Comments Thread For: Photos: Amir Khan Vows To Make Champs in Pakistan

[Redeaux]

How many more Pacquiao's have the Philippine's produced?

And the government helped fund Manny, a lot of guys from poverty stricken countries do not get that type of funding.

And lets be honest here without Freddie Roach, Manny would be just another boxer, the same for Khan. It took a world class professional trainer from America to take these guys to the next level and earn millions.

Without funding, without good trainers, without facilities, it's difficult for any kid growing up in the 3rd world to make it.

Yeah, after Pacquiao spent his time living on Manila streets and fighting in the daytime, well enough to be noticed by the Philippine amateur team, they gave him a 'room' and that's about it. Had to turn pro at 16 because that wasn't cutting it, and at that point he was apparently 4'11 and 98lbs, which is almost certainly due to malnutrition.

Pacquiao only got with Roach before fighting Ledwaba in the US on short notice. He'd had 32 pro fights up until that point. Saying he'd be nothing without Roach is blindness.

[Pac=Duran]

i slagged you off, coz youre a closet "pakki" hater

First of all I take exception to:

1) A grown man using the word "hater"

2) Being painted as a racist when I insult everyone who isn't Irish equally.

3) Someone using the C-word in my presence.

[Box-Office]

Why do you suppose there are so few Pakistan or Indian world champions, despite both countries having a large population?

Infrastructure.

How many Chinese World champs are out there? I mean they're all up there in the martial arts and what not.

[FrankieBruno]

Yeah, after Pacquiao spent his time living on Manila streets and fighting in the daytime, well enough to be noticed by the Philippine amateur team, they gave him a 'room' and that's about it. Had to turn pro at 16 because that wasn't cutting it, and at that point he was apparently 4'11 and 98lbs, which is almost certainly due to malnutrition.

Pacquiao only got with Roach before fighting Ledwaba in the US on short notice. He'd had 32 pro fights up until that point. Saying he'd be nothing without Roach is blindness.

A room is a big deal my man, accommodation makes the world of difference

Other kids are not lucky as that.

Like it or not Roach took Pac to the next level, he'd be nought without him

Also i am not sure what point you are trying to make? How many world champs come from Sudan? I can name many other places in South Africa...

Its about facilities, trainers, and if that culture of boxing exists.

You take India for example, yes it's a huge country, but most places dont have electricity or clean water, so do you think they will have boxing gyms LOL?

[Redeaux]

A room is a big deal my man, accommodation makes the world of difference

Other kids are not lucky as that.

Like it or not Roach took Pac to the next level, he'd be nought without him

Also i am not sure what point you are trying to make? How many world champs come from Sudan? I can name many other places in South Africa...

Its about facilities, trainers, and if that culture of boxing exists.

You take India for example, yes it's a huge country, but most places dont have electricity or clean water, so do you think they will have boxing gyms LOL?

Pacquiao was already a Flyweight World Champion before Roach got there. Sure, Roach helped him on the road to true greatness, not denying that, but to be saying he'd be 'nought' without him is demeaning, and totally overlooks the whole importance of the 'escape from poverty' struggle which the thread was talking about.

The point I originally made was that some areas of the world produce greatness in areas others don't, regardless of poverty and infrastructure, as well as with it. The subcontinent just doesn't produce great fighters, and I used the obvious example of comparisons with other poor areas, in this case, the Philippines against Pakistan/India.

[shahida TKO]

cuba is poor, yet they produce quality fighters..

why ?

coz they have a boxing infrastructure.

[FrankieBruno]

Pacquiao was already a Flyweight World Champion before Roach got there. Sure, Roach helped him on the road to true greatness, not denying that, but to be saying he'd be 'nought' without him is demeaning, and totally overlooks the whole importance of the 'escape from poverty' struggle which the thread was talking about.

The point I originally made was that some areas of the world produce greatness in areas others don't, regardless of poverty and infrastructure, as well as with it. The subcontinent just doesn't produce great fighters, and I used the obvious example of comparisons with other poor areas, in this case, the Philippines against Pakistan/India.

