Last Friday night Breidis Prescott fought at the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
It was only his second fight since knocking out Amir Khan last September.
Prescott's opponent Miguel Vasquez was relatively unknown but had lost a decision to light welterweight WBC and WBO champion Timothy Bradley back in July 2007. The three losses on Vasquez's record were by decision so he entered the fight as a decent enough opponent.
Prescott: beaten
Prescott was rated highly in the lightweight division so with a win it was possible he could get a well deserved shot at a title. However, Khan got a title shot first even though many thought he would be sidelined while he built himself back into title contention after his KO loss.
Unfortunately Prescott lost his fight after putting Vasquez on the canvas in the first round from a hard left jab. Vasquez got up and lived up to his nickname, The Puppet, moving and boxing his way around the ring, scoring shots and pulling out a split decision win. Prescott showed his power but also his very apparent lack of skills.
Footwork
Twenty four hours later, Khan dethroned Andreas Kotelnik for the WBA super lightweight belt. Good promoting on behalf of Frank Warren helped him obtain the title shot after only two fights back since his loss and having never fought in this weight class.
Maybe Ricky Hatton could be the next opponent for Khan for an all-British showdown. I would love to train Ricky and with Freddie Roach training Khan, it would be a clash of two trainers from the Eddie Futch School of Boxing going head to head!
Wayne McCullough
Quotes of the week
Khan reverted back to his amateur style of boxing, using good footwork and quick hands to score shots and win rounds. Kotelnik, who is typically a counter puncher, came forward but he wasn't very successful.
He tried to out-muscle Khan but he was able to move and stay away. They did trade in close on occasion but it was clear that Kotelnik was not going to crack any eggs with his light punching.
Khan still held his head and chin up in the air and was open for right hands, but there was nothing coming towards him. He used his smart boxing and won round after round and rarely got caught with anything stupid that could test his chin the way Prescott did.
Threat
Kotelnik was arguably the easiest champion for Khan to challenge and the one that had the least punching threat, but he did a solid job in only the second time he has gone the full 12-round distance.
Manny Pacquiao, who Khan trains with, is no 1 at this weight. Timothy Bradley and Juan Urango are champions in this division. Nate Campbell, Kendall Holt, Ricardo Torres, Randall Bailey, Dimitri Salita and Junior Witter, to name a few, are also in this hot weight class. Khan seemed to step over these guys to get his shot.
Maybe Ricky Hatton could be the next opponent for Khan for an all-British showdown. I would love to train Ricky and with Freddie Roach training Khan, it would be a clash of two trainers from the Eddie Futch School of Boxing going head to head!
Will Khan try to avenge his only loss against the now beaten Prescott? I would if I were him.
But all credit has to go to Khan for coming back after being criticized last year. He is now the WBA champion of the world.
Comments (10)
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Nick Southall says...
I think people should start giving credit where its due.....Yes Khan got caught cold against Prescott but how many fighters have been caught over the years? Lennox Lewis springs to mind!! Nobody doubted him after that and rightly so as he avenged the losses and showed that maybe he took his opponents too lightly (which he admitted) Maybe its the case with Khan, against a then, relatively unknown Prescott. Given the opportunity I'm sure Amir's superior boxing skills would nulify any threat of Prescott and for that reason i feel he should be hi next opponent or at least in his next 3 opponents. If only to prove a point and show that he has the heart and guts to prove any doubters wrong. The best is yet to come from this lad mark my words!
Posted 08:48 29th July 2009
Gary Whitcroft says...
I believe that the Khan/Hatton fight will happen. Frank Warren is no fool and the money generated from this fight will be astronomical and he will see Hatton as a big-name opponent who is on the slide, therefore perfect for Khan's quick hands. I don't think Khan needs Prescott in his life, he bombed him out once and if he was to do it again I don't think Khan would be fighting for a world title within 3 fights again, if at all. There's no doubt that Khan's punch resistance is not the best and as he now moves into world class opponents I fear he may come unstuck at some stage. I wish him all the best though because he's got bags of ability and he seems like a nice enough kid.
