next »

[HurricaneHig]

http://www1.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/7358375/Khan-nearing-peak

Amir Khan believes he is just approaching his peak as he prepares to defend his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles against Lamont Peterson.

And the Bolton boxer says that he expects to retire earlier than most because he has already achieved so much.

Khan, who won an Olympic silver medal at the age of 17, has bounced back from a shocking knockout defeat to Breidis Prescott to become world champion.

But he knows the biggest fights are ahead of him as he continues to build his ring legacy.

"I'm only young and I think I've achieved a lot in my career already at this age but I feel I haven't hit my peak yet," he said.

"I think within the next couple of years I'll achieve my dreams and have some of the super-fights that I want.

"I think I'll peak around 26 years old, have some big super-fights at around that age and probably call it a day early.

"I've done a lot of things early in my career and that probably means I can retire early as well."

Normal
Khan insists he remains grounded despite his success and is not looking too far ahead.

"One thing about me is even though I know I've got the tools in my bag I still go into a fight like a challenger and stick to the instructions from my corner," he said.

"I go into a fight not thinking I am the best but thinking I'm a normal fighter who just needs to go in there and win the fight to take me to the next level. Because if you start thinking you're the best and blowing smoke up your own backside then things can go wrong.

"But I've got a great team around me who help me keep my feet on the ground and that's what it's all about really, just being focused."

[Skav]

Khan's on a good roll with the talk.

[Jambonhead]

Khan's on a good roll with the talk.

yer, he probably hired a pr man cuz he hasnt said anything idiotic or infuriating in a while

[Dexter_Morgan]

I actually cringe when I hear fighters coming out with this early retirement I'll call it a day BS. If you love the sport stay in the sport until the gifts gone then retire. Khan is still filling out he will move easily to welterweight and I wouldn't be surprised if he even fought at Light middle.

[motoriser]

amir Khan tends to Count his chickens before they hatch,it could turn out to be his worst enemy.
I believe he's in the early stages of his Physical Prime,he should beat Peterson well and fill out to a healthy 147 guy.
As long as he keeps his head in check,he will go a long way in the Sport.

[Hotdog]

I actually cringe when I hear fighters coming out with this early retirement I'll call it a day BS. If you love the sport stay in the sport until the gifts gone then retire. Khan is still filling out he will move easily to welterweight and I wouldn't be surprised if he even fought at Light middle.

Prime fighters are on more money than you or me could dream of.   Khan started his career really early and was a very young World Champion.  He could easily be around another 5 years and be involved in some mega fights and retire before he is 30.

While I appreciate for us fans it's about legacy.  The boxer also has to think about his health.  Its a tough sport and when you have £20 odd million in the bank,  I think it's only natural that you think about your long term health.   You only have to look at the likes of McClennan and Watson and realise your just 1 fight away from potential disaster.  Why feel the need to risk it, if you have family and everything you need financial wise for life.  You can still love the sport and be involved in it.

[presa]

Prime fighters are on more money than you or me could dream of.   Khan started his career really early and was a very young World Champion.  He could easily be around another 5 years and be involved in some mega fights and retire before he is 30.

While I appreciate for us fans it's about legacy.  The boxer also has to think about his health.  Its a tough sport and when you have £20 odd million in the bank,  I think it's only natural that you think about your long term health.   You only have to look at the likes of McClennan and Watson and realise your just 1 fight away from potential disaster.  Why feel the need to risk it, if you have family and everything you need financial wise for life.  You can still love the sport and be involved in it.

you got it pal.. 

[Tito]

Its a fair comment he as been a pro since 2005 he is 6 years down the line and had 7 world title fights and is still very young. In a Year Khan could easily be good enough to compete with Pacman, Floyd or JMM. When you see the likes of Bradley turning down the fights against him it just shows not many people actually want to face him but are happy to bitch about him via twitter.

[Danny B]

Its a fair comment he as been a pro since 2005 he is 6 years down the line and had 7 world title fights and is still very young. In a Year Khan could easily be good enough to compete with Pacman, Floyd or JMM. When you see the likes of Bradley turning down the fights against him it just shows not many people actually want to face him but are happy to bitch about him via twitter.

Yeah, totally agree. He always seems to want to take decent fights and rarely appears to be ducking anyone.

[jimjack]

Its a fair comment he as been a pro since 2005 he is 6 years down the line and had 7 world title fights and is still very young. In a Year Khan could easily be good enough to compete with Pacman, Floyd or JMM. When you see the likes of Bradley turning down the fights against him it just shows not many people actually want to face him but are happy to bitch about him via twitter.

Completely agree.
The only people who will face Khan now are the ones with seemingly less to lose. Bradley wont fight him because he knows he gets stood on his head and then a fight with pac or floyd goes for a burton.

[Skav]

Yeah, totally agree. He always seems to want to take decent fights and rarely appears to be ducking anyone.

Although in fairness, he was practically gagged and forced to fight Maidana. But at least he did the right thing and didn't throw away the belt to avoid him.

[Lemonardo]

Prime fighters are on more money than you or me could dream of.   Khan started his career really early and was a very young World Champion.  He could easily be around another 5 years and be involved in some mega fights and retire before he is 30.

While I appreciate for us fans it's about legacy.  The boxer also has to think about his health.  Its a tough sport and when you have £20 odd million in the bank,  I think it's only natural that you think about your long term health.   You only have to look at the likes of McClennan and Watson and realise your just 1 fight away from potential disaster.  Why feel the need to risk it, if you have family and everything you need financial wise for life.  You can still love the sport and be involved in it.

One of the best posts I've read on this forum. "Imaginary" IQ 

[Hotdog]

Although in fairness, he was practically gagged and forced to fight Maidana. But at least he did the right thing and didn't throw away the belt to avoid him.

I actually think Khan would fight anyone, even back then.   I think it was ****** previously and at that point Goldenboy who wanted to avoid Maidana.   

He had already beaten their up and coming superstar in Ortiz,  and in Khan they had someone with similar promise but was lacking a chin.    The Malignaggi and Kotelnik fight showed Khan's boxing skills and he dealt with Paulie better than anyone to date.  I'm not saying that is a massive achievement but Paulie is a skilled fighter and Khan outskilled him.   I think what GBP and most fans were thinking is that Khans main threat would come from a knockout puncher,  so the last person GBP would of wanted to throw him in with was Maidana and from a business point of view, you can understand that. 

As it's turned out, that risk paid off and Khan's stock has risen drastically,  even the haters are starting to realise his potential.    Me personally,  I struggle to see anyone at LWW or WW other than Mayweather (maybe JMM) who would outbox Amir, his pace and variety of punches are sublime.  As a result his biggest threat really remains those knockout punchers,  Pacquaio would catch Amir big at least once and he has the finishing ability to finish him off.     

[Che Guevara]

khan wouldnt hold a candle to jmm mayweather or pacquaio. having said that outside of them three there is very few that would take him.

[Bristol]

khan wouldnt hold a candle to jmm mayweather or pacquaio. having said that outside of them three there is very few that would take him.

I think thats the closest Khan will ever get to a complement from yourself lol.