Boxing?s latest toast Amir Khan is showing a boxing repertoire that has uncanny resemblances to that of reigning pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao.
The head movement, the lunging straights and the counter hooks? even Pacquiao?s unique pivot is being copied to a T by Khan, now holder of one of light welterweight?s alphabet boxing titles.
Only, Khan is an orthodox fighter while Pacquiao is probably boxing?s greatest left handed fighter and slugger.
Khan is quick for his size and his power is above average. And he is still only 24 years old.
When boxing coach Freddie Roach took Pacquiao under his wing, the Filipino beak buster was a largely unknown 23-year-old, even though he had already captured the flyweight title.
Khan was a lot younger when he first appeared at the Wild Card Gym of Roach.
Roach?s bold prediction that Khan will one day become a big star like his most prized fighter to date may not be an empty forecast.
Like Manny, Khan has morphed into a two-fisted monster.
His left hooks pack wallop and it is only a matter of time before Khan will be able to time them perfectly on a consistent basis. His right straights are thrown like blinding darts ? not unlike Manny?s vaunted left straights. If Khan can only twist his left straight as it travels the distance, a lot more of fighters will hit the canvass.
The two have sparred regularly and Khan has definitely learned a lot from Pacquiao.
But unlike many former sparring partners who ended up fighting each other, as in the case of Larry Holmes humiliating Muhammad Ali, do not expect Khan and Pacquiao to fight each other soon.
Roach will not allow that. Pacquiao does not have the heart to see Khan hurt.
There are plenty and more than enough fights out there for these two Roach pupils to even think of bludgeoning each other. Especially in the talent-laden light welterweight class.
They could fight two or three years down the road.
But by then, Khan could be a full middleweight while Manny will still be a natural welterweight. Advantage Khan.
But if they fight tomorrow, Khan will regret choosing boxing as a way of life.
Khan?s ability to handle lefties will be an asset that few can match.
Rejoice, we may be seeing the dawning of the righty version of Manny Pacquiao.
