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This is world class risk for learner Khan
Barry Mcguigan 02/02/2008
This is a tough fight for Amir Khan - and a big risk. I commend him and his team for taking it.
If I were managing him, I'm not sure I would have made the same move.
I was 26 fights in before my first bout against a former world champion, Juan Laporte, a lot more mature and developed as a fighter.
Gairy St Clair does not have tremendous power but don't think for one minute that he can't punch.
Khan learned against Willie Limond that if you make a mistake you get punished.
St Clair is a more capable fighter than Limond and has fought in a higher class, albeit mostly at super-featherweight of late.
I would be amazed if Khan gets St Clair out of the ring early. He is slick and has never been put down or stopped. Diego Corrales bounced shots of his chin and couldn't move him.
Neither could Vivian Harris. St Clair was equally comfortable against Leonard Dorin, another world champion and fully fledged lightweight.
I would not read too much into recent defeats, two in his last three fights, or his age, 33 today. He held a world title at super featherweight in 2006. St Clair is seriously dangerous.
If Khan goes out there trying to bomb him out early, he could easily get nailed himself.
This is Khan's 16th fight. He has gone ten rounds only once. He has not had the experience of going ten hard, fast rounds against a world class opponent. Khan could encounter real problems if he starts to tire in the last quarter of the fight.
I advocated a bout against the British champion Jonathan Thaxton. That would have been a stiff test. This is a much bigger test, a challenge and a half.
Just look at St Clair's record. After four fights in his native Guyana he was up in New York learning the hard way, taking on all-comers.
He lost to Corrales in an IBF super-featherweight eliminator, then a year later took on Harris at a pound below the 140lb light-welterweight limit.
His next four fights were all a pound either side of the 135lb lightweight limit, including the loss to Dorin.
He then went out to Australia, where he helped the great Kostya Tszyu prepare for a number of world title defences, and went five years and 21 fights unbeaten himself.
Khan must be circumspect. He has to show control and patience, use his fast jab and pick St Clair off. As St Clair begins to tire in the later rounds then Khan can open up.
If Khan impresses against a fast hitter like St Clair, maybe even wobbles him, has him over, then you would have to claim it as a world-class performance.
I don't think that is going to happen. I believe this guy will be in the bout. He might even leave us with our hearts in our mouths.
Tonight is not about winning, it is about how he wins.
We will learn a lot more about Amir tonight, believe me.
..................................
from today's 'Daily Mirror'
Barry Mcguigan 02/02/2008
This is a tough fight for Amir Khan - and a big risk. I commend him and his team for taking it.
If I were managing him, I'm not sure I would have made the same move.
I was 26 fights in before my first bout against a former world champion, Juan Laporte, a lot more mature and developed as a fighter.
Gairy St Clair does not have tremendous power but don't think for one minute that he can't punch.
Khan learned against Willie Limond that if you make a mistake you get punished.
St Clair is a more capable fighter than Limond and has fought in a higher class, albeit mostly at super-featherweight of late.
I would be amazed if Khan gets St Clair out of the ring early. He is slick and has never been put down or stopped. Diego Corrales bounced shots of his chin and couldn't move him.
Neither could Vivian Harris. St Clair was equally comfortable against Leonard Dorin, another world champion and fully fledged lightweight.
I would not read too much into recent defeats, two in his last three fights, or his age, 33 today. He held a world title at super featherweight in 2006. St Clair is seriously dangerous.
If Khan goes out there trying to bomb him out early, he could easily get nailed himself.
This is Khan's 16th fight. He has gone ten rounds only once. He has not had the experience of going ten hard, fast rounds against a world class opponent. Khan could encounter real problems if he starts to tire in the last quarter of the fight.
I advocated a bout against the British champion Jonathan Thaxton. That would have been a stiff test. This is a much bigger test, a challenge and a half.
Just look at St Clair's record. After four fights in his native Guyana he was up in New York learning the hard way, taking on all-comers.
He lost to Corrales in an IBF super-featherweight eliminator, then a year later took on Harris at a pound below the 140lb light-welterweight limit.
His next four fights were all a pound either side of the 135lb lightweight limit, including the loss to Dorin.
He then went out to Australia, where he helped the great Kostya Tszyu prepare for a number of world title defences, and went five years and 21 fights unbeaten himself.
Khan must be circumspect. He has to show control and patience, use his fast jab and pick St Clair off. As St Clair begins to tire in the later rounds then Khan can open up.
If Khan impresses against a fast hitter like St Clair, maybe even wobbles him, has him over, then you would have to claim it as a world-class performance.
I don't think that is going to happen. I believe this guy will be in the bout. He might even leave us with our hearts in our mouths.
Tonight is not about winning, it is about how he wins.
We will learn a lot more about Amir tonight, believe me.
..................................
from today's 'Daily Mirror'
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