Bad Left Hook - Khan vs Diaz: Live results, preview, weigh-in, round-by-round, and full coverageGlobal Boxing News and Commentaryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47131/backingthepack-fave.png2013-04-27T18:31:47-04:00http://www.badlefthook.com/rss/stream/40177472013-04-27T18:31:47-04:002013-04-27T18:31:47-04:00Results: Khan survives Diaz
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<figcaption>Scott Heavey</figcaption>
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<p>Julio Diaz put Amir Khan on the canvas and had him in serious trouble a handful of times, but Khan survived and edged out a decision in Sheffield.</p> <p>Amir Khan has a lot more work to do with Virgil Hunter, if he's even capable of changing his style in the long run. Today's fight in Sheffield raised some big red flags, as Khan had to survive a much tougher than anticipated fight with Julio Diaz, but the good news for fans is that it was a hell of a lot of fun to watch, as Khan fights often are.</p>
<p>Khan won on scores of 114-113, 115-112, and 115-113, surviving a fourth round knockdown and a serious charge in the final three rounds from Diaz. BLH scored it 113-113, but we also gave Diaz a 10-8 round in the 10th, and then the final two rounds, as well. Add that to a 10-8 fourth round, and it was 7-5 Khan in terms of rounds for our card, but worked out to an even score overall.</p>
<p>The scores, it should be noted, were entirely fair, and there didn't seem to be any bias whatsoever in the cards that the judges turned in.</p>
<p>Khan (28-3, 19 KO) was pretty upbeat after the fight, complimenting the toughness of Diaz, and giving him plenty of credit. Of the knockdown, Khan said, "He caught me while I was off balance, and I couldn't get my stance back. I went down. I kept moving to recompose myself. That's what happens. There are little things to work on when we go back in the gym."</p>
<p>The 26-year-old Khan had a worrisome performance in many respects, but that's for Virgil Hunter to worry about. (Hunter, as is usually the case, used some positive reinforcement after the fight, saying nothing but good things.) From the perspective of a fight fan, Khan provides consistent entertainment. This bout was somewhat reminiscent of his battle with Marcos Maidana.</p>
<p>It's easy to say, "Same old Khan," and then be all, like, "SMH," but the point is now that we do know who Khan is, and what type of fighter he is. And there are worse things in the world than a vulnerable, exciting fighter.</p>
<p>As for what's next, Richard Schaefer says Khan will return in December in a world title fight.</p>
<p><b>From the Undercard: </b>Terry Flannigan stopped Nate Campbell after four miserable rounds of action, during which Campbell (36-11-1, 26 KO) looked just completely finished, a fighter burnt to a crisp in the ring. It was genuinely sad to watch a fighter who used to have the determination, heart, and drive of Nate Campbell reduced to the shape he was in today, and still fighting. Flannigan (20-0, 6 KO) deserves no flak for the matchmaking or for doing his job, and Campbell deserves no flak for being a worn-down, 41-year-old fighter. It was just plain tough to watch.</p>
<p><i><b>Other Undercard Recaps: </b></i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/27/4275666/wilder-vs-harrison-results-deontay-wilder-scores-first-round-tko-boxing-news">Deontay Wilder TKO-1 Audley Harrison</a><i> ... </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/27/4275554/khan-vs-diaz-results-haroon-khan-wins-pro-debut-gary-sykes-retains">Haroon Khan and Gary Sykes win</a><i> ... </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/27/4275860/khan-vs-diaz-results-anthony-ogogo-successful-in-pro-debut-boxnation-boxing-news">Anthony Ogogo won his pro debut</a><i>.</i></p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/27/4276224/khan-vs-diaz-results-amir-knocked-down-survives-decision-scores-boxing-newsScott Christ2013-04-27T16:40:13-04:002013-04-27T16:40:13-04:00Results: Ogogo wins pro debut
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<p>Anthony Ogogo made his pro debut in Sheffield, winning a second-round TKO.</p> <p>2012 Olympic middleweight bronze medalist Anthony Ogogo made his pro debut today in Sheffield, winning a second round TKO against Kieron Gray on the Khan vs Diaz undercard.</p>
<p>Ogogo (1-0, 1 KO) signed with Golden Boy a while back, and is expected to be one of the flagship attractions of their UK operation. The 24-year-old has the looks, the charisma, and the crossover appeal, as the BoxNation team put it, to become a star in the sport -- if he can deliver in the ring.</p>
<p>Golden Boy's Richard Schaefer spoke glowingly of Ogogo after the fight, as you would expect he would, saying he thinks he can be a superstar in the sport. It's always hard to tell who will and won't be a superstar -- Audley Harrison and Amir Khan had it mapped out for them (not that I'm saying they're the same thing, mind you), while Manny Pacquiao definitely did not. But Ogogo does have that potential -- again, if he delivers in the ring.</p>
