Lightweight Looks Good To Me

Based on recent results, can there be a more exciting division in boxing than lightweight right now? Just think about it. Casamayor was supposedly shot. Now he's the champ again. Nate Campbell was a decent never-was, now he's one step away from unification. Juan Diaz was supposed to be unbeatable, now he's one dimensional. Katsidis was supposed to be a monster, now he's been KO'd by an old man. No-one knows if Amir Khan is the real deal or a protected fraud, and thats not even considering all the other contenders in and around the weight. With the best welterweight (Mayweather) basically not fighting at the weight, and the rest of the division now looking like a "best and the rest" scenario with everyone playing catch up to Cotto, and the stars of light heavy beginning to age and endlessly rematch each other, for me lightweight is the division I'm going to be following most closely. I genuinely believe anything might happen, so I think predictions are difficult, but for what its worth, here are my opinions: Casamayor is demonstably not what he was, he's not done, but he'll lose his title to one of the younger guys in one of his next two major fights. Juan Diaz will get his titles back if he faces Campbell again. After that I think he gets a tough time from either of Katsidis or Khan. Katsidis, following his loss, looks to me an even more credible fighter. As of right now, he should be the guy the others fear most. If he learns from his mistakes against Casamayor and becomes a little more circumspect he will go on to have an excellent career. Khan, assuming he is not actually packing the most delicate crystal, looks the best long-term prospect of all. If he fought Katsidis today, I think he loses, but it's by no means definite. A little way down the line, with experience added to his natural gifts, I think he could become a dominant force. Against Campbell, Casamayor or Diaz, I actually think he has a better chance right now, but I still think he should take another fight or two first. The fight I most want to see is Khan/Katsidis which I think would be about four rounds of non-stop action. Since I don't want to see Khan beat though, I am (reluctantly) prepared to wait. Thoughts? lightweight is probably the most exciting division right now, especially if/when valero, pac, guzman and jmm move up. casamayor is spent... katsidis just isn't that good... juan diaz's lack of power is a huge detriment... nate campbell won't reign past 2-3 fights unless he cherrypicks a little.

I didn't see it, but I think its possible, but not right now. Khan is a big lightweight to say the least, and offensively appears to have everything you need and then some. We'll have to wait to find out if his chin can stand up to the kind of punishment Pacquaio's left would deliver. I truly hope Amir is not over-protected by Warren. It doesn't look like it so far, but that might change once he has established himself. I think in tough divisions like that boxers should be prepared to accept a few losses. In Khan's case, surely fighting Pac would be better for him than not doing, whatever the outcome. I dunno McGuigans concern was about Pac's size. Starting out at flyweight he is fighting much bigger guys. Physically stronger. It wasn't a knock on Pac, only that he has gone a weight class too far, and probaby two weight classes outside his best weight and he's older and has achieved all their is. He said David Diaz might get him. Khan would dwarf Pac. If he beats Diaz I see know harm in Warren trying to target him Even if Khan loses....so what. He's 21

i dont now have good katsidis is but khan should fight him see where he is and then if he wins should go and fight for a world title

He said Pacman is now less focused and has little left in the tank and is there for the taking. I'd Pac Khan against him really, he has loadsssssssss of physical advantage. Warren needs to make the fights for Khan. His next fight after his next needs to a world title challenge or at least a european title. He has to be bursting at the seams at lightweight. I prefer to give Pac a bit more respect than that. Its not outside the realms of possibility that Khan beats him, he does look potentially amazing, but we just saw in Katsidis/ Casamayor what experience can do to talented inexperience. Another problem I have is that if we're picking Khan to beat Pacquaio, its tantamount to saying he's a p4p #1 contender and should get in the ring with Floyd! Khan still has a LONG way to go before he should even be mentioned in the same breath as fighters like this. Potential is just that, potential. Good as Khan looks, he hasn't done anything yet to merit these kind of claims. ________ HONDA XL100

I didn't see it, but I think its possible, but not right now. Khan is a big lightweight to say the least, and offensively appears to have everything you need and then some. We'll have to wait to find out if his chin can stand up to the kind of punishment Pacquaio's left would deliver. I truly hope Amir is not over-protected by Warren. It doesn't look like it so far, but that might change once he has established himself. I think in tough divisions like that boxers should be prepared to accept a few losses. In Khan's case, surely fighting Pac would be better for him than not doing, whatever the outcome. He said Pacman is now less focused and has little left in the tank and is there for the taking. I'd Pac Khan against him really, he has loadsssssssss of physical advantage. Warren needs to make the fights for Khan. His next fight after his next needs to a world title challenge or at least a european title. He has to be bursting at the seams at lightweight.

Anyone see Barry McGuigans article yesterday. He thinks Amir Khan would beat Pacman. shocker. I trust McGuigan.....dude is nearly always right. I didn't see it, but I think its possible, but not right now. Khan is a big lightweight to say the least, and offensively appears to have everything you need and then some. We'll have to wait to find out if his chin can stand up to the kind of punishment Pacquaio's left would deliver. I truly hope Amir is not over-protected by Warren. It doesn't look like it so far, but that might change once he has established himself. I think in tough divisions like that boxers should be prepared to accept a few losses. In Khan's case, surely fighting Pac would be better for him than not doing, whatever the outcome. ________ Chevrolet delray

135 is hot and should get hotter if Pac shows against D. Diaz he can be legitimate at the weight. A lot of people talk **** about Casa and Nate gettin lucky and how LW sucks cuz old guys just whooped the the youngsters, but it's false ****. LW is doin pretty good and should get better in 2008. I agree Casa and Nate might not have enough time left to rule for long but they both showed while they're here they can still scrap. With Pac in the mix too, it would be amazing! I think he will definitely be legitimate at the weight, which might be bad news for everybody else! ________ Voyeur dorm

Anyone see Barry McGuigans article yesterday. He thinks Amir Khan would beat Pacman. shocker. I trust McGuigan.....dude is nearly always right.

135 is hot and should get hotter if Pac shows against D. Diaz he can be legitimate at the weight. A lot of people talk shit about Casa and Nate gettin lucky and how LW sucks cuz old guys just whooped the youngsters, but it's false shit. LW is doin pretty good and should get better in 2008. I agree Casa and Nate might not have enough time left to rule for long but they both showed while they're here they can still scrap.