Preview: British standout Amir Khan will make his second defense of his title in NYC against hometown fighter Paulie Malignaggi on May 15 on HBO. Both men look to make a big splash at 140 lbs. with a win here. Khan, making his first appearance outside the U.K., draws a tricky opponent in the quick Malignaggi.
Amir Khan, a silver medallist in the 2004 Olympics as a 17-year old, was forecasted as the next big thing out of England. But as he moved up through the pro ranks, a chink his armor manifested: his chin. Rattled and dropped by entry-level opposition, there were some concerns about the talented Khan’s durability. These suspicions were confirmed when Khan was shockingly stopped in 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott. A right hand from the power-punching Colombian crumpled Khan and it appeared to be a long road back.
Perhaps the boxing community jumped the gun in writing off Khan. While certainly operating with a deficit in the chin department, a first-round knockout can often be a case of a fighter who has not steeled himself for the task at hand. Perhaps Khan was just complacent against the previously unheard-of Prescott. Khan has managed to get a measure of respect back by subsequently defeating Marco Antonio Barrera, Andriy Kotelnik, and Dmitriy Salita. The win over the capable Kotelnik was for a belt and his first-round knockout over Salita was encouraging for those hoping to see Khan make a run at superstardom.
Malignaggi is a fighter who relies on his skills and smarts. With 5 knockouts in 30 fights, he is not much of a puncher, but his confidence and craft bridge the gap. He is reminiscent of old-time boxers—those who had little power and relied on cageyness and cunning to prevail. He has come up short in some of his bigger fights, with losses to Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, and Juan Diaz in a disputed decision. Since working with his new trainer, Sharif Youman, Malignaggi appears to have recaptured his form, as evidenced by his last fight, a clear decision over Diaz in a rematch.
Malignaggi is in a tough spot here, fighting an opponent who can match him in speed, while surpassing him in the power category. Khan’s main weakness, his chin, will likely not be tested against the light-hitting Malignaggi. Khan is also a little longer than Malignaggi and should be able to operate at a distance. Having passed on hard-hitting Marcos Maidana as an opponent, this is a calculated risk by Team Khan. They wanted to make a splash in the U.S. against an opponent they should beat and they chose Malignaggi. Khan appears to have brought his game to the next level since working with Freddie Roach, who is also Manny Pacquiao’s trainer. Roach is expert at getting fighters to take on a style that minimizes risk, while showcasing their talents.
Prediction: Malignaggi can potentially beat Khan by adhering to an ultra-cute style of boxing that Khan is not educated enough to deal with. I think Paulie is the more intelligent fighter. I expect him to give Khan a difficult and frustrating evening. While there is a chance that Khan will be tied up in knots in a state of mental anguish, I think he will be able to get his offense untracked. As the bout wears on, he will begin to turn the fight in his favor with his greater explosiveness and athleticism.
I am beginning to think Paulie is special enough to produce a great effort and the closer we get to fight night, the more I like his chances. I think he will enjoy fighting in his hometown and who really knows what heights he can rise to? He did manage to make the capable Diaz look rather impotent. I feel that Khan, however, is a thoroughbred, albeit a vulnerable one. I look for him to nose ahead a decision winner in a competitive fight.
Amir Khan Tickets are available online on GigSport.
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