By Jake Donovan
Amir Khan is well aware of the challenge in front of him, as well as how little of a chance he is being given according to the court of public opinion.
It’s hardly unfamiliar territory for the 32-year old Brit, who embraces the underdog role ahead of his April 20 showdown with unbeaten pound-for-pound entrant Terence Crawford.
“I’m not taking this fight lightly; I know I can win with my boxing skills,” Khan (33-4, 20KOs) insisted—repeatedly—during a recent media conference to discuss their upcoming ESPN Pay-Per-View headliner at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. “This is the time when I can prove myself—and prove everyone (else) wrong.”
Khan has never shied from an uphill challenge, even dating back to his serving as the lone member of the 2004 Great Britain Olympic Boxing team. Just a 17-year old amateur at the time, he advanced all the way to the lightweight finals before having to settle for a Silver medal in falling short versus Cuba’s two-time Olympic Gold medalist Mario Kindelan.
Fittingly, his storied amateur career ended with by avenging the defeat one year later before turning pro in 2005. His 14-year run in the pro ranks has seen its ups and downs, enjoying a unified title reign at super lightweight but his chin serving as a detriment in his biggest fights.
Three of his four career losses have ended inside the distance, including a one-punch knockout at the heavy hands of World middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. The May ’16 155-pound catchweight bout marks Khan’s lone defeat in nearly seven years, a stretch which includes a perfect 5-0 run as a welterweight.
Still, the thought of pursuing a battle with Crawford (34-0, 25KOs)—an unbeaten three-division regarded by many as the very best in the world today—didn’t exactly resonate with those who remain faithfully by his side, but who saw easier money to be made.
“When this fight was presented to me as a big pay per view event, I accepted with (open arms); my team didn’t agree with me as much but this is the fight I wanted,” Khan admits. “Terence is a skilled fighter and I do very well against skillful fighters. I’m probably the bigger guy in this fight and who’s been in the division longer. Normally I’m the smaller guy.”
Khan didn’t boast any real size advantage in wins over a trio of former titlists in Luis Collazo, Devon Alexander and Chris Algieri to help maintain his relevance in the welterweight rankings. He’s struggled, however, to rediscover his place among the division’s elite since returning to the ring last April following a two-year absence.
Not helping matters was his getting dropped in another otherwise dominant showing in outpointing Samuel Vargas last September. Nor does it have anyone racing to bet on his chances of unseating Crawford, who attempts the second defense of his welterweight title.
“People might feel that with my lackluster fight against Vargas that I’m the big underdog,” Khan acknowledges, although attributing such complacency to fighting down to his level of opposition, which won’t be an issue against the supremely gifted Crawford. “In this fight, I have to be on my A-game and can’t make any mistakes.
“I’m not going in there thinking I’m the bigger and stronger fighter. I’m going to use my skills. That’s what’s going to win me the fight, my skills, not my power. I’m going to win with skills and my boxing IQ.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
