KHAN PICKS PACQUIAO,SAYS HE?LL BE TOO EXPLOSIVE FOR DE LA HOYA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Nov 2008
Britain?s promising lightweight Amir Khan says Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao has a good chance of beating ?The Golden Boy? Oscar De La Hoya in theur ?Dream Match? at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 6.
The 21 year old Khan who won a silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004 has been sparring with Pacquiao at the Wild Card Gym of celebrated two-time ?Trainer of the Year? Freddie Roach since last early last week.
In his first sparring session when he went two rounds with Pacquiao, Khan?s speed appeared to bother Pacquiao who soon recovered and handled the young Briton very well.
Khan was back in the gym where he is being trained by Roach for his next fight which is also on December 6 in England and sparred eighth rounds with the Filipino southpaw on Saturday (Sunday in Manila.)
Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times quoted Khan as saying ?Manny's in great shape -- very explosive, very fast, you don't know where his punches are coming from. He's got a good chance to beat Oscar."
Khan who has a record of 18-1 with 14 knockouts is hoping to recover from a stunning first-round knockout loss to Breidis Prescott in England when he reportedly got careless and was nailed..
Roach and Pacquiao?s conditioning guru Alex Ariza said Khan was good for Pacquiao?s preparation because he was tall, had a good jab and both speed and power. Khan himself told the LA Times ?I'm very quick, with a good jab like Oscar, and I'm taller than Manny, like Oscar. It'll make Manny think about what's coming."
But Khan said from his personal observation he believes Pacquiao can compensate for his moving from the lightweight limit of 135 pounds when he won the WBC title with a 9th round demolition of David Diaz to fight De La Hoya at the stipulated weight of 147 pounds.
Khan said "Manny's so sharp and quick. Speed is power," echoing what both Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Roach have maintained ? that ?speed kills.?
Khan added. "Manny's got a good chin to handle what Oscar throws at him. He'll just be too explosive for Oscar, and he's a big puncher himself."
Top photo: Roach, Pacquiao and Khan at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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