Peterson vs Khan II: Timothy Bradley Favors Peterson to Win Again
by Scott Christ on Feb 10, 2012 5:03 PM EST
in Boxing News Analysis
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Timothy Bradley, who currently sits at the top of the world's 140-pound rankings as he prepares to move up in weight to face Manny Pacquiao on June 9, is favoring Lamont Peterson to more convincingly defeat Amir Khan in their May 19 rematch for the WBA and IBF belts.
From BoxingScene.com:
"I think Peterson is going to go back and start off where he left off, I'm sure. He knows that Khan can't take pressure. I just don't see Khan becoming this great inside-fighter in a couple of months. I don't see that happening. I pick Peterson in that fight and I pick him to win convincingly this time."
Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO) defeated Khan (26-2, 18 KO) on December 10 in Washington, DC, but the fight had a lot of controversy with the scoring, the refereeing, and even Mustafa Ameen, the "mystery man" in the hat. (By the way, I don't know that Ameen ever got his apology from Khan after threatening a lawsuit.)
Bradley makes valid points. The harshest criticisms of Khan have been:
- He has a horrible time making adjustments mid-fight, and can only fight effectively in one mode.
- He's really bad with the inside game ("really bad" for a world class fighter, of course), which is where Peterson has the ability to truly outclass Khan.
Peterson turned down a potential date with Juan Manuel Marquez to take this fight, so obviously he and manager/trainer Barry Hunter must like their chances in a second dance with Khan. There's a reasonable question to ask of Peterson, too, which is, "Can he do better than he did the first time out?" Was that Peterson's absolute best possible effort?
It would seem Khan can fight better. But can he? He has to adjust. He has to be better inside. And with the fight coming in three months, Bradley's doubt that Khan can truly improve his inside fighting game is pretty reasonable.
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I'll say now, I'm backing Peterson to win wider than before.
Nerves cost him a knockdown and the first couple of rounds; a few other rounds, he let Khan off the hook and didn’t throw enough punches. This time around, he’ll be more far more confident and know that his faults are more easily corrected than Khan’s. If Amir hasn’t learnt the lessons of the last fight and still believes he lost because of the referee and Hatman, he could be in for a long, painful night here.
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on Feb 10, 2012 5:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
bq. Was that Peterson’s absolute best possible effort?
For the most part yes, but I do think he can improve on the really shaky start he had last time.
It would seem Khan can fight better. But can he?
Bradley makes a good point and Khan having very little time to learn much inside game. However, I think he can be better about staying off the ropes and keeping the fight at a distance he’s much better suited to fight at without running or pushing. That’s the best case scenario for Khan.
If I had to pick I’d still have to say Peterson will win by decision. I don’t think Khan will gain enough discipline to fight smart enough to beat Peterson.
I think Khan won the first fight
But I do think Peterson will be more prepared for the early onslaught this time. That said, Peterson came prepared against Ortiz and Khan and he still went down…so maybe he’s just a very slow starter and a good/great closer.
Khan should just be Khan and NOT hold and push. I think that’s doable. For his sake, I hope so.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
I honestly think agst Bradley, Ortiz, and Khan… Peterson started off VERY nervous and shaky… I honestly think he has stage fright in every big fight and improves with every big fight as well. Based on what I’ve seen of his gym workouts he is MUCH more skillful than his big fights display and we have and will continue to see more dimensions and aspects of his game the more he fights and the more he gets used to the big stage. I honestly feel the Victor Cayo fight was the first big fight (title eliminator) in which he displayed a good deal of what he could do… work the body, shoulder roll right hand (and the shoulder roll right hook to the chest), and being really skilled defensively. I think Peterson’s skills are top notch, and like a flower it will take time to bloom and to ferment as time goes on. I think 5-6 fights down the line, Peterson will be one of the best P4P fighters in the world, and with that, I think he’s an average to above average athlete, but an amazing fighter. I feel the opposite of Khan: amazing athlete, above average fighter. B/c Khan is a better athlete does not mean he will improve much or a lot as a fighter in the next two fight. To add, Khan has a big ego, does BIG ego equal to change? I think not. Holler!
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
Or
Maybe he’’s a great gym fighter who is not a big stage fighter.
I like Peterson and loved the grit and skills that he displayed in composing himself and returning fire in the Khan fight. His body work was excellent and was the perfect antidote to Khan’s strengths.
Personally I think he may have given JMM a certain kind of hell had they met. Let’s see how the man does in his rematch.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
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