Amir Khan: Belt Around His Waist, Eyes On Greater Prizes

[Dave Rado]

By Jake Donovan - To the average fighter, winning a major title means the pinnacle of his career. If nothing else pans out beyond that, he can always go home saying he once reigned as champion. [details]

Why doesn't the article even mention Maidana? Khan hasn't yet proved that he can cope with a puncher and he needs to face Maidana after Salita in order to prove that, and thus to prove whether he's a credible champion. And the WBA has already announced that Maidana will be Khan's next mandatory, so it would look like a blatant duck to many people if he doesn't face him next (unless he faces Bradley in his next fight).

At the least the subject should have been brought up, IMO. Did you do the interview yourself, Jake?

Also, I find it odd that the article doesn't mention the fact that Salita has done nothing to justify his mandatory status, which I think is comparable to when Gary Lockett was made Pavlik's mandatory - an outrageously corrupt ranking. Salita is only ranked #58 by boxrec, and he is not ranked at all by any other independent ratings body.

[JakeNDaBox]

Why doesn't the article even mention Maidana? Khan hasn't yet proved that he can cope with a puncher and he needs to face Maidana after Salita in order to prove that, and thus to prove whether he's a credible champion. And the WBA has already announced that Maidana will be Khan's next mandatory, so it would look like a blatant duck to many people if he doesn't face him next (unless he faces Bradley in his next fight).

At the least the subject should have been brought up, IMO. Did you do the interview yourself, Jake?

Also, I find it odd that the article doesn't mention the fact that Salita has done nothing to justify his mandatory status, which I think is comparable to when Gary Lockett was made Pavlik's mandatory - an outrageously corrupt ranking. Salita is only ranked #58 by boxrec, and he is not ranked at all by any other independent ratings body.

The article was based on quotes he offered during a conference call held yesterday. So yes, you can say I did the interview.

Maidana's name came up as did several other junior welterweights. I brought up Bradley/Peterson because it takes place a week after Khan-Salita and it would represent a fairly big fight in 2010.

I also mentioned that Salita is untested and that few give him a chance to win. The article wasn't about whether or not Salita merits a mandatory ranking, but where Khan plans to go now that he has a belt around his waist.

It's also worth noting that Maidana's next opponent is even worse than Salita. Just saying...

[Dave Rado]

Maidana's name came up as did several other junior welterweights. I brought up Bradley/Peterson because it takes place a week after Khan-Salita and it would represent a fairly big fight in 2010.

I'd like to see him pushed by interviewers on whether he is willing to fight Maidana next. Fighting the Bradley/Peterson winner next would be great, but it may not be possible and there is no other option other than that which even compares with Maidana. And Roach has made some rather worrying comments recently that imply Khan may duck him. So I think he should be put on the spot to clear that up.

I also mentioned that Salita is untested and that few give him a chance to win. The article wasn't about whether or not Salita merits a mandatory ranking, but where Khan plans to go now that he has a belt around his waist.

Fair enough.

It's also worth noting that Maidana's next opponent is even worse than Salita. Just saying...

Yes, but he doesn't hold a belt, and he is Khan's next mandatory, so that fight is just a tune-up. It's understandable that in those circumstances he wouldn't want to take any risks whatsoever. He's just keeping his powder dry for a big money fight with Khan.

I don't blame Khan for fighting Salita either, by the way - he had to, or he'd probably have been stripped. I just think that the fact that the WBA made Salita a mandatory is so outrageous that it deserves comment in any article about the fight.

[theplayerpimp]

I like what I'm hearing from Khan just now.

He's stated that he wants all mandatories for his strap, and wants to unify the LWW division.

If he sticks by his word and comes out on top then it will have been a truly remarkable turnaround for him.

sike he would knocked out by maidana.

[Syf]

Khan: "I'm looking towards greater prizes"

Bystander: "Look its Prescott!"

Khan: *chin twitches*

[JakeNDaBox]

I'd like to see him pushed by interviewers on whether he is willing to fight Maidana next. Fighting the Bradley/Peterson winner next would be great, but it may not be possible and there is no other option other than that which even compares with Maidana. And Roach has made some rather worrying comments recently that imply Khan may duck him. So I think he should be put on the spot to clear that up.

