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by David P. Greisman - He was derided, disparaged and doubted, even though he was favored to win.
“Weak chin,” they said of Amir Khan. And they were right.
He had not only been knocked down twice and knocked out in less than a minute against Breidis Prescott, but he’d also been put down on the canvas by lesser fighters in Willie Limond and Michael Gomez.
“If Marcos Maidana catches him clean, Khan’s going to get hurt,” they said. And they were right.
A little more than a minute into the 10th round of their fight, Maidana countered over Khan’s left jab with a looping right hand, catching him directly on the chin. Khan’s right leg splayed away from him. And as Maidana continued to attack, Khan attempted to retreat with all the grace of a wounded gazelle trying to outrun a lion.
“If Maidana hurts him, the fight will be over, and it will prove that Khan has been protected, that he doesn’t belong among the best in his division,” they said.
And they were wrong.
There were three possible storylines that Khan-Maidana could follow. Khan could beat Maidana without ever having his chin tested. Khan could have his chin tested but still beat Maidana. Or Khan could have his chin tested and lose.
Khan undoubtedly would have preferred the first option, preferred that his skills and speed made for an easy night. But rare is the athlete who is so good that he never has to overcome bad moments.
The moments Khan had Saturday were about as bad as could be without being completely catastrophic. But those bad moments on one night were all the better for what is yet to come in his career.
Those moments gave Khan confirmation that he can survive when in with the best in the junior-welterweight division. And those moments will give Khan the confidence he needs if he is to thrive among the rest of the best. [Click Here To Read More]
“Weak chin,” they said of Amir Khan. And they were right.
He had not only been knocked down twice and knocked out in less than a minute against Breidis Prescott, but he’d also been put down on the canvas by lesser fighters in Willie Limond and Michael Gomez.
“If Marcos Maidana catches him clean, Khan’s going to get hurt,” they said. And they were right.
A little more than a minute into the 10th round of their fight, Maidana countered over Khan’s left jab with a looping right hand, catching him directly on the chin. Khan’s right leg splayed away from him. And as Maidana continued to attack, Khan attempted to retreat with all the grace of a wounded gazelle trying to outrun a lion.
“If Maidana hurts him, the fight will be over, and it will prove that Khan has been protected, that he doesn’t belong among the best in his division,” they said.
And they were wrong.
There were three possible storylines that Khan-Maidana could follow. Khan could beat Maidana without ever having his chin tested. Khan could have his chin tested but still beat Maidana. Or Khan could have his chin tested and lose.
Khan undoubtedly would have preferred the first option, preferred that his skills and speed made for an easy night. But rare is the athlete who is so good that he never has to overcome bad moments.
The moments Khan had Saturday were about as bad as could be without being completely catastrophic. But those bad moments on one night were all the better for what is yet to come in his career.
Those moments gave Khan confirmation that he can survive when in with the best in the junior-welterweight division. And those moments will give Khan the confidence he needs if he is to thrive among the rest of the best. [Click Here To Read More]
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