed ohhing and ahhing. While Khan may have landed more punches in most rounds, Peterson was dictating the pace of the bout and fighting the kind of fight he wanted to. He was landing the more authoritative punches also, several of which appeared to stagger Khan. Khan’s attempts to dance around the ring like Ali fell flat as he trenched around the ring with no style or grace, looking frightened and unaware of what to do next. He looked like he was running, not dancing.

I want to say now that I scored the fight 7-5 in favour of Khan although some of the rounds could have gone either way depending on the criteria you are using. Call me brainwashed by HBO but when a fighter lands more clean punches in a round, I give them the nod. However this is by no means a strict test and as with any other situation, context and common sense must be considered. Clearly for the above reasons Peterson was deemed to have won some of the closer rounds. This combined with the point deductions and hometown advantage gave Peterson the victory. This was by no means a robbery, just a close fight with deciding factors.

The referee has become a major focus of the fight but I do not see why. It is rare to have a referee to let someone get inside and cause problems for the star of the show and I was actually happy to see this. There was a time when constantly tying up and clinching were valid grounds for a disqualification and unless the rules changed under my nose, they still are. With regards to Khans pushing I see no controversy what so ever. In boxing you are not allowed to push. Khan did so multiple times and was warned more than once about it. Never mind the two point deductions. He is lucky he did not get disqualified.

Not many referees call out pushing and even less so clinching but this one did and Khan could not adjust. It begs the question how would great inside fighters of the past been able to excel in the modern game with the way fighters are constantly broken up? My one criticism of the ref is that Peterson did lead with his head at Khans naval several times which, given the refs strict stances throughout the fight, warranted at least a warning if not a point a deduction.

Having said that it is a shame that Peterson’s performance has been overshadowed by accusations and criticisms against the ref. Khans total lack of class in defeat was a major disappointment for me personally. Even if Khan thought he deserved the nod he should have enough sense and experience to know that once the decision has been announced, it is basically set in stone. He should have congratulated the new Champion and simply said he disagreed with the result but that’s elite level boxing for you. I follow Khan on Facebook and twitter and he has been bitching about the defeat ever since writing things like ‘cheated not defeated’. No Khan you were defeated, deal with it.

Khan said he felt as though he was fighting two people in there (the ref and Peterson) basically alleging the referee was in the tank. This kind of accusation in Football would land the maker in serious trouble resulting in at least a fine. Khan superstar antics like arranging after parties for fights well in advance and looking at future showdowns with Bradley and Mayweather cost him more than anything. If he simply learns never to overlook an opponent again, the loss would have been worthwhile for Khan.

What now for both fighters? I still rate and rank Khan higher than Peterson although ‘Havoc’ earned himself many fans with his hard fought victory. Khan needs to go all out and get a rematch immediately which will mean buckling to a number of demands which is something no one likes to do. Khan will have to swallow his pride and accept these conditions, not announce a unilateral time and date on facebook. If Khan is not granted an instant rematch, there are still plenty of options for him as I imagine everyone will want to fight him now that his lack of inside game has been exposed. Maybe even Timothy Bradley?

As for Lamont, I feel an instant rematch is not in his best interests. He should have a soft defence first to become accustomed to walking into the ring as a Champion. He should then do all he can to arrange a bout with Eric Morales (WBC) and then Timothy Bradley (WBO). If he can get through these then consider a rematch with Khan if he is still around 140. Unless the money is absurd, he stands to gain little from fighting Khan right away and I do not think the risk of losing is worth the reward (or lack thereof). Peterson has been boxing his whole life and will only now get the pay days fighters dream about, he should milk it a little as he is only 27.

Both fighters will be back and have some big nights in boxing. I look forward to seeing their careers progress but just want to end by saying congratulations to the new IBF/Super WBA Light Welterweight Champion, Lamont ‘Havoc’ Peterson.



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