Here's the thing... you ask a fighter about a future challenger while he's training for a fight and the automatic response will be "I'm focused squarely on this fight and nothing else." Especially when said proposed challenger comes with little upside.

I remember two questions being asked about Maidana. Khan didn't brush off either one, but was also rather lethargic with his response. Not hesitant, but also with a tone suggesting that it's a fight but not a particularly big event.

Salita, as undeserving as he is, does carry a bigger name. The irony in both fighters (Khan and Salita) refusing to allow this fight to be about a ****** facing an Orthodox *** is that Salita's religious practices and background story have EVERYTHING to do with why he's a name, because it certainly hasn't come from achievement. But the fact is that he's an easy sell, especially overseas, given the amount of press already dedicated to his career.

A more appropriate time to ask the question will be immediately following December 5, at which point he (or any other fighter in his position) can no longer use the excuse of "focusing on so and so"

Yes, but he doesn't hold a belt, and he is Khan's next mandatory, so that fight is just a tune-up. It's understandable that in those circumstances he wouldn't want to take any risks whatsoever. He's just keeping his powder dry for a big money fight with Khan.

Well technically, Maidana is an interim champ, and for those who honor all belts, this would qualify as - and in Argentina is being treated as - a "world" title defense. If Khan dumps his belt, then Maidana is upgraded to regular champ.

I don't blame Khan for fighting Salita either, by the way - he had to, or he'd probably have been stripped. I just think that the fact that the WBA made Salita a mandatory is so outrageous that it deserves comment in any article about the fight.

I agree, and when I write an article solely about the fight itself, you have my word that plenty of it will be dedicated to questioning Salita's credentials.

[El_Cholo]

We dont know that...He had a gash in his head bigger than the grand canyon. I guarantee outcome would have been different if that wasnt there. We all know he got robbed. There were not enough rounds to say oh man Barerra is getting dominated. With a cut like that your game plan changes drastically. Its not like it was a cut. It was gash! Plus Barerra always has a punchers chance. Im not say Barerra would have won but it may have been more competitive and outcome could have been different.

forget the excuses for christ sake.

Barrera was and will still be too slow for Khan.

[Dave Rado]

A more appropriate time to ask the question will be immediately following December 5, at which point he (or any other fighter in his position) can no longer use the excuse of "focusing on so and so"

True - I hope he's pushed hard on the subject by interviewers at that time.

The upside for him, IMO, is that beating Maidana convincingly would settle once and for all the doubts about whether he has the ability to beat people who can punch. It would massively improve his credibility as a champion, and would make him more marketable as a result.

A bit like Cotto made himself more marketable by taking the Clottey fight - even though that fight wasn't seen as a big money fight in its own right, it helped seal his reputation as someone who wants to test himself against the biggest challenges available, regardless of money or risk. As a result, he landed a mega-fight with Pac immediately afterwards.

Well technically, Maidana is an interim champ, and for those who honor all belts, this would qualify as - and in Argentina is being treated as - a "world" title defense. If Khan dumps his belt, then Maidana is upgraded to regular champ.

Well I don't know any boxing fans who think interim belts have any real value, and the fact is that if he took a meaningful fight now, when he's Khan's next mandatory, he would be putting a career high payday against Khan at serious risk. Look what happened to Ortiz when he did that! I don't blame him at all for taking a tune-up in those circumstances.

I agree, and when I write an article solely about the fight itself, you have my word that plenty of it will be dedicated to questioning Salita's credentials.

Thanks.

[JakeNDaBox]

forget the excuses for christ sake.

Barrera was and will still be too slow for Khan.

Not to mention that light welterweight will be one division too many for Barrera. He looked borderline fat in his two comeback fights at/close that weight and even at 135 doesn't appear to be a good fit.

I don't see any happy ending for him with a Khan rematch or really against anyone else of note at 135 and beyond. He's led a great career, just go back to the sidelines and wait five years for the call to inform of your HOF induction.

[Phatfarm1980]

Salita will be a good test for khan. If khan has a few more fights with good world class opposistion he should be able to make good progress. Still, anybody has a punchers chance when fighting amir!