He would not have made it this far without Roach and the Americans...I'm sorry if you dont agree, but its true.

Khan wouldnt be worth $40 million without Roach, he'd be just another UK boxer, who won a medal. Roach shaped his boxers.

Poverty and infrastructure plays a huge deal.

Also like i said the lack of boxing culture plays a part, Khan opening up a gym in Pakistan will entice some children to the gym, its a good thing.

You are basing ur entire argument on the Philippines and the "one" world-class fighter they have produced. Philippines have a huge love for boxing by the way, this cant be ignored.

99% of poverty stricken countries struggle to produce world class boxers, India and Pakistan are not the only ones.

[Redeaux]

He would not have made it this far without Roach and the Americans...I'm sorry if you dont agree, but its true.

Khan wouldnt be worth $40 million without Roach, he'd be just another UK boxer, who won a medal. Roach shaped his boxers.

Poverty and infrastructure plays a huge deal.

Also like i said the lack of boxing culture plays a part, Khan opening up a gym in Pakistan will entice some children to the gym, its a good thing.

You are basing ur entire argument on the Philippines and the "one" world-class fighter they have produced. Philippines have a huge love for boxing by the way, this cant be ignored.

99% of poverty stricken countries struggle to produce world class boxers, India and Pakistan are not the only ones.

Again, I'm not denying that Roach didn't help Pacquiao's ascendency, but if you can't see that Pacquiao, who was already a World Champion, didn't have the goods to be shaped beforehand then you're giving far too little credit. Honestly for the record, I feel Roach both helped, but also hindered Khan's all round development. Roach is an ATG, but again, you're giving him too much credit.

Boxing and poverty have always co-existed. Yes, there are varying degrees of poverty. But certain areas of the world produce high level fighters, and others don't. The subcontinent is one of those places that doesn't, along with a significant number of sports. If you wanna make the argument that 'if they had a boxing culture...' then that's fine, but you're assuming knowledge and culture can just be born somewhere with a financial investment.

Cuba ain't making any excuses.

[mani1]

Boxing is virtually non existant in South Asia.

Though the problem is that the vast majority of those in the UK who have succeded in boxing with roots from South Asia are from the Greater Potohar area

Amir Khan, Jawaid Khaliq, Haroon Khan, waleed Din and in the Amatures Mohammed Ali who was recently robbed of a Gold medal in the European Championships all have roots from said area.

They are a tiny minority in Pakistan mainly found in the North East Punjab, South West Kashmir and South East Hazara KPK and non existant in India and ****ladesh.

Unsurprisingly the Pakistani Army is Run by Men from them areas.

[FrankieBruno]

Again, I'm not denying that Roach didn't help Pacquiao's ascendency, but if you can't see that Pacquiao, who was already a World Champion, didn't have the goods to be shaped beforehand then you're giving far too little credit. Honestly for the record, I feel Roach both helped, but also hindered Khan's all round development. Roach is an ATG, but again, you're giving him too much credit.

Boxing and poverty have always co-existed. Yes, there are varying degrees of poverty. But certain areas of the world produce high level fighters, and others don't. The subcontinent is one of those places that doesn't, along with a significant number of sports. If you wanna make the argument that 'if they had a boxing culture...' then that's fine, but you're assuming knowledge and culture can just be born somewhere with a financial investment.

Cuba ain't making any excuses.

Trust me there are many more guys who have Mannys potential, who get overlooked by the system and their predicament. Manny just happened to be one of the lucky ones, to get as far as he got.

There is talent out there, all over the world, but unless facilities and infrastructures are not put in place, we will not get the raw talent coming through, who then can be picked up by the Americans.

Cuba has a system in place, and a long boxing history.

Every nation has the potential to produce a great boxer, but without the infrastructures, trainers, government help and the lack of boxing culture, its going to be a uphil struggle to find those potential stars.

In terms of India, they have that one guy who just turned pro Vjinder Singh, who had a great amateur background. Maybe he will cut it in the pros or maybe he wont, he is 31 i think, maybe cut it a bit too late. However there is some life there, given the chance.