This guy Khaliq was better than Khan. I remember he was penciled in to fight Forrest and the way the British Press reported it was like Khaliq was going to his doom. Against Takloo, he takes a right hand that would have flattened Khan. He was naturally bigger than Khan and way more natural. Not as fast but he had none of this boxbot bullshit either. His career ended right before Khan emerged. Khan got the millions and the fame and I don't think he'd have lasted in there with Khaliq at 147. He beat Nesterneko twice, beat Jan Bergman, beat Takaloo on 2 days notice, beat Willy Wise shortly after Mosley did and with far less experience, won an English ABA title at Welter. He went back to driving a taxi after his retirement. At 147, this guy beats the brakes off Khan. Like I said, timing is everything.
I liked Khaliq. Nice style and was in some fun fights. He was one of those guys who seemed to fight to the level of his opposition. Really enjoyed the first Nesterenko fight, especially the finish. I was gutted for him that he never got the Forrest fight, I don't think he would have won but he deserved a shot as he'd more than proven himself as being a class above the domestic scene. I remember Sky were trying to build up a fight with Harry Dhami at the time, I assume because they were both British Asians, which I always felt was a bit disrespectful to Khaliq as he was clearly a much better fighter than Dhami. Didn't realise he'd gone back to taxi driving. It's a shame he never got the big fight, he always came across as a really nice bloke too.
Agreed. I am not sentimental but he must- simply must- have spent nights driving his taxi with the radio on hearing stories about Amir Khan and thinking that he could have made millions but for a few years. Ironically that shitty IBO title was considered more worthwhile to the TV boffins back in the day than a British title, which is why he went that route. He just got badly unlucky. The Naz/Warren thing had collapsed right when he was at his best and the Khan thing was yet to happen. Agreed on the smarmy All-Asian angle. Again that was just bad timing. That's what sold or was on offer. Makes me laugh at SKY with all their sanctimonious posturing. When they dominated the market they offered up a lot of shit.
Great ending, and I loved the dance at the end, but this kinda looked like a toughman contest. I don't rate Khan highly, and you never know with that chin, but he was clearly a couple of levels above those two.
I think he was faster but I don't think he was technically better than Khaliq. I think that KO of Takaloo was like his 3rd or 4th fight and he took it on 3 days notice. Takaloo would go on to KO Anthony Farnell, KO Scott Dixon and go 12 with Daniel Santos........he was on the verge of beating Wayne Alexander when he walked onto one. He also beat Eamonn Magee, for what it is worth. I know that doesn't sound like much but if you fight a guy like that in your 4th fight and start slapping him around you might have a bit about you............all of Takaloos big wins and impressive performances came after he lost to Khaliq. PS Takaloo's wikipedia is fucking hilarious:- "Takaloo is a showboat who had good head and body movement, but usually ended up looking bruised, battered but unbowed. " One of his siblings is named as "Mc Righteous"
Poor guy, probably thought he was the next Prince Naseem because he starched his little bro in his parent's basement He seems a bit challenged to say it politely, I'm surprised he was even licensed. At least the dancing was pretty funny ❤
I remember Takalooo, was making a bit of noise as a huge puncher when I started following boxing (it faded pretty fast though). Didn't know it was his 4th fight. As such, I cant really gauge this Khaliq guy level
There was a period around 1999-2002 where there was real noise around the 154lb scene in the UK. Alexander, Williams, Scott Dixon, Vindaloo Takaloo, Anthony Farnell. Anthony Farnell had actually hired a ballet dancer to try and sort out his bandy fucking legs. He got so Pumped- people thing the Hatton fans were bad, well this was Paleo-Hatton fans- so pumped coming out to fight Vindaloo that he got sparked out. Came out all tight and easy to pick off. Disappointing because he had some epic struggles with better men than that. Fun times. Farnell looked like some sort of a White Power loon from a prison gang.
Well........saw his fight with Macklin and I wonder. My memory isn't as sharp as it might be, I don't know who the Champs were back then. Macklin fought like a guy possessed that night. Not so clever, but possessed.
