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Who's to say how much he'd already learned? He spent a lot of his life in the gym immersed in quality sparring. We didn't get to see the extent of what he'd learned.
People thought they'd seen everything Valero had to offer years ago and they were proven wrong. It's my feeling that there was more still to unfurl there.
Khan has had a lot of opportunity come his way on a few fronts. Granted, he's had to put in the work to capitalize on it, but a lot of the rejuvenation of his prospects has had to do with just receiving some basic quality guidance.
It's no coincidence that the most successful fighters that come out of Britain tend to be awkward, slightly maverick fighters (even Hatton, to an extent, was not the straight eight). For a fighter who needs to be more precise, schooled, like Khan, the quality of boxing coaching in the UK is an issue.
What I think Roach has done is shown Amir how he should be fighting with the attributes and assets he possesses.
As far as actual further improvement, augmentation and adding dimensions to his game is concerned, I'm not convinced he's done that much or that he can go too much further.
I certainly believe Valero was a more natural prizefighter than Amir Khan is. Amir has a lot of heart and application, though, and I'll continue to support him against worthy opponents.Comment
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he was real raw, he still had a way to go before fighting anyone w/real technical skill like a khan or bradley. i think him an maidana would have made a good bout, two guys that like to stand in the box and exchange.Comment
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I agree that Valero may have shown up to be even better than we thought, you never know until you are tested.
Prince Naz may have lsot abit of drive VS Barerra, but he was shown up non the less. Your drive outside the ring is just as important, your opponent may be running that extra miles at 4 AM, or that little more padwork.
Valero does well in sparring, and apparently trained ahrd, but who knows how much he would have done with his mental state, and also drug use?
I agree on Khan benefiting from quality sparring, but also pre Maidana, I saw Khan doing padwork with Roach and ducking in his own way,. then Roach told him, not like that or you get a hook, do it at this angle.
I can only imagine the amount of knowledge that his is given, and not always it can show in the ring, but I do feel Roach telling him to jump to 140 was also a good move. Roach has knowledge and Amir even said he was just knocked out at 135, would 140 be a good move, and I feel it has.
Khan is the better fighter for me.
When he was younger, he looked at his corner when dropped, say Willie Limond, he didn't know what to do.
Now, I feel he knows to stay for the 8 count. Hold on for dear life when you need to.
He still lacks body movement, and doesn;t duck enough, but like Pac, he may learn it, I dunno.
He holds his hands up a lot higher and his jab seems faster and stronger to me, which he said Roach has been working hard on pre Paulie. His hands up was something Barry Mcguigan always pointed out when Khan haad his first 10 or so fights. It became a bad habit that Harrison never corrected.
He still can not deal with pressure and resorts to straight up running. I am not sure if he can learn to move effectively in a circle rather than run in a square around the ropes.
In the Kotelnik fight, he totally changed his game plan, he use to try and pressure and bully guys, but this time he used his speed and legs that took advantage of Kotelnik, but also held his hands up when backing off.
So yes, there are many flaws, but some improvements that I see. Khan is maturing for me, because the Khan at 135 would not have beaten Maidana, Paulie and Kotelnik, simply on his strategy alone. Even feather fisted Limond dropped Khan badly, and Paulie and Kotelnik probably hit just as ahrd as him.
EDIT: Also Khan rides with punches, and takes some sting outta it as well which he never use to do.Last edited by PandaKilla; 02-01-2011, 02:03 PM.Comment
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He definitely wobbled Demarco (who has a
world class chin, even as a stringbean).
I think there's al lot to be said for his heart as well. He was unfazed with that gigantic laceration on his eye. Devon or ortz would have called in an ambulance midfight.
Not to mention that these 140 guys today aren't the strongest 140 class ever. Valero would have something waiting for breadleg when he cokes in headfirst and it wouldn't be his head. Valero-chino would be worth ppv worthy. Khan would never fight valero IMO, valero is all wrong for khan, except that valero was a little on the short side.
I've seen valero display some serious skills when he's needed to. When can walk through you, he doesn't.Comment
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puncher's chance against anyone
but might not go far
power was best suited at 130
he wouldn't be the same monster hitter at 140, more vulnerable thereComment
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Wobbled maybe 3 times max. Not even that, but he got hit with a hell of a lot and hsi defence isn't good.
Valero is not hitting anyone that much other than Maidana possibly.
Valero is very open, too open when he comes in.
Khan could even hit Valero much like he tagged Paulie at will.
Demarco, a world class chin or not, I dunno, but the point is, nothing else of Demarco is world class. His fofence, defence, combinations etc...
Maidana and Valero would be exciting.
I don't know that much about Demarco, who has he faced that hits hard to prove his chin please.Comment
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