After all the trash talking and bad blood. Amir Khan comes out and fights a masterful performance. He took every round until the ref had to stop the fight. Both fighters hug afterwards and Paulie’s face looks a mess. Amir looks like a new fighter and was very convincing. The war of words seems to have subsided and hugs all around. Ring Entrance Paulie came out to more boos than expected and Amir came out to more cheers than expected. Roach could be seen over Khan’s shoulder looking very focused. Fighter Introductions Michael Buffer is in the house and he does it’s “Buffer Time”. From the Mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden, “Let’s get ready to rumble.” Paulie is introduced first to a good reaction. Amir gets introduced and also receives a good reaction. The crowd seems split on the two. Ref Instructions Both fighters look serious and don’t really want to touch gloves. Round 1 Fighters come to the middle and lock up after a missed punch by Amir., This happens two more times. Finally the lock up and start hitting each other while the other hand holds, Ref breaks and the two regroup in the mi8ddle. Khan lands some nice jabs and a solid left hand. Paulie is getting out-boxed. Khan lands a jab and a left hand follow. The lock up in the ropes, ref breaks. Khan is landing some clean shots on every attempt. Paulie landing a few body shots but Khan is landing the jabs. Paulie comes back and throw some shots but Khan blocks. The two lock up and ref breaks. Khan lands some shots at the end of round. Round Winner – Local fans give Amir Khan the round and I have to agree. Khan was technically efficient and quicker. Adam L. Sacramento, CA “Amir looks crisp and focused.” Round 2 Round opens with Amir landing a good shot to the face. Paulie trying to close the gap but Khan blocks punches. Paulie trying to work the body and starts moving from Khan’s jabs. Paulie looking a bit more comfortable and then eats a right from Khan. Fighters lock up and ref breaks. Khan lands a nice left-right combo. Then he goes back to the jab. Paulie holds the back of Khan’s head an throws a punch. Ref warns Paulie. Khan comes back out jabbing. The crowd is intense as they react to every solid shot. Khan working the jab as Paulie tries to get inside. Round Winner – Local fans gfive it to Khan for landing the power shots. Michael C. Roseville, CA “Khan looks like he’s listening to Freddie.”
Round 3 Paulie opens up the round with a flurry but it seems that Amir is blocking the punches. Paulie counters with a left hook. Amir gets Paulie in a head lock. Max Kellerman keeps saying that this fight is a “high sped chess match”. Paulie lands a another nice counter hook when Amir goes for a jab. Amir gets Paulie into a headlock again. Amir lands the jabs after the ref break. Paulie much more effective this round and lands a nice left. The intensity is picking up between the two. Amir almost catches Paulie with an elbow. Both fighters hit each other in the back of the head. Khan lands a body shot and then follows with a right to the head. Paulie chases Khan around the ring and they exchange in the corner. Round Winner – This round was much closer. Local fans give it to Paulie. Tony S. Sacramento, CA “Paulie is starting to warm up.” Lederman has given all 3 rounds to Amir Khan. Round 4 Khan comes out looking calm and keeps Paulie at the end of his jab. Paulie tries to jab his own. Khan keeps following up with his jab. Khan lands a nice left hook to the face. Fighters are bouncing around then lock up. Ref tells them to fight out of it. Paulie lands a left hook and the crowd is cheering. Amir is fighting a smart fight and is out-boxing Paulie. Both men looking to land their jabs. Fighters lock up in the corner and ref breaks. Less action this round. Round Winner – Local fans give the round to Amir. He landed more big punches. Khan has landed 87 punches to Paulie’s 53 through 4 rounds.
Round 5 They come out and lock up, ref breaks. Khan goes back to the jab. Paulie can’t find a way to get past the jab. Khan lands a big body shot and pushes Paulie down on the mat. Ref tells Paulie to stay on his feet. Khan lands a nice left hand. Nice straight right from Khan. Another big left to the body of Paulie. Khan is looking technically superior tonight. Fighters lock up and Paulie pushes Amir off. Khan snaps the head of Paulie with the jab. Round comes to a close with Khan landing a nice follow up right. Round Winner – Local fans give the round to Amir for landing more punches. Jason P Sacramento, CA “Amir is looking solid.” Lederman has all 5 rounds to Khan.
