I WENT to bed last Sunday night with a seamless grin pasted from ear to ear.
No, it?s not because Sun Star Cebu decided to give this Last Rounder a bonus paycheck for all the times I called a fight correctly (now there?s an idea!)
Wouldn?t that be something?
But last Sunday, we went 4 four 4 for a 100% accuracy in our fight predictions.
Amir Khan beat Maidana by decision, ditto with Abner Mares over Vic Darchinyan in an upset victory. Georges St. Pierre repeated over Josh Koscheck and Joseph Agbeko, as predicted schooled Yohyny Perez in 12 rounds.
Definitely not a bad way to end the year.
KHAN OVER MAIDANA. Amir Khan won over Maidana, all right, but it was hardly a breakthrough performance as some have been hailing it.
In my last column, I posed the query as to whether or not Khan is for real. The jury?s still out on this one, as far as this writer is concerned.
Khan started out fast, and predictably his hand speed and reach advantage served him well in the first few minutes as he landed numerous jabs and combinations.
Suddenly, Khan landed a body shot that sent Maidana down grimacing. The pained expression on his face made me think that the kid was finished, but he got up and was able to finish the round quite credibly.
In the next few rounds, however, Maidana kept on tugging at his shorts as if its very presence was constricting his breathing. If any, it was clearly a signal for Khan to take matters more decisively.
However, Khan was either too patient or too wary of Maidana?s power that he did not press the issue enough and by the fourth round, Maidana was somewhat recovered and once again winging his blows.
The back and forth action continued with Khan exhibiting nimble footwork and Maidana following him around like a jilted lover.
In the tenth round, Khan?s character was severely tested as Maidana landed a chopping right on his jaw and his knees turned rubbery.
The fiery Maidana sensed that this was his opportunity for victory and he poured it on, landing more than a dozen unanswered blows that had Khan reeling from pillar to post.
The ref could have stopped it at that point, and it could arguably have been called proper since Khan was wobbly and most of those blows landed cleanly.
Khan was lucky to finish the round and he spent the remaining two avoiding Maidana?s rushes and alternately firing back to keep things honest.
THOUGHTS. I will give Khan props for surviving Maidana and his concussive power, but there?s really nothing to get excited about especially when you recall the way he was running around the ring, turning his back at times and flailing to avoid the onslaught.
For all the bravado about Roach in his corner, you would think he would at least have learned a thing or two about firing back even when you?re backing up like stable-mate Manny Pacquiao.
Granted, there?s nobody like Pacquiao, but the hype surrounding Khan is woefully not supported by the evidence.
For one, his chin did hold up to the bombardment, but only because he managed to hide it so well after he got tagged.
At least he showed courage under fire and he definitely learned a lot about how to deal with a murderous puncher who wants nothing more than to decapitate you.
I would give his performance a B+, considering the nascent stage of his career and the level of opponent.
And I?m being generous. After all, it?s Christmas.
(This Sunday, I will tackle Abner Mares and GSP)QUOTED. ?That?s why I?m such a seller at arenas and I?m such a great fighter because I fight with heart and I?ve got skill.?–Amir Khan (www.telegraph.co.uk)LAST ROUND. It?s on Christianna Rae Yap Gutierrez, the beautiful daughter of Rey Vincent and Christine, who celebrates her birthday this week.
