By Hector Gonzalez: I’m reading a lot of comments on Boxingnews24.com saying something about Khan KOing Peterson in their rematch. Not sure if people realize this or not, but Khan actually only has 1 KO on his record versus Judah and that punch was actually an illegal punch, Khan punched Judah to the body while holding down his head.

He has a lot of TKO’s none of which the opponent was wobbled, bloodied (besides Barrera and that was a head-butt), or even significantly hurt any of his opponents, many of which are actually controversial stoppages. All that to say, how is a guy that has never KO’d anyone suppose to KO a guy that not even Victor Ortiz, an actual KO puncher was able to knock out?

To boldly predict that Khan is going to some how blow Peterson out of the water is naive. First and foremost, Khan used all of his tools in their first match, the things that Amir Khan could work on improving also come with certain set backs, lets look at some of them. For example,

1.) Amir Khan Khans defense; Khan would be a much better fighter if he was comfortable taking a punch, but as soon as Khan is hit he starts back peddling, unfortunately that is not something you could teach. His only option, if he can’t physical take a punch is to constantly keep moving or running- whatever you want to call it. The only problem with that is since he is a fast paced fighter, it’s not realistic to assume that his stamina while be able to hold up constantly moving on his feet for twelve rounds. And by the way, Khan does have stamina issues, he’s stamina significantly changes from round 1 to round 3. He can’t fight backwards, he doesn’t bob his head, and he can’t fight off the ropes- his only option is to run.

2.) Amir Khan keeping the fight in the middle of the ring; Khan only looks really good when the fight is in the middle of ring, or when Khan is rushing forward, not walking forward, but he has to rush forward which even though it looks good it could work against him because he smothers his punches. Many times it’s not even the punch the lands is either his elbow of the side of his arm, look closely at both the times that Peterson went down. Peterson walks right through Khan’s punches and Khan does not know how to fight walking backwards. So how is a guy suppose to fight backwards when he doesn’t boob his head, and his only defense is to cover up his face exposing his body.

3.) Khan might not be able to win without dirty tactics; People need to realize that dirty tactics are part of Khan’s game. There is head locking while punching on the head, holding head down while punching on the body, punching on the break as well as the pushing. But there is something about Khan pushing that people need to understand, khan not only pushes his opponent but he pushes off with his elbows, and sometimes even rushes in with his elbow. During their first fight, Peterson went down a second time by Khan pushing Peterson with his right elbow. I’m assuming that if Golden Boy doesn’t buy off a referee, the referee will be watching out for all of Khan’s dirty tactics, and rightfully so. If Khan is not allowed to push, or hold down on the head specially when Peterson is pressuring him then Khan is definitely in trouble.

4.) Khan could throw more combinations; This actually might be a realistic strategy to use but there is a problem. Khan doesn’t develop any power in his punches. Khan although he looks fast, his punches’ only effect is to create distance but not to do damage, the fast flashy combinations are thrown with flat feet, no leverage from the legs and no leverage from the waist. Also, Khans hands are sometimes moving faster then his body, so his body is out of position a lot of times. I’m sure that Peterson has already thought this through, if Peterson takes a few more risks, times Khan just a little bit more he has the potential to hurt Khan in the same way that Maidana and Prescott hurt Khan.

As an observer, I actually do not see a clear strategy that Khan could use to actually beat Peterson… But there is some very clear things that Peterson could do.

1.) Peterson needs to shorten the distance; Peterson could work on getting about half a foot closer to Khan. If Peterson could get slightly closer, Peterson could actually do more damage. Peterson doesn’t necessarily have to be pushing Khan back in order to beat him, be just needs to shorten the distance and throw more punches. A perfectly timed hook with just the right distance will do a lot of damage to Khan. At the right distance, Peterson could start pushing Khan with the left jab, Khan would most likely rush forward with the double jab right cross (basically setting him up), it’s a predictable combo from Khan- if Peterson steps back at the right time he could in fact catch Khan with a perfectly timed right hook right before Khan releases the right cross, or a perfectly timed left hook by dodging the punch. He did it perfectly in round 2 as Peterson tripped on Khans foot the second time, you see the left hook land flush. Khan could actually be a sucker for running into a punches since he rushes in.

2.) Peterson needs to cut off the ring; Peterson needs to constantly be moving to his left side giving him leverage for the left hook and the right cross, as well as being able to effectively throw his left jab. Also, Khan would not be able to land his left hook. Peterson was constantly in front of Khan moving into him, Peterson needs to give Khan no room to run. Peterson needs to never be standing directly in front of Khan. And work a little bit more on his angles. As Khan is rushing in, Peterson has the advantage of being able to move to the side easier and land a cross or hook.

3.) Peterson needs to take more risk; Peterson had many opportunities to land punches but wasn’t taking the risk. His coach said it best, ‘You’re giving this guy too much credit’.

4.) Peterson could also just make the fight dirtier; Peterson should not only apply pressure. He could also be pushing Khan back just as much, pushing Khan’s head down just as much. Peterson is the stronger of the too. During clinches not only be trying to release his arms, but pushing him back, tangling him up, smothering him constantly. Even though Peterson applied pressure, he was a bit conservative in his approach- Peterson could have been more rough.

I see Peterson having a slight edge to a close fight. I just don’t see what significant advantages Khan is going to have, or what he could actually improve on to defeat Peterson. Also, you’re crazy if you think Khan is going to win via KO- slight chance, nothing is impossible, but don’t put your money on it.