Saturday 27th may was billed as the return of the king, amir khan faced off against julio diaz.Little was known about the 33 year old mexican,except he held a record of 49 fights 40 wins and 8 losses,and he was heavy handed.
The fight itself I thought,was thoroughly entertaining.First few rounds khan boxed from the outside,getting in and out quickly,landing 2-3 punch combos,but at the same time not waiting around for diaz to catch him.The hand speed which we know khan has was blinding at times.Khan never hurt diaz but he was scoring.Round 4 was when the momentum changed,a left hook from diaz had khan on the canvas,and although he got back up,he barely survived.
Rounds 5-11 were pretty much khan starting well using his jab,then during the middle of the rounds khan brawling with diaz,with diaz landing some heavy shots especially the 8th and 10th which had khan badly hurt.Credit to diaz who was stalking khan at times with no fear,and the fact that he knew he could hurt khan must have spurred him on.
Khan won via decision and I'm sure he was breathing a sigh of relief at the end of it.But make no mistake this was a fight khan was meant to win,and win in an impressive manner.He was supposed to show how he has developed under hunter.Yet we saw more of the old khan,the khan that fights fire with fire when in trouble.We did see tiny glimpses of a new khan but not enough.
I honestly can't see khan changing,although its only been 2 fights,a leopard can't change its spots.Khan will always be that fighter who prefers offence to defence.This is also what makes him a viewable fighter.His fights are guaranteed to be exciting.
What we learned:
1)Khan still has time,but it looks like he will always be that fighter who loves to brawl.
2)The hand speed is still there,but it seems the power has gone.
3)Under roach he was a better offensive fighter,under virgil he's been rained in.
4)Khan WILL hit the canvas again.
5)Khans chin isn't as bad as people think,he took a beating throughout in the diaz fight yet still survived.
6)He may need to move up a weight class.
Thoughts on the fight??
What we learned from Khan vs Diaz?
posted on 2/5/13
Good summary Vik
1)Khan still has time,but it looks like he will always be that fighter who loves to brawl.
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This will always be his achilles heel. Diaz said after fight that Khan made every mistake he prepared for but at times he default to the plan which is not to counter punch but recover.
2)The hand speed is still there,but it seems the power has gone.
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It's been a while since Khan last hurt someone. He doesnt have the power.
3)Under roach he was a better offensive fighter,under virgil he's been rained in.
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Still early days under Virgil but his offensive nature lead to him getting caught by the left hook.
4)Khan WILL hit the canvas again.
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He sure will. He needs to work on his balance and movement still.
5)Khans chin isn't as bad as people think,he took a beating throughout in the diaz fight yet still survived.
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Being chinny was always a myth, his problem has always been a weak defense.
6)He may need to move up a weight class.
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Rumours going that he might the winner of Alexander and Purdie at 147.