It was a bizarre spectacle and event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as Amir Khan returned to action with an as expected, dominant fourth round knockout of late notice opponent, Billy Dib.
Khan was eager to get his lightning combinations working early on, as he stalked the Aussie in an attempt to pin his man down.
Dib couldn’t find success, and was constantly countered when going for attacks of his own. Case in point came in the opening minute of the second, when Khan perfectly timed a counter left, on top of Dib’s own left hand attempt.
Dib survived the count, but the gulf was evident, as Khan wasn’t troubled by the power of a man used to operating four weight classes south of Welterweight. The man from down under lasted until round four, when a rapid left right combination allowed Khan to unleash an attack that finished with a big left hand, decking Dib for the second time, with the towel immediately coming in from his corner.
Khan picked up the WBC International Title as a result of his win, but its unclear what the plan is going forward. Khan had targeted Manny Pacquiao ahead of this contest, but it remains to be seen if that fight, or a domestic clash with Kell Brook could be arranged.
Hughie Fury made heavy weather of the limited former WBC Heavyweight Champion, Samuel Peter, in a real tough watch.
Fury started off nice and relaxed, off a fluid jab, and landed with an early right hand. Peter, by contrast, was slow and cumbersome, and Fury’s right hand connected near enough every time he threw it towards Peter’s direction. “The Nigerian Nightmare” had a point deducted in round four for a wild left hook landed a long time after the referee called a break.
It was a messy affair, with Fury becoming entangled with Peter regularly, and the Nigerian was walking a tightrope with the referee after another flouting of the rules in the fifth. A low blow followed by blatant shots behind the back of Fury’s head forced a warning from the official.
Fury was being far too casual for comfort, allowing Peter to gain confidence, and launch more meaningful assaults. The end thankfully came in round seven, when, after another foul filled attack from the 38 year old, he pulled away in discomfort, with his left shoulder seemingly dislocated.
The referee gave Peter all the time in the world to recover, and he was finally pulled out by his corner
A man with a lot to say for himself, Prince Patel, was humbled in a challenge for the vacant IBO Bantamweight Title, as Michell Banquez eased his was to a wide points win.
Patel had been used to getting his own way, having beaten some shocking levels of opponent in the last eighteen months especially, and was truly found out as Banquez dominated proceedings.
Patel struggled to get his shots off, as Banquez was able to dictate with ease, and it was inevitable when the contest went the full twelve rounds as to who the winner was.
Banquez picked up the belt with two scores of 119-109 and one of 118-110 to hand the brash Patel a first professional defeat.
