Ned Dishman - Getty Images
Richard Schaefer got Amir Khan a rematch. Will Khan significantly change his style or will he just try to push less? (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images)
In the past weeks Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson have agreed to have a rematch of their controversial fight in December. Both the fight and the officials overseeing the original fight have come into question. The referee in the original fight, Joe Cooper, took away two points from Amir Khan for excessive pushing. While this action may technically be against the rules, I am not sure if I remember it being enforced to this extent. Outside the ring there was the saga of Mustafa Ameen, the mysterious man in the hat. This man was seen interacting with a judge and touching the scorecards, two big no-nos. In order to avoid these strange occurrences, Golden Boy has decided to stage the fight in Las Vegas's Mandalay Bay on May 19th. This venue was agreed upon after Khan's team could not get Peterson's team to agree to come to England according to David Anderson of The Mirror.
Interestingly enough, Richard Schaefer has said that Golden Boy has already talked to the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
"Security will be very tight and Las Vegas is probably the best commission in the world,' said Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer. "I know they are going to make sure that everything is going to be totally above board. I've already had conversations with the Las Vegas commission to make sure that it is going to be absolutely neutral ground for both fighters. We won't see any men in hats sitting at the scorers' table!"
First of all, there is no Las Vegas commission; it is the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which makes me doubt the validity of Richard's statement. I mean how seriously would you guys take me if I said I had a conversation with Silver Man Promotions. Another point is that the Golden Boy team didn't notice the mysterious man in the hat until Amir Khan took to Twitter and posted the pictures.
The mention of "absolutely neutral judges" worries me a bit. What this usually means is that there will be one judge from England and potentially one judge from D.C. I really worry that Khan will buy into his excuses and think that he was not at fault for the loss. If Khan doesn't push every ten seconds, then he wins on the cards. If Khan keeps on the gas and pressures Peterson the entire fight, then he wins easily on the cards. If Khan doesn't allow Peterson to pin him on the ropes, then he wins the fight. Khan has world class potential; the only question is will he learn from this loss and try to get better. Do you guys expect to see an improved Khan or the same version as before?
0 recs | 19 comments
I do
Expect an improved khan. If not, I would hold Freddie and Ariza partially accountable.
The must have seen the flaws and hopefully will correct them together
pakinpower - February 14, 2012
I’m expecting pretty much the same guy — I believe his flaws are just sort of the flaws he’s always going to have. Of course, I had the same guy winning a very close fight the first time, and it could easily have gone his way and then we wouldn’t even be here.
I thought the first fight was a lot closer to even going in than the oddsmakers did, and I think it remains an even matchup this time.
Scott Christ - February 14, 2012
I have a high opinion of both fighters, so this fight is hard for me to pick. On one hand, Khan fought a very stupid fight and that cost him the victory. The first time Khan had a stupid fight, he rededicated himself and improved rather significantly. However, the first time Khan also changed trainers and Roach should take a great deal of credit for Khan’s improvement. That being said, Khan has never shown a high ring IQ, and has never fought a complete “smart” fight.
It’s hard to say whether his foolishness is due to his large ego or if it is simply a mental trait. One can be helped, the other is hopeless.
Waldo Rastel - February 14, 2012
No
I don’t believe we will see an “improved Khan.” I think we will see the same Khan, which is still dangerous for Peterson. Khan’s leaks appear to be pretty deep rooted into his boxing, and it’s not really possible to change things dramatically within a few months. He maybe in a process of working on his leaks, but he wont be fully congruent with it, so I can’t imagine any attempted leak fixing will be effective. Like I said in another post, I hope Peterson puts Khan away for good. His antics after the last fight was disgraceful. It’s a shame, because this guy was on the cusp of pure greatness. Maybe he can still get there. Khan-not wait for this fight! (had to do it :-/).
APG1 - February 14, 2012
Waldo, in terms of career progress and future fights, what do you think a loss to either of them would do?
APG1 - February 14, 2012 via iPhone app
Can I take a shot at this, APG1?
I think Khan has already proven to be a very marketal star despite evebn having been knocked out. So another loss, should it be close, will not have a long term impact. Short term however, I think he is fortunate at a quick shot at redemption in Vegas. His fighting in DC was stupid…from a marketing perspective. Not for Lamont, the B side fighter, but for Khan, who controled the negotiation.
