Blogs & Opinion


Blogs:

Recent Comments:

Jeremy Morgan on Men of the Manor

"Tiger Woods will undoubtedly deliver the crushing blow to the European Team and will go down in history for doing so. As for Harrington, he has the best short game the sport has seen, ... " View all comments

Matthew Cartwright on Lagging behind

"I am sick of Liverpool fans saying Rafa Benitez is a good manager. Does a good manager buy Robbie Keane then give him back and play David Ngog instead? The answer is no. Does a good ... " View all comments

S Healey on Simply fans-tastic!

"Final run-in now Ricky, fight week is upon us. Hope your bricking it as much as me! My pre-fight nerves have kicked in and I'm not even fighting. Good luck from this side of the pond. ... " View all comments

Martin Hicks on Raising the roof

"I think you are asking Andy to tackle the problem from the wrong end. Years ago when they were the TCCB they said we don't need lights because it doesn't get dark as quickly here as it ... " View all comments

William Paice on Ready, steady, cook

"Sounds like training is going well, i think Ricky will get the knock out an become the the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world then hopefully get a re-match with Floyd Mayweather ... " View all comments

Mike Forster on The need for greed

"I think most people will side with strikers ! As watching goals being created and finished off is far more exciting than watching great defensive play ! But you can never underestimate ... " View all comments

Amir Khan and Kell Brook still have plenty to prove in ring, says Glenn McCrory

Blogs Posted 7th February 2013 view comments

Amir Khan's career is out of immediate danger and located in the recovery room.

He needed a win after beating obliterated by Danny Garcia over the summer and he got that late last year, conquering Carlos Molina in 10 rounds and showing more defensive nous than we've been used to seeing from him.

Khan: Glenn wonders if the Brit can keep curbing his wild side

Khan: Glenn wonders if the Brit can keep curbing his wild side

Molina was a pretty safe option as he was lighter than Amir and not much of a puncher, but there would have been plenty of mental scars in Khan's head after the defeats to Garcia and, before that, Lamont Peterson, so he did well to come through.

However, I don't think all the question marks he had against him have been lifted and it will be interesting to see if he can box as tactically as he did in December when he is up against a genuine threat, someone like a Garcia or a Victor Ortiz.

Amir may have had even more success as a fighter if he was less talented, because showing his full repertoire of skills has often been his downfall.

Glenn McCrory
Quotes of the week

Molina never infuriated Khan, allowing the Brit to box the entire fight in the comfort zone, but he may have more problems sticking to the game-plan, which has been drummed into him by new trainer Virgil Hunter, when he gets hit on the chin or caught by a couple of good shots.

Amir could be tempted to showcase his machismo again, so what he needs to do is get a mind-set where he thinks: 'I'll get you back in a bit' rather than: 'I'm going to splat you now'.

It's okay Hunter telling him that but he really has to believe it, because if he doesn't, the bad old habits may come out again.

It sounds funny to say but Amir may have had even more success as a fighter if he was less talented and more orthodox, because showing his full repertoire of skills has often been his downfall in the past.

Take his loss to Garcia for example: Khan was not trying to throw three good punches, he was trying to throw six and therefore lost his solid base and eventually got poleaxed.

Amir, though, can beat anybody on his day and if he remains tactically savvy those odds will increase further - but what I would really like him to do next is avenge one of his defeats to Garica or Peterson.

If he could do that, he would show to everybody that he has learnt from his mistakes, has adapted and is ready to fight for world titles again.

Focus

British fans, especially, would love to see Amir lock horns with countryman Kell Brook (pictured) in the near future - though I think that if they fought tomorrow Khan would be the favourite and that his experience would get him the win.

Khan has had his setbacks but he has been in with far superior fighters than the guys Brook has faced, plus Kell had real trouble dealing with Carson Jones and looked extremely mediocre in the latter stages of their bout, which he won on points.

Brook's best bet would be to try and lure Amir into a slanging match.

