PBC on SPIKE
Las Vegas, NV – Boxing’s super busy schedule trudges forward this weekend with another installment of Al Haymon’s successful network time share fight series “Premiere Boxing Champions”. This week’s card will be typified by an intriguing welterweight (147 lb.) scrap between two charismatic and world elite combatants when former two-time jr. welterweight (140) belt holder Amir Khan (30-3, 19 KOs) faces former jr. welterweight strap carrier Chris Algieri (20-1, 8 KOs) in a scheduled 12 or less rounds of throw down. Live televised coverage begins FRIDAY at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT from the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York on Spike TV.
Khan (left) smashing an opponent with a deadly left hook
AMIR KHAN OR A MERE CON?
Going into his 19th professional bout against (at the time) unbeaten contender Breidis Prescott, the buzz was high for Amir to rise to the top of the game. Khan, however got starched by a right hand from Prescott and lasted just 54 seconds in the bout (L KO 1). Removed from the embarrassment against Prescott, Amir went on to win eight straight (3 KOs) and managed to pick up the WBA and IBF straps. That win streak was highlighted with victories over Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera (W TD 5), Paulie Malignaggi (W TKO 11), Zab Judah (KO 5) and Marcos Maidana (W UD 12).
Just three bouts removed from his exhilarating war against fierce scrapper Marcos Maidana in which Britain’s Amir Khan appeared to have proved his “nay sayers” wrong in regard to his “heart” and chin; Khan returned to the spotlight for a sixth attempted title defense against Danny Garcia. That night proved to be another disastrous set back in the career of Khan as he was devastatingly knocked out by a sharper and stronger foe in Garcia (KO 4). Since the huge disappointing loss to Garcia, Khan has fought only 4 times in the past 3 years. Albeit, Khan has looked solid in winning all contests during that span, in the eyes of most experts he was facing frivolous opposition. Hence; questions loom as to what his future holds a dominate force at welterweight.
Algeiri after his win against Provodnikov
ALGEIRI KNOWN FOR BEING BOUNCED AROUND BY PACMAN
We last saw Long Islander Chris Algieri getting hammered from pillar to post by a solid version of Manny Pacquiao (L UD 12). However before his “bad night” in China, Chris rose to prominence by dethroning some very high profile combatants which had been highlighted by (narrowly) out pointing rough and tough pug Ruslan Provodnikov (W SD 12). In a life and death struggle against Ruslan, Algieri displayed unyielding will by not succumbing to a couple of early knockdowns administered by Provodnikov. Such poise accompanied by a fundamentally sound fighting style led Chris to be triumphant on that evening in emphatic fashion. In addition to his nod over Provodnikov, Algieri has some solid wins over formidable foes such as Mike Arnaoutis (W UD 10) and Emmanuel Taylor (W UD 10). Since the setback against Manny, Algieri surveyed his inventory and removed long time trainer Tim “gonna let him out the cage” Lane and upped his game by acquiring highly decorated trainer John David Jackson (trained Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, and currently trains Sergey Kovalev) in hopes to complete his bid at world supremacy.
Sig’s Pick: I love this fight. It’s a crossroads type “pick ‘em” affair. Khan has the speed, power and experience while Algieri has the size, slickness and heart. Both guys are likable and are a good representation of the sport…so my pick??? I have Algieri stopping Khan late. My belief is that the time off Chris has had since the Pacquiao fight, coupled with the tutelage he is gaining from John David Jackson will come together in perfect harmony and have him out box, out hustle and batter Khan into submission somewhere around the 11th round or before. Look for Khan to drop his hands in heated exchanges (as he so often does) and get drilled by his taller counterpart and flattened.
John Signorella