Boxing Updates: Latest Boxing Event

Amir Khan (21-1, 15KOs), 2004 Olympic silver medalist, proved to the whole world that he can bring superfights in the Junior Welterweight boxing division after easily defeating Andreas Kotelnik (31-3-1, 13KOs). Amir Khan took out Kotelnik by a 12-round unanimous decision, acquiring Kotelnik’s WBA light welterweight title at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester.

During the fight, Amir Khan had shown his huge improvement under his new trainer Freddie Roach. Amir Khan definitely improved his speed over Kotelnik, which gave him control of the pace of the fight. Khan started aggressively, but Kotelnik gave a strong late outburst. Generally, Khan dominated Kotelnik in terms of power and speed, but mostly in terms of power. In addition to that, Khan was more defensive in his fighting style. His habit of exposing his chin was lessened as he would tuck his chin and move around to keep out of Kotelnik’s punching range.

Unfortunately, Kotelnik became very complacent, giving Khan the chance to find his groove. He should have given his best from the start. In boxing, you can’t allow your opponent to establish his rhythm, or else you will be in great danger.

Another thing that I had noticed was, it seemed that Andreas Kotelnik lacked power during that fight, since Kotelnik’s punches after round six did not seem to have any effect on Khan. He needed a punch that could upset Khan’s rhythm and style, but he was never able to find that punch.

Kotelnik had difficulty with Khan’s speed, making it hard for him to quickly shift from defense to offense and vice versa. But he still did a good job of not getting too overwhelmed by Khan. Andreas Kotelnik should be given credit for not giving up so easily.

The judges’ scores were 120-108, 118-111, and 118-111.

Khan-Hatton

After defeating Andreas Kotelnik, Khan’s trainer Freddie Roach says that his fighter could be looking at a possible fight with another British boxer, Ricky Hatton. However, promoter Frank Warren had advised Ricky Hatton to retire and avoid the showdown with the current WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan.

Frank Warren was Ricky Hatton’s former promoter, but they split and Warren is now Amir Khan’s current promoter.

Ricky Hatton is still in the hospital for some unknown reason and there is still no telling if Ricky Hatton would insist on challenging Amir Khan for a super fight.

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Promoter Frank Warren and his organization feels that pranksters are trying to undermine the Amir Khan versus Andreas Kotelnik bout. Many of the posters in Manchester, England, that advertised the upcoming fight between Khan and Kotelnik were reported to be vandalized. On the said posters were large yellow ‘Cancelled’ stickers purposefully attached.

The poster contained very important information about the upcoming fight, such as the fight date and ticket details.

Just recently, there had been numerous rumors that scattered around the internet, sabotaging the anticipated bout. Rumors that reported of Kotelnik getting a hand injury and that he was going to be replaced by John Murray had spread throughout the online boxing community. But Kotelnik’s promoter said that his fighter is in good health, indicating that the rumors were not true.

The reason for such an attack against the Khan-Kotelnik bout is still unknown. It is also not known whether it is a direct attack against either Amir Khan or Andreas Kotelnik. Whoever is responsible seems to be very determined to hinder the fight from materializing.

I have to say that the people who did this are rather selfish to try to keep other people from enjoying boxing.

It is probably out of jealousy that some people could go so far to damage other people. Amir Khan had some very convincing sold out fights in his career, and most likely others are envious of him. He is probably disliked because he had reached such a status without facing not too many well-matched opponents since he had turned professional. But, Khan can use this to his advantage. This could also mean that there will be people who will be buying tickets to see him get beaten. Hence, he would still have high ticket sales. It could very well increase the ticket sales instead of undermining it.

Amir Khan and Andreas Kotelnik should not let themselves be bothered by such things anymore. Instead, they should just focus on how to get a win from each other. Both fighters should know by now that they can’t please everybody. They will always have fans and as well as enemies.

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Freddie Roach is confident that Amir Khan (20-1, 15 KOs) will win against the Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik (31-2, 13 KO’s) in July 18, and that this win will open up an opportunity for a Khan-Hatton showdown. Roach thinks that the fight will receive great feedback in the UK, since both fighters are fairly popular there.

“… I think it would be a huge fight, here in the United Kingdom you would sell a lot of tickets and make a lot of money, so why not?” Roach explained. “I think it would be a huge great fight. I think it could happen soon to be honest with you.”

This fight may be able to bring a lot of money for both Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton. However, it still depends on the result of the Khan-Kotelnik bout. If Amir Khan loses to the Ukranian light welterweight champion, which most critics think is very likely to happen, then people might lose interest in a Khan-Hatton fight. In addition to that, Hatton seems to be interested in the WBA title, and if Khan cannot win the title, then Hatton might look for other bouts somewhere else.

Roach told Sky Sports News that Hatton might not be able to resist a possible bout with Khan once Khan has the WBA title around his waist.

Ricky Hatton, needs a huge win right now, to give him a boost and put his career back on track, after being dismantled by a second round knockout from Manny Pacquiao, past May 2.

Khan is a perfect target for Hatton, because of several reasons. First, Khan is very popular, and a fight with Khan can generate more ticket sales. Second, Khan has a weak chin, if Hatton can take advantage of Khan’s vulnerability then there is a good chance of him winning without having his own chin tested.

This could be Hatton’s chance to reacquire his glory and honor as a boxer. He is already 30 years old and could be past his prime, but he wants to prove his critics otherwise.

Both fighters will have to face their fears of being knocked out by their opponents.

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