Khan doesn't want to get beaten in any contest, whether that's verbal or physical, and gets too worked up and loses the ability to think, whereas Kell is a cooler customer and seems more able to deal with criticism.

The Sheffield fighter won't be looking at Khan at the moment, though, as his eyes will still be fixed on taking the IBF welterweight title from Devon Alexander, despite the pair's clash being postponed for a second time earlier this week.

Brook couldn't make the initial January date due to an ankle knock, while the February meeting has now been scrapped, with the American picking up a bicep injury - and the waters have now been muddied even further by Floyd Mayweather claiming he is in negotiations to face Alexander.

This delay could be a good thing for Kell in that it will show him how easy it is for opportunities to pass you by and that he must never lose his focus - and that if he does, he could quickly find himself at 30-years of age and not where he wants to be, like we saw with Junior Witter.

There have been murmurs that Alexander's injury might be a bit of gamesmanship and that he is afraid of Brook - but I don't buy that for a minute.

The 25-year-old has grown up in a rough neighbourhood so knows what fear REALLY is, and if you have been in the ring with Lucas Matthysse, you will not be scared of Kell.

If Alexander and Brook do get it on, I think the former might just edge the clash; he is ungainly but hits harder and is more effective than he looks and is one of these hard, tough fighters who you don't really want to be in with, plus, he has boxed at a high level, beating Andreas Kotelnik, Marcos Maidana as well as Matthysse.

I am as excited about Kell as anybody and he could be one of our greats - but I think Alexander could expose some chinks in his armour.

Comments (1)

  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Paul Wakefield says...

I think the loss to Peterson should have been wiped from his record. Khan is talking about a rematch with Garcia and I think he has every chance of winning it if he fights in a more controlled fashion. I'm interested to see how Amir comes on after his second training camp with Virgil Hunter.As far as Kell Brook is concerned I agree with Glenn that Alexander is probably the best opponent that Kell has met in his career so far. However, most people think that Alexander lost to Kotelnyk and Matthyse and should have been disqualified against Maidana for repeatedly holding. So Alexander is beatable. I hope Kell has seen these fights as well as Alexander's fight with Tim Bradley as Kell will conclude that Alexander doesn't have a fighter's heart and looks to get out when the going gets tough. So Kell needs to make things very tough!

Posted 14:35 8th February 2013

  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private

back to top

Other Blogs:

Latest Posts in :

Alex Ferguson

Hairline rapture

Will LeBron James reveal his receding locks in Game 7? Either way, Miami will win, says Alex Ferguson....

Alex Ferguson

London calling?

Alex Ferguson debates who would be perfect hosts should the UK welcome a franchise from the NFL....

Alex Ferguson

The LeBron factor

LeBron James, Miami Heat's 'Mr Everything', will guide his side to the NBA title, says Alex Ferguson....

Alex Ferguson

NBA showtime

Alex Ferguson asks if Miami can hit back against the Bulls in the Conference semi-finals....

Alex Ferguson

American beauties

Alex Ferguson names the 10 biggest sports stars in the States. Do you agree with his selections?...

Ed Chamberlin

Bio shock

Ed Chamberlin thinks Biographer can defy his long odds and shine in Thursday's Ascot Gold Cup....

Ray Wilkins

Shortlist of three

Ray Wilkins says Phil Neville, Glenn Hoddle or Gareth Southgate should replace Stuart Pearce....

0 comments

Martin Tyler

Final thoughts

Martin Tyler reflects on Spain's triumph and England's woes in his final blog from the U21 Euros....

Phil Edwards

Dragon force

Phil Edwards explains why Warren Gatland should select an all-Welsh back row for the first Test....

Stuart Barnes

A nagging fear

Mounting injuries are making Stuart Barnes worry about the hopes of the Lions Down Under....

0 comments

Phil Clarke

Moneyball!

Phil Clarke looks at how a shift back to performance-related pay could help players and their clubs....

