Gotta love Khan. Calls out Maidana after the fight, only to want Katsidis.:: Hopefully Kat does us all a favor, and lands one to end this hype train.
I believe Khan really wants to prove himself against Maidiana but I think Roach is the one ducking that fight.
It is difficult to cheer against a fighter like Katsidis, no matter his adversary. He's a true picture of class --- all nobility & commitment in the squared circle.
I'd love to see it. I don't think Khan is ducking anyone by fighting Katsidis. He's a worthy opponent.
Fair enough. Katsidis is still relevant at least. Perfect fodder for Khan, but a reasonable opponent.
Katsidis is limited, and Khan/Roach knows this. They won't let Khan fight Alexander or Maidana so quickly.
Agreed on both counts. Though I am interested to see if Kat can land on Khan. But I think its gonna be too hard for him to deal with Khan's 1-2.
I said I wouldn't bet against Katsidis after the Mitchell win, but I am a huge fan of Khan's ability and think Khan beats Katsidis by late TKO or points. Khan is a much better all round skilled boxer than Mitchell. Kats won't stop coming forward as usual and will cause Khan some trouble, but Khan's jab and speed will give Kats hell. More of a test Khan v Kats then Khan v Malignaggi.
In all honesty I can't see a Khan v Katsidis fight happening. Katsidis has wanted to fight Marquez for a while now and should fight him if he gets past Diaz of course.
I think it is Freddie Roach pulling the strings here. I wouldn't have a problem with it if Khan wasn't a world champion. I don't like to see champions being treated like prospects.
I would rather see Khan-Maidana. I also agree that Khan clearly wants to face MM, but is being held back
I would rather see Katsidis vs Maidana. Now that would be a fight. Katsidis is a reasonable prep fight for Maidana, though, if you are looking at it from Khan's perspective. Their styles are somewhat similar--Katisidis busier, Maidana more calculating--but both come to fight and have similar approaches.
Katsidis is a LIGHTWEIGHT. Last I checked Khan has a title at JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT. How about fighting a guy in your own damn division. 140 is as deep as it gets. If Khan needs a "prep fight" for Maidana that simply means he is fucking ducking him. Lest we not forget...Maidana was his mandatory and had to be paid off to bypass it plus got an HBO deal out of the way. If Khan is so keen about fighting in July then fight Tim Bradley...he's already got an HBO date lined up. My guess... Golden Boy has Maidana and Khan and doesn't want either out of the mix just yet. They'd sit both guys out to avoid Bradley AND Alexander...they knock one out of the way for Khan. Katsidis is not a viable option...oh...last I checked...he's another Golden Boy fighter. Before this Paulie fight Brits went on and on about the Mitchell fight being a "big" fight in England so the Maidana fight had to build...Katsidid whups Mitchell's ass now the story is Khan has to avenge Mitchell's lost. All of this is the definition of ducking tough fights. lastly...if Khan doesn't want this to happen...it doesn't happen...period.
I'd rather Maidana, hopefully that comes off. Can't see how he's going to fit it in before Ramadan though
Ramadan begins August 11th and goes on for 28-30 days. I don't think they'll pencil in a fight before then and will probs wait til after Ramadan to get Khan back in the ring - but who knows what they'll decide to do.
I don't consider it ducking big fights at this point. Rather, this is building a big fight into a much bigger fight. Khan, Maidana, Alexander, Bradley...the first three have been on USA tv about 4x total. Bradley about that much himself, but he might be the least recognizable. (actually Maidana has been on US tv over 20 times, but that's a different thread...) Anyway, as much as we want to see who's best, I think it is early to move forward with a tourney. I hope they do, though. Katsidis is a good test and he is an exciting fighter. He'd help build whoever beats him or he might sneak himself into a future tourney if he wins.
Last time...Katsidis is a LIGHTWEIGHT. The same guy who was outgunned by non-hitting Juan Diaz. It's a good thing no one had this kind of thought when Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns were in their early 20's and fought.