<p>Ogogo will be back for his second fight and his US debut on May 18, as part of the Peterson-Matthysse undercard in Atlantic City.</p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/27/4275860/khan-vs-diaz-results-anthony-ogogo-successful-in-pro-debut-boxnation-boxing-newsScott Christ2013-04-27T16:04:30-04:002013-04-27T16:04:30-04:00Results: Wilder stops Audley in one
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<figcaption>Scott Heavey</figcaption>
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<p>Audley Harrison did it again, as he was stopped in 70 seconds by Deontay Wilder today in Sheffield.</p> <p>To the surprise of nobody, Audley Harrison was stopped in the first round today by Deontay Wilder, going down on the first right hand that Wilder landed, and though he got back to his feet, the fight was waved off by referee Terry O'Connor.</p>
<p>Harrison (31-7, 23 KO) complained about the stoppage, but O'Connor may have figured better to stop it there than let it continue. Harrison, 41, looked like he always does when matched against someone good: Tentative, even fearful, and when he was hit, he started to crumble.</p>
<p>But one legitimate complaint Harrison could have is that Wilder (28-0, 28 KO) recklessly threw punches while Harrison was clearly on the canvas. At one point, even Wilder was one knee down, still winging shots.</p>
<p>What you can expect now is for Audley to "contemplate retirement," then decide he'll come back for "one more go." It will be the same old story. It would be nice if Audley retired, or stuck to mid-level fights, without winning a couple of nothing bouts and then being stuck back in to lose within three again.</p>
<p>Our live coverage of Khan-Diaz will continue.</p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/27/4275666/wilder-vs-harrison-results-deontay-wilder-scores-first-round-tko-boxing-newsScott Christ2013-04-27T15:45:20-04:002013-04-27T15:45:20-04:00Results: Haroon Khan, Gary Sykes win
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<figcaption>Scott Heavey</figcaption>
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<p>Haroon Khan got the victory in his pro debut, while Gary Sykes retained a regional 130-pound title in Sheffield.</p> <p>Haroon Khan's pro debut wasn't spectacular, with the sense that he tried too hard to look great, but he came out of it with a four-round decision win over Brett Fidoe in a super flyweight bout. Khan won on a score of 40-37.</p>
<p>Khan (1-0, 0 KO) is the younger and smaller brother of Amir, with a decent amateur background and a bit of hype for his pro career, though in large part that is due to his brother being a star fighter, and that's not meant as a knock on Haroon. He looked a bit displeased with his performance, and perhaps understandably so -- he was wide with his shots, didn't make a lot of impact, and though he won, he probably knows the fight will catch some flak.</p>
<p>Obviously, for anyone with a brain, it's a little early (just a little!) to really judge Khan at all. Let's give it, you know, more fights.</p>
<p>Gary Sykes (24-3, 5 KO) retained his English super featherweight title with a 10-round decision win over Jon Kays (16-3-1, 4 KO). It was a spirited effort from Kays, but Sykes definitely sealed it down the stretch. Scores were 97-94, 98-94, and 98-93.</p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/27/4275554/khan-vs-diaz-results-haroon-khan-wins-pro-debut-gary-sykes-retainsScott Christ2013-04-27T07:00:08-04:002013-04-27T07:00:08-04:00Khan-Diaz: Live results and discussion
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<p>Amir Khan returns to the UK to take on veteran Julio Diaz, with Deontay Wilder facing Audley Harrison in the main undercard bout.</p> <p>Starting this afternoon at 2:30 pm EDT on BoxNation in the United Kingdom, Amir Khan headlines at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, England, facing Mexican veteran Julio Diaz. As part of a solid undercard, American heavyweight prospect Deontay Wilder will take on Audley Harrison.</p>
<p><b>To be very clear: This is <u>LIVE</u> coverage of these fights. Showtime will air Khan-Diaz on tape delay later tonight. BLH will not be avoiding "spoilers" at all. This is a live sporting event, and it's an afterthought for Showtime. If you don't want to know the result early, stay off all of the internet, I guess.</b></p>
<p>Khan (27-3, 19 KO) hopes to get himself back into world title contention soon, and he can't afford any mistakes today against Diaz (40-7-1, 29 KO), a 33-year-old former lightweight titlist who has landed this fight on the strength of a draw against Shawn Porter in December.</p>
<p>Wilder (27-0, 27 KO) is totally untested thus far, which means we can't be totally sure what to expect of him, even against Harrison (31-6, 23 KO), who has totally frozen in the spotlight in his last two major bouts against David Haye and David Price. Audley is the best pro opponent Wilder has ever faced -- and it's not close.</p>
<p>Also on the undercard: Gary Sykes vs Jon Kays for the English super featherweight title, Terry Flannigan vs Nate Campbell, and the pro debuts of Haroon Khan and Anthony Ogogo.</p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/27/4273680/khan-vs-diaz-live-stream-results-round-by-round-coverage-wilder-vs-harrison-boxnation-showtimeScott Christ2013-04-27T04:00:06-04:002013-04-27T04:00:06-04:00Khan-Diaz: TV schedule
