What a topsy-turvy, roller-coaster we've had over the course of this absorbing season.
Amir Khan's year typifies how extraordinary it's been.
How ironic - and amazing - that just 10 months after his sporting world collapsed around him in those 54 bewildering and blistering seconds, Amir Khan would be standing as a legitimate World Champion.
Khan: turned his career round in Hollywood
At just 21, Khan's boxing career lay in ruins last September. We've heard some agonising ringside screams of late (Ricky Hatton's girlfriend Jennifer springs to mind) - and Amir's mum Falak literally collapsed at the MEN after Breidis Prescott had ripped through her son. But how proud she must be now at the way that Amir has rebuilt his career.
I've said it before; Amir Khan became a man almost overnight after the Prescott debacle, despite many boxing critics writing him off forever. He faced the music, he changed his life around, and the relocation to the Wildcard factory in Hollywood was a brilliant move.
Dedicated
Linking up with master tactician Freddie Roach, sparring with Manny Pacquiao, and performing as he did under huge pressure against Oisin Fagan and Marco Antonio Barrera was great to see.
I've said it before; Amir Khan became a man almost overnight after the Prescott debacle, despite many boxing critics writing him off forever. He faced the music, he changed his life around, and the relocation to the Wildcard factory in Hollywood was a brilliant move.
Adam Smith
Quotes of the week
July 18th was a feel-good night for British boxing. I've got to know Amir well recently, and have seen for myself how extremely dedicated and hard-working he is.
He still had to bring that all into the ring - the same Manchester ring from which he had to pick up the pieces after Prescott. How Amir Khan did that.
The manner of victory was remarkable. Khan out-sped, out-thought, and totally mastered a seasoned world champion up a weight!
Raiding
No-one had ever done that to Andreas Kotelnik. Junior Witter couldn't - Junior Witter thought that Khan would get knocked out.
Yes Amir got caught, yes he tired slightly down the stretch but this was understandable after the pace he had set throughout.
Khan's speed was fabulous; his jab a terrific weapon, his foot movement, his lateral movement, his raiding tactics superb.
Alex Ariza, Khan's conditioner, deserves enormous praise for re-structuring Amir's body and making his legs strong enough to do this.
For me the thing that stood out more than anything was Khan's ability to execute the perfect gameplan which Freddie Roach had laid out.
A world champion at 22, after 22 fights. Cheered on by his idol Naseem Hamed. It was a great occasion.
Moreover, it was a mental and physical recovery unlike any we have seen in Britain for a long time. How bright is the future now for Amir Khan?
Comments (4)
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Jay Kaye says...
I think Khan deserves alot of credit. After the nature of his defeat against Prescott he should be applauded for coming back the way he has. One thing you have to say about Khan is that he is mentally tough. He needs to work more on planting his feet and throwing shots with purpose and power. Against the top guys he is going to need power. John Murray would be a good opponent at this stage.
Posted 18:39 26th July 2009
Dave Kershaw says...
Credit where credit is due. I was one of many who were quick to write off Amir Khan after his crushing loss to Bredis Prescott, but the manner in which Amir has turned his career around is admirable. No matter what is said by fans or the press, Amir Khan is a world champion and that is an accolade written in history, and an title that will follow his name for the rest of his life. As a fight fans, we are in for a treat as we now have another British fighter who will attract the big names and who has flaws that will lead to exciting fights. Names to fight include Hatton, Campbell, Salita, Witter, Holt; and possibly Pac Man, Cotto and Marquez in the future! Khan is a young champ with a big future.
Posted 16:45 24th July 2009
Raja Waqar says...
The future is bright the futures AMIR!!!
Posted 15:25 24th July 2009
Marcus Phillips says...
Amir Khan is still the same boxer as last year, boxing is a joke at the amount of world champions in one division??? There can only be one world champion, and he is nowhere near the top of the tree. He still has no chin and his hand picked opponents are going to be over the hill stiffs or people who cannot punch. Put him back in the ring with Prescott and he'll be knocked out again!!!
Posted 14:32 24th July 2009
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