Golden Boy will be looking for Khan to cast a spell on America as the WBA Champ takes on the ‘Magic Man’
After months of speculating over whom Amir Khan’s next opponent will be for his long-awaited American debut, Golden Boy have finally decided on a partner for the Brit to take to the dance; fast-talking New Yorker Paul Malignaggi. After leaving English promoter Frank Warren to join up with Golden Boy, the WBA light welterweight Champion has revealed that he is desperate to become a big name in the United States. And he believes his new handlers will allow him to become just that. The first step of Khan’s American dream requires him to make an immediate splash across the pond from his home in Bolton, England. Therefore, Khan’s choice of opponent in his first fight in America was crucial.
Juan Manuel Marquez was a name thrown around and awful amount but Khan is perhaps fortunate that the great Mexican did not want the fight. Although Khan perhaps has the speed and talent to cause an aging Marquez problems, a fight against one of the pound for pound greatest fighters of the past decade would make for an extremely tough first outing in America (particularly if you have never fought there before).
Marcos Maidana was the next name to reach Khan’s radar but at this stage in his career, that match up is a high risk, low reward fight particularly when Maidana punches hard enough to take down concrete walls. Hatton was also talked about but that would have been a fight that had to take place in England. Meanwhile, bouts against other talented light welterweight champions Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley are fights that need to marinate in order to reach their full pay-per-view potential. So Malignaggi in Madison Square Garden was the fight Khan and Golden Boy settled on. And a good piece of match making it appears to be too.
Khan vs. Malignaggi Preview
Although Malignaggi is certainly a live opponent, his record of 27 (5) – 3 does not appear too formidable; particularly as his knock out percentage is 16.67%! Khan (and his suspect chin) would rather take a clean shot from the ‘Magic Man’ than Maidana with his astonishing 92.86% knock out percentage. Also, while the New Yorker is no doubt a skillful fighter, he struggles against opponents that back him up. In his first ever loss to Miguel Cotto, Malignaggi put on a brave performance but could not deal with Puerto Rican while being forced away from the center of the ring.
The Magic Man also had no end of trouble with Hatton’s aggressive come forward style and although Malignaggi looked good in his second fight with Juan Diaz, the New Yorker looked flustered in parts of their controversial first fight when the Baby Bull was on the charge. So one might feel that if Khan can get on the front foot and use his speed and power to back Malignaggi up (as Freddie Roach will no doubt instruct his pupil to do) Khan should win the fight and perhaps just importantly in his quest to win over America, look good in doing so.
So in his first fight in America and in the ‘Mecca of boxing’ what can Khan produce against Malignaggi in the Magic Man’s back yard?
Khan vs. Malignaggi Prediction
Despite gaining a first round stoppage over Dmitriy Salita in his most recent fight, Khan is likely to come out rather cautiously against Malignaggi. This is Khan’s first fight in the country he hopes to take by storm and he will be up against a partisan crowd by facing Malignaggi in New York (something he is not at all used to) so he will no doubt be slightly cagey. Malignaggi however, will be confident in an arena he knows well and will be the aggressor in the first few rounds which will likely lead Khan to make some early mistakes in his eagerness to impress and the quick fisted Malignaggi will be able to take advantage of them. The New Yorker will be the one to catch the judges’ eyes at the start.
However, Roach will get Khan to settle after about round three and the tide will begin to turn. Khan will start utilizing his skills fully to dictate the fight to his American foe. Khan will start backing Malignaggi up which will allow the Champion to build in confidence.
By the middle rounds, Khan will be fully in control and impressing the crowd with his dazzling speed and timing. While Malignaggi will have some success with a few well-timed counters, Khan will be taking the rounds on the judge’s scorecards. By the late rounds, Khan will be looking for a stoppage and stepping up the pace. Malignaggi though, has a great chin and is a tough nut to crack.
He will put on a spirited display in the closing rounds but when the final bell rings, Khan will retain his title by unanimous decision and look good in doing so. The tough part could be who to match Khan with after the fight with Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley watching on in a talented light welterweight division.