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<p>Amir Khan faces Julio Diaz this afternoon from the United Kingdom. Here's how you can watch live.</p> <p>Amir Khan faces Julio Diaz today in Sheffield, his first fight on UK soil since 2011, when he beat Paul McCloskey. Khan won his last bout in December, and on the same card, Diaz drew with Shawn Porter. Today's fight is a 143-pound catchweight matchup with no titles on the line.</p>
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<p><b>Fight Time: </b>2:30 pm EDT</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>BoxNation (UK - Live) / Showtime (US - Tape Delay, airing after Garcia vs Judah)</p>
<p><b>Venue: </b>Motorpoint Arena - Sheffield, England</p>
<p><b>Undercard: </b>Deontay Wilder faces Audley Harrison in a heavyweight crossroads fight between former Olympic medalists ... Prizefighter winner Terry Flannigan faces veteran Nate Campbell in a lightweight bout ... Gary Sykes defends the English super featherweight title against Jon Kays ... 2012 middleweight bronze medalist Anthony Ogogo and Amir's younger brother Haroon Khan make their pro debuts.</p>
<p><b>Ring Walk Times (Estimate): </b>Khan vs Diaz, 5:10 pm EDT; Wilder vs Harrison, 3:30 pm EDT.</p>
<p><b>Live stream: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.boxnation.livesport.tv/">BoxNation subscribers can watch at Livesport.TV</a>.</p>
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<p>BLH will have <i>live</i> coverage starting at 2:30 pm EDT, and we will not be avoiding "spoilers" anywhere on the site.</p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/amir-khan-vs-julio-diaz-showtime-boxnation-live-stream-boxing-coverage/2013/4/27/4273014/amir-khan-vs-julio-diaz-fight-time-live-stream-results-round-by-round-tv-scheduleScott Christ2013-04-26T19:24:40-04:002013-04-26T19:24:40-04:00Staff picks: Khan-Diaz
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<p>Amir Khan returns to the United Kingdom tomorrow to face Julio Diaz in Sheffield. Will Khan continue his rehab period successfully, or can the Mexican veteran pull the big upset?</p> <p><i style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em;">Scott Christ</i></p>
<p>I've been an Amir Khan supporter pretty much since he came into the sport, but my belief in his upside has definitely waned, and it's not because I don't think he's good, and it's not because I think he's annoying, or any of that stuff. He's just a guy with major defensive flaws, and fixing them takes not just hard work, which I have no doubt he can handle, but some kind of change in his brain chemistry, stopping him from doing the things he naturally wants to do.</p>
<p>Diaz is a tougher opponent than Carlos Molina was in December, as he's at least as big as Khan. But Diaz is here because he drew with Shawn Porter, a still-unproven prospect who was hardly a true blue chipper or anything like that. It wasn't that long ago that Kendall Holt walloped Diaz on Friday Night Fights, and he had losses to Victor Cayo and Rolando Reyes just a few years ago. The draw with Porter was a good performance, but Khan is a world class boxer, and while vulnerable, generally handles this level with ease. Is Diaz better than Paulie Malignaggi, Andriy Kotelnik, or Marcos Maidana? No. <b>Khan TKO-6.</b></p>
<p><i style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em;">Tom Craze</i></p>
<p>Let's be clear: on paper, this isn't a good fight. In practice, it doesn't figure to be a particularly competitive one. Khan's as short as an 18-to-1 favourite with the bookmakers, and it's easy to see why. Khan's bigger, faster, younger and, of course, has - at least until the Molina gimme last time out - mixed, by and large, at a consistently higher level. Diaz fought better than many would have expected against Shawn Porter, but when a split-draw against a prospect as green as Porter comprises almost the sum of a fighter's goodwill going into a fight, you have to think they're in trouble.</p>
<p>There are really two question marks in play here, but they're essentially the same ones that we weighed up going into that fight against Molina - who, like Diaz, is really a lightweight. Virgil Hunter's tutelage of Khan hasn't really been tested yet, and it's problematic to use the Molina showing as too much of a gauge of the progress. Does Khan approach this fight with any kind of caution, boxing off the back foot? Or does he, in yet another fight he's said may be his last in the UK, go for the flashy early stoppage to underline his credentials for a big fight later this year? The other, as ever, is Khan's vulnerability. Diaz can bang, at least against lightweights. It's probably not going to matter. This should go the same way as that Molina walkover did, with the Bolton man overpowering and outmanoeuvring his overmatched opponent (try saying that really quickly) to a mid-rounds stoppage. <b>Khan TKO7</b></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Kory Kitchen</i></span></h2>
