AMIR KHAN'S credentials as a prize fighter will be writ large across the Las Vegas skyline in the early hours tomorrow.
All those doubters who believe the Breidis Prescott knockout was definitive will have some explaining to do should Khan put Marcos Maidana away in a manner befitting his gifts.
The argument against Khan is flawed in the sense that the Prescott defeat was explained by an inherent weakness around the whiskers.
Prescott would put a rhino away if it hung its chin out like Khan did that night. Khan lost not because of his delicate bone structure but because he made an elementary mistake.In the two years that he has been working with Freddie Roach, that kind of schoolboy error has been drilled out of his game.
Boxing is a simple business if you respect the fundamentals.
Roach respects them absolutely. The question he had to answer was this: what do I need to do to improve this kid? The answer was defence, defence, defence.
Roach excels in the company of fighters with speed. He knows its value better than any. Ask Manny Pacquiao, a fighter with three knockout defeats on his card before Roach got hold of him.
Khan's hands and feet are as quick as any in the game. You can't coach that. What you can teach is how not to get hit.
When you step into punching range, or the pocket as they say in the trade, you are vulnerable.
You need to know where your chin, shoulder and feet should be. You keep your chin down, your shoulder high and your hands up.
When Khan throws the jab now his right hand is glued to his cheek. When he throws the right his left hand is locked to his left cheek.
If you miss you must minimise the risks. Make a mistake and you get nailed by a counter. Khan was caught square on and flush by Prescott, who, I would argue, sets up an opponent better than Maidana because he is a genuine combination puncher.
Source: mirror.co.uk
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