A lot of news has broke this pas week with quotes from Freddie Roach saying he has decided to hold off on retiring alongside Manny Pacquiao because he believes Amir Khan will be just as good, if not better, than Pacman.
I hate to break it to you Freddie, but Amir Khan will never reach Pacquiao?s level of success in boxing. You may be able change a fighters style and you may be able to make him more technically sound. But if Saturday night?s close decision win over Marcos Maidana proved anything, it?s that you can?t teach a guy how to have a better chin.
At the beginning of Khan?s fight with Maidana, I was almost a believer. King Khan looked faster, stronger and his ring presence looked better than ever. I was amazed at how much Roach was able to improve him in such a short time. But then guess what happened? Maidana tested Khan?s chin and the UK star failed miserably.
While Khan was never officially knocked down, he was wobbly and ready to go on numerous occasions. The only reason he was lucky enough to stay off the canvas is because he ran away and backpedaled throughout the last half of the fight.
I don?t want to make this sound like I?m dissing Freddie Roach because I am most certainly not. I think he?d one of the best trainers the sport has ever seen, but nobody can give Khan what he needs to become an elite fighter. Nobody can give him a stronger chin.
With that said, I hope Freddie realizes this and stops talking about Khan like he?s the best thing since sliced bread. As much as I like and respect Roach as one of the best trainers to ever live, I hope he retires whenever Pacquiao decides to do the same. No matter what either of them accomplish, Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach are two names that will always be mentioned in the same sentence.