<p>I can't see this as anything but an easy fight for Khan. He is the more talented fighter, and is much closer to his prime than Diaz who, even at his best, was a solid-not-great lightweight. Khan will dictate the pace and distance from the beginning with his jab and footwork. He land some flashy combos while Diaz tries to work his way inside and land a big punch. Eventually, Diaz will realize that landing that perfect punch is more difficult than he had imagined. Khan will sweep the early rounds then pile on the punishment In the middle rounds before Diaz's corner stops the fight. <b>Khan by mid-round stoppage.</b></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Dave Oakes</i></span></h2>
<p>This is a nice fight for Khan to have in front of his British fans. Diaz is a decent operator but shouldn't pose any threat at all to Khan, whose far superior speed should win him the fight with ease. Khan's vulnerabilities are well known - his chin isn't the sturdiest and his propensity for standing and trading punches makes fights harder for him than they should be, although it does make for entertaining fights for the fans.<br><br>Diaz's come forward style should suit Khan perfectly. I'd imagine Virgil Hunter, Khan's new trainer, will be wanting Khan to box sensibly, pick Diaz off with fast flurries before getting his hands back in front of his chin and using his footwork to move away from danger. Diaz isn't a puncher but Khan would be foolish to take unnecessary risks.<br><br>It should be an easy night for Khan if he sticks to the game plan, his punches should be far too fast and accurate for Diaz to cope with. Diaz also hasn't got the best of chins and he fights face first at times. It's hard to envisage him being able to take Khan's punches without finding himself in trouble at some point, and that makes me believe the bout will be over before the halfway mark. <b>Khan by stoppage.</b></p>
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<h2><span><i>Final Tally: Amir Khan 4, Julio Diaz 0.</i></span></h2>
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https://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/26/4272084/khan-vs-diaz-preview-picks-predictions-bad-left-hook-staff-showtime-boxing-news-boxnationBad Left Hook2013-04-26T18:03:46-04:002013-04-26T18:03:46-04:00Khan ready to get back to world title fights
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<figcaption>Scott Heavey</figcaption>
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<p>Amir Khan is ready to get himself back into world title fights, and still hasn't given up on a potential fight with Floyd Mayweather.</p> <p>Amir Khan may not be looking past Julio Diaz tomorrow in Sheffield, but the 26-year-old former titleholder is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130425/boxing-khan-thinking-big-despite-defeats">itching to get his next world title shot</a>, and rematches with Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia, who beat him in back-to-back fights in 2011-12.</p>
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<p>"I need to keep winning and work my way back to the world titles," Khan told AFP. "I'm determined to win them again. I'm staying at light-welterweight because I want to fight Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia again -- I have unfinished business with them and want to avenge my losses. This fight will take me to a world title shot, hopefully in my next bout."</p>
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<p>Khan (27-3, 19 KO) will face Diaz (42-7, 29 KO) at a catchweight of 143 pounds, which accommodated Diaz, who was recently fighting at welterweight, and Khan, who now doesn't have to boil off those extra few pounds for a non-title fight, as he returns to fight in the UK for the first time in two years.</p>
<p>Amir also manages to bring up his dream fight, which has not served him well in the past:</p>
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<p>"Mayweather is still possible. Not many people are in the same league as fighting him but as long as I don't make many any more mistakes, then why not?"</p>
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<p>Trainer Virgil Hunter, who will be working his second fight with Khan, <a target="_blank" href="http://www1.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/8673085/Virgil-Hunters-backs-Amir-Khan-to-regain-status-as-world-champion">sees no reason his fighter can't be a world champ</a> again:</p>
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<p>"He is in great physical shape, he is still young, he has strength of character. He is the only fighter I have known personally - and I've known some - in the world of boxing who hasn't been affected by a knockout.</p>
<p>"His troubles have been connected to mistakes and not that the other guy was better than him. Because of that, he is still intact confidence-wise."</p>
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<p>If Khan is going to get back into these fights, he needs to deal with Diaz tomorrow, obviously, and the Mexican veteran does have enough power that he can't be totally ignored as a possible live dog. If Amir slips up again, first of all, those big fight dreams are really hurting, and second of all, it would be time for everyone to stop calling it "slipping up."</p>
https://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/26/4271868/amir-khan-targeting-peterson-garcia-rematches-after-diaz-fight-showtime-boxing-newsScott Christ