I still think he needs another 2 fights around the Molina level to keep working on things as he looked the same Amir Khan he's always looked, fast hands, exciting, very aggressive and entertaining, but shipping easy shots.
I did like his in fighting and exchanging on the inside, where he would have once looked for space and distance, he was happy to throw uppercuts and body shots. He needs to stop leading with uppercuts though...in fact, there are many things he needs to stop doing, but i dont know if he will ever be able to fully change who he is.
I still think being with Virgil is one of the best moves he could have made though
No, and he won't imo.
I though believe there is a misconception about Khan and his "improvements".
We can expect are adjustments, so that to make the "same old " Khan effective, not a change of style.
You cannot have Mayweather fighting like Rios,not effectively at least, and vice versa.
Such a change would have been possible if Khan was a 19-20 years old amateur, but asking professional boxer and previous belt holder to change everything he has done so far is unrealistic.
He will always look the same, what Virgil will try to do is, in my opinion, have Khan use his jab more effectively and avoid some unnecessary, counter-productive combos. Learn some insight fighting, to use in cases of "emergency" so to say, and most notable maybe, avoid to be countered too easily (by a left hook in particular).
In the best case scenario we might see a more well rounded, disciplined boxer, who doesn't throw random combos, especially when hurt. Somebody who doesn't stay toe to toe when it's obviously a bad idea.
It's not about making Khan a defensive fighter, but about teaching Khan -some- defense.
He did looked faster, i was watching the Garcia fight and compared it to Molina, Khan came out faster than ever, which could bad or good.
He was jabbing more than i have ever seen him do
few other changes
nothing to dramatic, yet, will see next fight, 8 weeks will not do much
He was more patient, otherwise it's too soon to tell. Although, I'm really not one to give a trainer that much credit for a fighter's growth. Four years from now we can sit here and be like wow look what a wonderful job Virgil has done...yes and no, four years from now Khan should be better than he is today under any trainer. We're too quick to disparage a trainer or reward them - A fighter is supposed to learn from his mistakes with time, especially one of Khan's current age.
Really we're going to need to see him against legitimate competition before we can make that call properly.
Saw some attempts at inside fighting though. That's sort of promising, as long as he doesn't try to rely on it :lol1:
roach flurries.
Sounds like the worst trip to McDonalds ever.
It's not verifiable but to my eyes Khan somehow looked faster. Probably just an optical illusion.
He measured his attack a bit more. Although I don't think it was the sort of improvement his fans might have hoped for. He was still getting caught with counter punches when he would jump in. Molina seemed to time the very first check hook he threw with relative accuracy. Fortunately for Khan they were pea shots.
yah he did look a whole lot faster..but other than that he seemed like the same old reckless fighter.
He looked a little more patient but then again, he was fighting a guy that doesn't punch hard so his ego never got properly activated! We shall see!
IMO if he gets clipped hard, Virgil will scream to hold etc... Khan seems to be listening mostly.
Hes got some black slickness in him which is what he needs. Get that slickness flowing and get rid of the cornball that he got from freddie the joke coach roach.
He did seem a bit more patient on the attack and a little smarter on the inside, but keep in mind they had only been working for one training camp (8 weeks). That is not a lot of time to correct bad habits.
We'll know more the next time Amir fights.
he is still obessed with that 5 punch combo that can no longer hurt any semi-elite fighter at 147. Head still up there to be hit with the left hook. Go ahead and snatch that belt from Malinaggi.
Looked the same. To be honest he was lucky molina was a light puncher and way overmatched because he still got caught with big shots.
The thing with Khan is he is not the most difficult to time despite his amazing speed. He is very predictable with his attacks. It kind of looks like he tries to be too fast for his own good. He throws this 4 punch combos with absolutely no power and the opponent only has to swing to clip him on the chin because he has no head or upper body movement.
He used to just ride the jab and then fire at will, in his last fight he stuck behind the jab and followed it up...he's thinking about what to throw instead of just out speeding everyone with roach flurries.
It's not verifiable but to my eyes Khan somehow looked faster. Probably just an optical illusion.
He measured his attack a bit more. Although I don't think it was the sort of improvement his fans might have hoped for. He was still getting caught with counter punches when he would jump in. Molina seemed to time the very first check hook he threw with relative accuracy. Fortunately for Khan they were pea shots.