| |
|
KHAN PICKS PACQUIAO,SAYS HE?LL BE TOO EXPLOSIVE FOR DE LA HOYA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Nov 2008
Britain?s promising lightweight Amir Khan says Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao has a good chance of beating ?The Golden Boy? Oscar De La Hoya in theur ?Dream Match? at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 6.
The 21 year old Khan who won a silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004 has been sparring with Pacquiao at the Wild Card Gym of celebrated two-time ?Trainer of the Year? Freddie Roach since last early last week.
In his first sparring session when he went two rounds with Pacquiao, Khan?s speed appeared to bother Pacquiao who soon recovered and handled the young Briton very well.
Khan was back in the gym where he is being trained by Roach for his next fight which is also on December 6 in England and sparred eighth rounds with the Filipino southpaw on Saturday (Sunday in Manila.)
Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times quoted Khan as saying ?Manny's in great shape -- very explosive, very fast, you don't know where his punches are coming from. He's got a good chance to beat Oscar."
Khan who has a record of 18-1 with 14 knockouts is hoping to recover from a stunning first-round knockout loss to Breidis Prescott in England when he reportedly got careless and was nailed..
Roach and Pacquiao?s conditioning guru Alex Ariza said Khan was good for Pacquiao?s preparation because he was tall, had a good jab and both speed and power. Khan himself told the LA Times ?I'm very quick, with a good jab like Oscar, and I'm taller than Manny, like Oscar. It'll make Manny think about what's coming."
But Khan said from his personal observation he believes Pacquiao can compensate for his moving from the lightweight limit of 135 pounds when he won the WBC title with a 9th round demolition of David Diaz to fight De La Hoya at the stipulated weight of 147 pounds.
Khan said "Manny's so sharp and quick. Speed is power," echoing what both Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Roach have maintained ? that ?speed kills.?
Khan added. "Manny's got a good chin to handle what Oscar throws at him. He'll just be too explosive for Oscar, and he's a big puncher himself."
Top photo: Roach, Pacquiao and Khan at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia
, Sat, 26 Jul 2025Sulaimàn visits El Salvador and Announces Extraordinary Boxing Event on September 20
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 26 Jul 2025JARON ‘BOOTS’ ENNIS PENS LONG-TERM MULTI-FIGHT EXTENSION WITH MATCHROOM AND DAZN
, Sat, 26 Jul 2025Fighters Make Weight in Brico Santig’s Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 25 Jul 2025UNDERCARD ADDITIONS TO CROCKER VS DONOVAN 2
, Fri, 25 Jul 2025Donaire Listed as Interim Bantam Champion; Ten Pinoys in Top Three World Title Contenders
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 25 Jul 2025FLORES VS. CHAVEZ ENDS IN THRILLING MAJORITY DRAW BEFORE SOLD-OUT COACHELLA VALLEY CROWD
, Fri, 25 Jul 2025WBA 108 World Champ Rosa Defends Against Takami Wednesday in Japan; Winner Could Face AJ Paciones Next
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 25 Jul 2025CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. LANI DANIELS OPEN MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
, Fri, 25 Jul 2025Weights from Atlantic City
, Fri, 25 Jul 2025Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Aims for First World Title against Mexican Puncher Jorge Garcia
, Fri, 25 Jul 2025PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III Fights Davao Acting Mayor Baste Duterte in a Charity Boxing Match; Who Wins? (Long Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 25 Jul 2025Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki Back in the gym, returning to ring October 25 in Nova Scotia
, Fri, 25 Jul 2025CROCKER AND DONOVAN REMATCH FOR IBF WELTERWEIGHT CROWN AT CLEARER TWIST NATIONAL STADIUM AT WINDSOR PARK IN FIRST EVER ALL-IRISH WORLD TITLE FIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 13
, Thu, 24 Jul 2025Italian next for Magsayo?
By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 24 Jul 2025GM Daniel Quizon to defend title in Kamatyas chess rapid tiff
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 24 Jul 2025QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OFFICIAL CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. LANI DANIELS PRESS CONFERENCE AT LITTLE CAESARS ARENA IN DETROIT
, Thu, 24 Jul 2025STACKED “NOWHERE TO RUN” UNDERCARD REVEALED! FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS REGIS “ROUGAROU” PROGRAIS AND JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ CLASH IN SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT
, Thu, 24 Jul 2025Golden Boy's Fantasy Springs Card Cleared for Action: All Fighters Make Weight
, Thu, 24 Jul 2025Bipartisan Bill Introduced in Congress to Revitalize American Boxing and Protect Fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 24 Jul 2025Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
, Thu, 24 Jul 2025WBA Bantamweight World Champion Antonio Vargas Lands in Japan Ahead of Title Defense Against Daigo Higa
, Thu, 24 Jul 2025Boxing at Tropicana Atlantic City – Tickets On Sale for July 25 Event
, Thu, 24 Jul 2025Boxing Icon and 8-Time World Champion Thomas Hearns Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
, Thu, 24 Jul 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 23 JULY 2025: Usyk KOs Dubois; Barrios-Pacquiao Ends in Draw; Fundora Stops Tszyu; Rodriguez TKOs Cafu
By Eric Armit, , Wed, 23 Jul 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