1 comments

Stevo

Set your stall

Stevo says that nothing but a convincing win for England against the Exiles on Friday will do....

Phil Clarke

Stats never lie!

Phil Clarke looks at the facts and figures to see who could be missing out on an England place....

0 comments

Ewen Murray

Rose from the ashes

Justin Rose left his dark days behind to win his first major and give Ewen Murray many Merion memories....

Rob Lee

Merion musings

Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, and the streets of Philadelphia. Rob Lee blogs on the 113th US Open......

Barry Cowan

Ready and roaring

Andy Murray's Queen's win was ideal preparation ahead of Wimbledon, says Barry Cowan....

Barry Cowan

The reign of Rafa

An eighth French Open title confirms Rafa Nadal as the greatest clay-court player ever, says Barry Cowan....

Barry Cowan

Paris persistence

Barry Cowan blogs on Roger Federer's resilience and pays tribute to Tommy Haas and Tommy Robredo....

Alex Hammond

A true gentleman

Alex Hammond remembers trainer Sir Henry Cecil and gives her tips for the week's racing....

Alex Hammond

City slicker

City Girl in the Cecil Frail and Jiroft in the Achilles... Alex Hammond tips up the weekend's racing....

Glenn McCrory

Dangerous Adonis

Glenn McCrory explains why Tony Bellew mustn't take new WBC champion Adonis Stevenson lightly....

Johnny Nelson

More on than off

Will David Haye and Tyson Fury actually get it on? Johnny Nelson explains why it makes sense......

View from America

London here we come

The move to put an NFL team in London could soon become a reality, says Simon Veness....

View from America

Falling short

Tim Tebow may have plenty of fans, but he's just not good enough for the NFL, says Simon Veness....

Rod Harrington

A show of Power

Phil Taylor showed he's still the man to beat by clinching a fifth UK Open title, says Rod Harrington....

Rod Harrington

Luck of the draw

Rod Harrington is expecting plenty of thrills and spills at the UK Open in Bolton - and MVG to prosper....

Rod Harrington

Best on the planet

Premier League king Michael van Gerwen is the best player on planet darts, says Rod Harrington....

comments

Neal Foulds

Fabulous fifth

Neal Foulds hailed 'brilliant' Ronnie O'Sullivan and reckons this won't be the end for the Rocket....

Neal Foulds

Rocket returns

Neal Foulds doubts Ronnie O'Sullivan can retain his title but tips Neil Robertson to win the Worlds again....

comments

Kelvin Tatum

Pirates under attack

Struggling Poole will be vulnerable when they travel to Birmingham, says Kelvin Tatum....

Kelvin Tatum

There for the taking

Kelvin Tatum believes Birmingham will continue their strong form with victory over Poole Pirates....

Richard Moore

Alberto on the up?

Richard Moore chats to cycling legend Sean Kelly about Alberto Contador's Tour de France chances....

Richard Moore

The final curtain

Richard Moore reflects on Sunday's Closing Ceremony to an unforgettable Olympic Games......

comments

Richard Moore

Plan of attack

Richard Moore considers Team Sky's tactics for the Tour with five-time champion Bernard Hinault....

Richard Moore - Richard Moore

A lasting golden glow

Richard Moore suggests all the British Olympians should visit schools and talk about their experiences....

comments

Richard Moore

Out of control

Rain, rivals and mechanical problems have affected Bradley Wiggins at the Giro, says Richard Moore....

Wayne McCullough

Wonderful Davis

Wayne McCullough watched Antonio Rogerio Nogueria take on Phil Davis at UFC Fight Night 24. ...

0 comments

Wayne McCullough

Jones shines bright

Wayne McCullough was highly impressed as the talented Jon Jones made short work of Mauricio Rua....

2 comments

Wayne McCullough

A bloody marvel

Wayne McCullough salutes Diego Sanchez as he edges out Martin Kampmann in a UFC humdinger....

0 comments