Khan-Kotelnik: What Does Amir’s Choice of Opponent Say About Him?

[The_Visitation]

I’m finding it hard to see Amir Khan’s (20-1, 15 KOs) choice of WBC light welterweight champion Andriy Kotelnik (31-2-1, 13 KOs) as his next opponent in a favorable light. Oh, yeah, the name of the game is getting a title shot above all, but when you do it by jumping out of your own division (lightweight) to find easier pickings elsewhere, it seems as if you’re trying to pull one over on the boxing public....................what do you guys think ????

IMHO he is still learning, Khan thinks he is still learning and Roach thinks he is still learning. People seem to forget Amir is still only 22, what's the fr*gging hurry? There are a great many boxers you would never accuse of those things who waited much longer before fighting opponents of Kotelnik's - or even Prescott's - class. Sure, there are guys out there at both LW and LWW that would beat Khan now.. but if he keeps fighting and keeps learning I'm far less sure they would beat him in two or three years time. So why fight them now?

I'm not so sure about 'jumping out of your own division' either; Khan is tall for a LW without lacking a good physique and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he stayed at LWW. A move up was inevitable at some stage.

[BetterCallSaul]

I don't know why people hate on Khans level of opposition.

Your first ten fights are supposed to be easy, and ease you into the pro ranks. After that, Khan has fought solid names.

Limond (Knocked Khan down)
Lawton
Earl
Gomez (Knocked Khan down)

All of the above are solid domestic names. Two knocked Khan down and had him digging deep, while Lawton gave John Murray a good fight (2 years after Khan beat him), and Earl gave Katsidis a scare in his previous fight. So to say Khan is cherry picking his fights is off the mark. All of the above fighters were worthy competitors at the time, and a couple of them had Khan in bad trouble.

After that he fought

Prescott (KO'd Khan in the first round)
***an (Tune-up)
Barrera (A very dangerous and worthy fight)

His next fight will be against Kotelnik who is very good and technical boxer.