A Look Forward to This Weeks Boxing

clip_image006By Shane Newsome: With again another packed schedule on both sides of the Atlantic we have busy cards in UK, USA but also action from Argentina and Germany with fights not to be missed, so let’s take a look at what we have in store.

First we go to Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK and the main event Amir Khan (27-3) vs Julio Diaz (40-7-1) this fight should just be another stepping stone for the 26 year-old Brit even a Diaz in his absolute prime should be easy work for someone as skilled as Khan look for him to get Julio out of there around the mid-late rounds anything else and maybe Khan will deserve the criticism he will most definitely receive, if he does win this fight in easy fashion like expected you would hope he would now step back up to world level and try and avenge on of his recent defeats like he has talked about, we will soon see.

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Khan’s trainer: Julio Diaz is a dangerous rival

diaz33By Scott Gilfoid: Virgil Hunter, the trainer for former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan, sees his opponent Julio Diaz as a serious threat to Khan in their fight this Saturday night in Sheffield, UK. While the vast majority of the boxing world sees Diaz as just another past his best opponent that was hand-picked by Khan’s promoters for to look good against, Hunter sees Diaz as still being a high quality fighter of the first order.

Hunter said to the telegraph.co.uk “Julio Diaz is not just an opponent. He’s a serious two-time world champion, a dangerous rival, and should be respected as such. He’s a formidable foe…this is not just a comeback fight; this is a tough championship fight.”

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Khan vs. Diaz this Saturday, April 27th, in Sheffield, UK

khan1By Scott Gilfoid: Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) will be fighting this Saturday night against Julio Diaz (40-7-1, 29 KO’s) in what should be Khan’s last tune-up fight before he’s thrown back in with the sharks of the light welterweight division.

If Khan gets past the 33-year-old Diaz then he will have had two easy fights to build up his confidence to get him ready to start fighting the quality fighters in the 140 lb. division. If Khan can’t cut the mustard again then Golden Boy Promotions is going to have to seriously consider cutting him loose unless they’re okay with him being a gate keeper/Euro level fighter.

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Khan vs. Diaz: Don’t be surprised if Amir gets knocked out again

khan45By Scott Gilfoid: Golden Boy Promotions has done their homework in digging up 33-year-old Julio Diaz to face Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) this month on April 27th the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, UK. Golden Boy doesn’t want Khan to be knocked out again, so they’re in the rebuilding stage with him putting him in with guys with little power or who are too old to beat him like Diaz.

However, even in this case I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Khan gets knocked out because Diaz does have a little bit of power going for him and he’s a lot more skilled than Khan’s last opponent that Golden Boy dug up for Khan in Carlos Molina.

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Khan: My fight against Julio Diaz could be one of my last in the UK

khan432 - CopyBy Scott Gilfoid: British boxing fans better hurry and snatch up tickets for the April 27th fight between former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) and former two-time IBF lightweight champion Julio Diaz (40-7-1, 29 KO’s) because Khan is saying this is one of the last times he’ll be fighting in the UK.

The Khan-Diaz fight will be taking place at the Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, and the fight involves a bout where Khan is fighting another 2nd tier fighter instead of an actual contender.

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Khan: If I get hurt by Diaz I’ll keep my technique

khan33By Scott Gilfoid: Former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) has taken heat for the way he sometimes doesn’t do the right thing when he’s been shook up by a big punch. Instead of grabbing his opponents to try and hold on until he recovers from the shot, Khan has tried to keep slugging.

Khan got away with this in his fight against Marcos Maidana in 2010, but it may have cost him the fight last July when he was stopped in the 4th round by Danny Garcia after being badly hurt in the previous round.

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Khan: I can’t afford to lose to Julio Diaz

khan222By Scott Gilfoid: Former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) is in a position where he can’t afford to get beaten again and he’s well aware of that. Khan has lost two out of his last three fights and if he gets beaten this month by Julio Diaz (40-7-1, 29 KO’s) on April 27th then it’s pretty much over for Khan.

He might as well hang up the gloves and look for another line of work because another KO loss would send a message loud and clear that his chin just isn’t made for the upper levels of the game.

Khan, #2 WBA, #5 IBF, said to the dailymail.co.uk “I can’t afford to lose again – I’d be destroyed. I needed someone like Virgil to tell me straight how it is.”

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Nate Campbell vs. Terry Flannigan on Khan-Diaz undercard on April 27th in Sheffield

campbell46344By Eric Thomas: Former IBF/WBA/WBO lightweight champion Nate Campbell (36-10-1, 26 KO’s) will be dropping back down to lightweight to face unbeaten prospect Terry Flannigan (19-0, 5 KO’s) in a scheduled 10 round bout on the undercard of the Amir Khan vs. Julio Diaz card on April 27th at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, UK.

Campbell, 41, was soundly beaten in his last fight against unbeaten welterweight contender Kevin Bizier in an 8th round stoppage last February. It was a big mistake for Campbell to agree to move up from light welterweight to take on the bigger, stronger and younger Bizier in the 147 pound division.

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Julio Diaz: I’m not Carlos Molina; Khan’s team made a mistake in choosing me

diaz55By Scott Gilfoid: Former IBF lightweight champion Julio Diaz is considered to be a huge underdog in his fight against former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (27-3, 19 KO’s) this month on April 27th at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, UK. Diaz, 33, has been picked out specifically to be a sacrificial lamb for Khan to slaughter in this fight.

Diaz said to Sky Sports News: “They think it’s a safe fight, for him to come back and rebuild his career and his confidence. He took on Carlos Molina in his last fight…If they chose me for Amir to look great in his hometown. I think it’s the worst mistake they made.”

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Will Amir Khan Ever Rise To The Top?

khan45By Rumel: Bolton’s superstar, Amir Khan, returns to the ring at the end of the month to face seasoned-veteran, Julio Diaz, as he looks to rebuild his career.

But the question remains – will he ever reach the top he so badly desires? Losses against Peterson and Garcia hurt his career just as he was about to enter the golden spotlight, with talks about a possible fight with Floyd Mayweather.

How things suddenly change in the space of a few months. If we take a look at his fight with Peterson, there’s no doubt in my mind that Khan won this fight. I felt the refereeing was unfair, and perhaps slightly biased. But in my opinion, Khan did enough to win a points decision. However, the fact remains, Khan did struggle against an opponent who many feel, along with myself, is not a world-class operator.

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