THUNDERING RIGHT SMASHES AMIR KHAN?S DREAMS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 08 May 2016
A thundering overhand right that cracked the jaw of gallant Amir Khan who moved up two weight divisions to challenge WBC middleweight champion Saul ?Canelo? Alvarez before a predominantly Mexican Cinco de Mayo crowd at the spanking new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, saw the popular Mexican shatter the dreams of Khan and set-up a mouth-watering rumble with IBF, WBA champion and WBC Interim champion Gennady Golovkin who was at ringside to watch the cool, calculating Canelo end the fight with a single devastating punch.
Khan, using his speed and nifty combinations took control in the early rounds as Canelo bided his time with ringside commentators Dough Fischer and heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis scoring the first four rounds for Khan.
But after a somewhat even 5th round when Canelo began to use his power, with a hard shot to the left side of Khan?s body, the 2004 British Olympic silver medalist at the age of 17 made the mistake as pointed out by Lewis, of dropping his hands and allowing Canelo to unleash a vicious right hand that sent Khan crashing to the canvas where he bumped the back of his head rather badly.
Canelo immediately rushed towards the fallen warrior with a look of concern on his face as doctors gathered around Khan who lay still for a couple of minutes before he recovered and was helped to his corner.
Referee Kenny Bayless didn?t have to count as Khan was out cold. The official time of the KO was 2:36 of the 6th round.
Khan had taken a big shot from Canelo late in the 2nd round but didn?t seem to be unduly bothered by the power of the Mexican who weighed 155 pounds which was the catch-weight agreed upon at the official weigh in but may have rehydrated to around 170 pounds.
After boxing beautifully behind the left jab and lightning quick combinations, Khan was head 40-36 but Canelo began to turn things around in the 5th round. A heavy left from Canelo catches Khan who looked stunned for a moment before regaining his composure when another vicious jab snapped Khan?s head back.
A glancing hook from Canelo late in round 5 opens up a cut over the right eye of Khan forcing his corner to work feverishly to patch it up before the fatal 6th round when Canelo, who had obviously been biding his time, nailed Khan with a perfectly-timed right to end the bout in sensational fashion.
In a post-fight interview Canelo said ?I knew he was very fast and knew it would be competitive in the beginning. But I knew time would come to my favor and you saw that. Many people focus on my power but I have many more qualities in the ring. I like to surprise everyone.?
Khan didn?t make any excuses but said he is moving back to 147 pounds.? Even as he asked Canelo, to face Golovkin.
Alvarez invited Golovkin into the ring and said ?Like I said in Mexico we don?t f?k around. We don?t come to play in this sport. I fear no one in this sport.?
As the fans roared Canelo said ?I?ll fight him right now. Let?s put the gloves on and get in there with him.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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