Posted 11:32 28th July 2009
Jay Sadri says...
I definitely agree with Wayne. He does not for one minute show an underlying hatred towards Khan. I do think Khan's opponents will get tougher and stronger in this division and I would like to see if he will be able to put up a good performance against a powerhouse. Junior Witter comes to mind and so does Hatton. I'm not sure if the Hatton fight will go ahead, but I believe Khan needs more than speed and the force of the British media to win his future fights. Honestly, I think he's in for a bit of a shocker. Good luck though.
Posted 08:59 28th July 2009
Punchie Poo says...
like all pretenders khan will be found out ! if he can't take a punch off light weights, some of whom couldn't punch; how will he cope with a light welter ? especialy when he faces one who can move quicker than an oap on a zimmer !! khan is a protecetd fighter built on a foundation of hype. i just hope he doesn't get too hurt when someone catches up with him and shatters his glass jraw (i do hope he doesn't get hurt he aint a bad kid) . i just see much better young fighters in this country who should be given the chance .
Posted 20:54 27th July 2009
Tharusha Gunawardena says...
actually Mr Iqbal. I'd have to disagree with you there. I am a big Khan fan, and I saw nothing of the "hatred" that you talk about. Presumably you were expecting plaudit upon plaudit, but instead were unhappy with what was actually a well balanced article. Don't get ahead of yourself, Khan isn't the finished article yet, and that's what I'm sure you'll agree, is most exciting.
Posted 16:38 27th July 2009
Craig Snedden says...
Khan could not lace Prescott's boots. The next person Khan fights will not be a hard-punching fighter, because he has a glass jaw.
Posted 14:53 27th July 2009
James Black says...
Wayne usually your right on the money but i think this time you have it wrong, khan wont fight prescott because prescott can bang a bit, it seems that warren and roach are going to hand pick light punchers for khan, i believe maidana is the mandatory for khan and thats a fight he would most definately lose. well done khan you managed a good win over kotelnik using amatuer boxing skills, but the tougher guys in this division will find you out and quickly. If khan wants to pick an opponent let him face gavin rees, not a big puncher but one tough litte fella who loves a fight and refuses to quit.
Posted 12:57 26th July 2009
Lee Cairns says...
Fantastic article, Wayne!! A very good outlook, and none biased ananlysis of the fight. Khan did box well and his footwork was good. However, there is still the big question on his chin, which wasn't really tested on Saturday night - thanks to Warren's nack of selceting the correct opponent. He is good at winnning rounds and picking up points but in an amature style, but this can only work for a certain length of time, and against some fighters. Once he steps it up a level in terms of fighers, he's going to come up against a puncher, and then it'll be time to answer his critics. Freddie Roache says the key is to hit and not to be hit. It's invetable khan will get hit - it's part of boxing; but the question is - can he take them punchers??? Lee.
Posted 16:48 25th July 2009
Mark Jackson says...
cracking review Wayne, i totally agree with what you have said. Frank Warren has been very shrewd in who he has AK face, i think they'll do everything they can to avoid a puncher. Like you say he is there for the taking with the right hand. I have heard rumours that AK is set to sign for Golden boy promos, he'll have no more protection if he does and we will truly find out if AK has become a man and deserves to be in the company of the fighters you mentioned. I still think a puncher ko's him every time, i'd like to see him fight Katsisdis i think you'd be a great trainer for Hatton too, keep him off the pop and i think he'd stop Khan in 3
Posted 16:34 25th July 2009
Mohamed Iqbal says...
Wayne you seem to have some kind of underlying hatred maybe even jealousy towards Khan you have to give a 22 year old more credit rather then trying to take the shine off the win. I guess it must hurt that Khan has made more money at the age of 22 then you have all your life. And by the way Khan would stop Hatton in the tenth believe.
Posted 12:46 24th July 2009
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