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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Lightweight Amir Khan (20-1, 15KOs) responds to Andreas Kotelnik’s trash talk and promises to give him a “boxing lesson” in the ring, this coming July 18 at the M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England. The supposed fight’s original date was pushed back to a later date (July 18), when Kotelnik was reported to have had a tooth problem. Albeit, some have claimed that Andreas was hammered in sparring.

Amir Khan is clearly upset about the comments that Kotelnik has been throwing at him. Kotelnik apparently referred to Khan’s inexperience and young age, calling Khan a “boy.” Khan responded by saying that he will be Kotelnik’s teacher inside the boxing ring. Khan is hoping to show Kotelnik, on the night of their fight, that he has mentally and physically matured as a boxer, and that he should not be taken too lightly. He clearly aims to rearrange Kotelnik’s face when their paths will cross in the ring.

However, Kotelnik says that he will knock Khan out in the same way that Breidis Prescott did, something that had really affected Khan immensely. Khan then responded that he was, during his fight with Prescott, still flawed and that he had improved his defensive skills since then. Khan added that Kotelnik would have to hit him hard on the chin if he wants to knock him out. However, Khan believes that Kotelnik will not be able to land any of his shots at him. Khan looked a completely different fighter in the five rounds of his bout with Marco Antonio Barrera in March. Khan is expected to be moving a lot in their fight to prevent Kotelnik from landing his shots.

Amir Khan is convinced that the fight will be exciting, but is adamant that he will see off the experienced Ukranian, because of his steady improvement under coach Freddie Roach.

Khan has youth on his side at 22 compared to the 31 yr. old Kotelnik. However, Kotelnik is in the prime of his career whereas Khan is still developing as a fighter. Khan has the physical tools to win, but he needs to avoid the mistakes that he made in the Prescott fight if he has a chance of winning.

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