Peterson, IMO is making/raking a mistake/chance with the one victory over Khan having elevated him. He is a star today because of that victory. i think he can repeat but if I were him I would have gone for JMM money if that fight could have been made. The money would have been significant and beating JMM, not an impossibility, would have be huge.
Now, if he wins, Great for him. But is he loses, he was teh guys who beat Khan (controversily) and now would be reverted to the opponent who had one good night.
In other words, he had more to gain by fighting a few tweeners before Khan than giving Amir a shot of ‘overturning’ a bad night.
Peterson is good…but lets not forget he was tied by Ortiz and beaten soundly by Bradley. Three losses for him are worse than three losses for the more marketable Khan IMO.
pakinpower - February 14, 2012
It's about the MONEY, pakin. Those other guys probably wouldn't be offering the amount Golden Boy was offering.
That’s all it is at the end of the day. Win or lose, Lamont is going to get PAID.
Now it’s up to him to find a way to keep the Belt as he’s in the Driver’s seat here.
Remember…..Khan is supposed to take the belt from him; Lamont could do just enough to win on the scorecards and remember : Lamont CAN outbox Khan.
BrockRocks - February 22, 2012
Lamont – Nothing much. Everyone expected him to lose the first fight, but he had a good gameplan to beat the mentally weak Khan. Lamont is always going to give mentally weak fighters a tough time. Look what he did with Ortiz. Ortiz was killing him in the first half of the fight with Lamont making adjustments and easily taking the second half. I like Lamont as a potential opponent for the winner of the Matthysse – Soto fight.
Khan – He has a ton to lose. A potential fight with Mayweather goes away, unless Khan goes up to WW and beats some of the upcoming talent. I feel like GBP wants to have Khan take on the winner of Maidana and Alexander for the chance of taking on Mayweather. Of course, GBP could be looking to the winner of Ortiz-Berto II as well if Lamont manages to take it . I also feel like there will be a mountain of excuses coming from the Khan camp if he manages to lose. Not comfortable with the weight, distracted because of his fiance, Freddie isn’t around enough, etc.
Waldo Rastel - February 14, 2012
For those who know Khan longer, I have a question.
Is he immature but someone you would expect to grow or is his ego/character a trait that we should expect to see manifested regardless of ‘tear’ on the planet’
pakinpower - February 14, 2012
The latter, IMO. I’ve been a big Khan supporter since very early in his pro career and probably remain one of his bigger fans, but he’s always going to be the way that he is now, I’m guessing. He’s very good, very marketable, and will be around a long time, I expect, with or without bumps in the road. He kind of reminds me of what Bill James said about Jim Palmer:
Scott Christ - February 14, 2012
I liked Jim Palmer. I related to him for what it’s worth. Damn talented guy. But I get it
pakinpower - February 14, 2012
If Khan can move his head better
And not get hit with those home-run type punches Peterson he should do well. He has to pop Peterson a couple of times to make Peterson respect him and take away some of his aggressiveness. Peterson still doesn’t respect Khan, he ’s gonna walk right through him and chase him around the ring again
Zfan - February 14, 2012
Khan has ZERO Knockout Power. That's why Peterson is going to walk right through him and pummel him senseless
BrockRocks - February 22, 2012
If Khan shows up as a + on the odds, I’m going to bet him. I think it’s an even fight but I’m expecting Khan to turn it up. I hope Khan wins, takes a fight at Welterweight against the winner of Ortiz/Berto and gets chewed up (or surprises us).
RyanSexton - February 14, 2012
Barry Hunter or someone in Peterson’s camp should raise an objection to having Joe Cortez ref this fight now or at least well before officials are announced. I get the distinct feeling that the obviously neutral Nevada Commission might just happen to appoint the guy who helped Khan avoid many prolonged inside exchanges against Maidana.
bachwards - February 14, 2012
If Peterson’s camp doesn’t do just that (prematurely refuse to fight with Cortez as referee), I don’t think there’s any doubt who’s going to get the call.
Scott Christ - February 14, 2012
Such absolute neutrality is why the Las Vegas Commission is the best in the world!
bachwards - February 14, 2012
Could be worse. Could have been in the neutral LA backyard of Golden Boy.
Marquez refuses to fight with Cortez reffing. Peterson should do the same. Barry Hunter seems pretty sharp.
Scott Christ - February 14, 2012
I feel that most people have equated his ‘he let’s the fighters fight’ with ’he’s really not paying attention in there.’ To me it seems that Joe has been a little lost in the ring his past couple of fights.
Waldo Rastel - February 14, 2012
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