Amir Khan Escapes with a Win Over a Game Chris Algieri, Targets Floyd Mayweather, JR

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By Agustin Perez

Floyd Mayweather, JR. has one fight left in his exclusive six-fight deal with Showtime. Mayweather is expected to make his return to the ring in September but his opponent is yet to be determined. Amir Khan has been raising his hand for quite some time, eager to be the man that finally ends Mayweather’s unbeaten streak. Khan, 31-3, 19 KO’s had a great opportunity this past Friday night in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY to show the world that he is ready to take on Mayweather. Although he won the fight by unanimous decision, handing Chris Algieri, 20-2, 8 KO’s only the second loss in his professional career, Khan looked anything but ready to fight the number one pound for pound fighter in the world.

Algieri, uncharacteristically, fought an aggressive fight; always coming forward and pushing the pace. This might have thrown off Khan’s initial game plan but he never really adjusted to Algieri’s style. In boxing, you have to have a pplan B, most good fighters have a plan C. Floyd Mayweather, JR. has a plan D. Khan did not have an answer all night for Algieri’s right cross; it seemed to land at will. With only 20 seconds remaining in the first round, Algieri landed a beautiful right hand which nearly sent Khan to the canvas.

Algieri is not known as a puncher, in fact, only 8 of his 20 wins have come by knockout. What is most concerning is the fact that the punch that wobbled Khan did not come in exchange of punches as it did against Danny Garcia but rather after a break in the action. Algieri threw a jab, almost as a feint, and followed it up with the right hand. Khan had all the time in the world to react and cover up but didn’t. I can only imagine what Mayweather, whose best punch is probably the lead right hand, would do to Khan.

Although Khan won by unanimous decision, the fight was really much closer than what the cards read. Going into the championship rounds, I had the fight even at 5 rounds a piece. Khan was able to pull away at the end but he never looked comfortable. His leaky defense, glass jaw and lack of creativity gave you the sense that Algieri was never out of the fight. This was Khan’s opportunity to make a statement and he failed miserably.

Of all the candidates out there to become Mayweather’s next, and presumably last opponent, Khan is probably the most deserving. His resume speaks for itself, with wins over Marcos Maidana, Zab Judah, and Devon Alexander; however, I don’t think Khan will pose much of a threat. His only real advantage over Mayweather is speed. Unfortunately for Kahn, timing beats speed and there is no one smarter and more precise with his punches in boxing today than Floyd Mayweather Jr. Not to mention every other facet of the sport in which Mayweather is superior.

Khan would not even have a “puncher’s chance” against Floyd because he simply doesn’t have the kind of power to change the dimensions of a fight with one punch. Khan has not won by knockout in his last 7 fights, dating back to 2011 when he was fighting at 140 lbs. Personally, I’d rather see an aggressive, power puncher with good hand speed like Keith Thurman or Gennady Golovkin fight Mayweather next but that’s unlikely. It looks like we will have to settle for another typical Mayweather bout in which he comes away with a unanimous decision against an overmatched opponent this time by the name of Amir Khan.

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