(Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Why Amir Khan’t be complacent!
Young Amir mustn’t underestimate tough Ukranian Kotelnik,
writes Dan Hunter
Make no mistake about it - Amir Khan´s July 18th challenge for Andriy Kotelnik´s WBA junior welterweight title at Manchester’s M.E.N Arena is no forgone conclusion.
22 year old Khan will start as a firm favorite to win his first world title, but the Hamburg based Ukrainian is tough and durable, with a wealth of experience both as an amateur and a pro.
We UK fight fans know all about young hotshot Amir Khan, the good-looking kid from Bolton who fights like a young Oscar De La Hoya. We know how he seems huge at his weight, dwarfing all of his opponents, and overpowering them with a relentless combination of speed and power.
We also suspect, but don’t like to dwell on, the possibility that his chin might be less than concrete.
Just two fights ago, Khan was knocked out in 54 seconds by the oddly named but vicious punching Colombian Breidis Prescott. By any reckoning, this was a crushing setback. Khan appeared to have a serious flaw in his boxing makeup, one that would hamper his aspirations of reaching the very top.
Let´s take a closer look at what happened that night less than a year ago in Manchester.
Both fighters came out fast, gloves held high. Both men are tall for lightweights, but Khan looks much bigger than Prescott.
Twenty seconds into the fight, Prescott catches Khan high on the temple with a scything left hook. From that moment on, the fight is effectively over; Khan’s equilibrium is completely shot, and from there on in he is fighting on instinct.
Seconds later, a defenseless Khan is caught by another of those hooks. If you haven’t seen the punch, check it out on Youtube. You can watch it in slowmo if you so wish. Look at the amount of leverage Prescott gets on the punch before it connects. That punch would have finished off any lightweight in the world.
Khan went down in a heap, but amazingly, got straight back up! If this kid was indeed fighting on instinct, what proud, brave fighting instincts he possesses.
The fight should have been stopped, but Khan’s resolute manner despite his brains being scrambled, coupled with the enormity of the event contributed to the referee allowing Prescott’s final assault, and one final devastating left hook.
Amir Khan doesn’t have a glass jaw. His chin is fine. A vicious blow to the temple will incapacitate the most durable of fighters.
Cast your mind back to two of a young Mike Tyson’s best victories, against Trevor Berbick and Larry Holmes. Both these men possessed sound chins. Berbick in particular was known for his durability.
A Tyson left hook to the temple late in the second round knocked Berbick down THREE TIMES! If you don't believe me, check it out.
As for Holmes, it was the fourth round of their heavyweight title fight, and Larry was finally up on his toes and bouncing around the ring until a booming right hand to the temple floored him. He was up at four, and then staggered around like a drunk in a storm until another right knocked him out cold.
There is no defense against a blow to the temple!
After the Prescott disaster, Khan’s promoter sacked
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