Amir
Khan and Jorge Linares – these are two fighters who were supposed to represent
the future of the sport. Khan had been a decorated amateur and earned a
silver medal for Britain in the 2004 Olympics. Backed by the nonpareil
British boxing hype machine and his own sense of grandeur and destiny, he was
on the fast track to greatness. As
an early pro, he had some of the fastest hands in the sport. Linares, a
Venezuelan based in Japan, resembled a master boxer-puncher. He glided around
the ring majestically and seemed to have the whole package. Linares was
trumpeted by many West Coast boxing writers in such magical tones
that he could have appeared on the cover of "The Ring" OR "Downbeat." Linares
as boxing's Dizzy Gillespie?
All of
that was long ago. Evaluating them in the present, it's certainly clear that
both fighters have fallen short of those once-lofty expectations. They have
suffered demoralizing defeats and have lost many of their initial proponents
within the sport. However, despite arriving at professional nadirs, they have
both arisen and continue to fight at a high level. Yes, Khan and Linares have
failed to live up to initial expectations, but in my opinion, it would be
incorrect to label their careers as disappointments.
The
professional ledgers of Khan and Linares share several
characteristics. They each have three losses, getting knocked out multiple
times. Born just 18 months apart,
their records, 31-3 (Khan) and 39-3 (Linares), are very similar. Khan's KO percentage
is 56% while Linares' is at 62% (Linares turned pro at 17 and was developed
more deliberately than Khan was, facing more ham-and-eggers, which can goose a
knockout percentage). Both are 6-2 in world title fights. Each has been blitzed
early (Salgado and Prescott) and has lost a title fight after being comfortably
ahead (DeMarco and Peterson). They also have been defeated by lesser
talents (DeMarco and Prescott). Both have
reputations as being "chinny."
But Khan and Linares are not cautionary tales or punchlines (they aren't Ricardo Williams or Audley Harrison). They have won world titles and have provided many memorable moments in the ring – both in their wins and losses. Although the luster of their initial promise has worn off, they have settled into respectable professional fighters.
Over
the weekend, Khan and Linares achieved victories that symbolized their
respective careers – competent, just not as good as expected. Both
provided glimpses of elite skills and reminders of their respective flaws.
Linares was knocked down against Kevin Mitchell and was trailing on two cards
before scoring a 10th-round TKO. Khan had a surprisingly competitive fight
against Chris Algieri and displayed some of the tentativeness and hesitancy
that has plagued him throughout his career.
To my eyes, both Linares and Khan are the wrong opponent away from a career-ending defeat. Linares looked slow and, frankly, listless on Saturday. He seemed to be a fighter much closer to the end than the beginning. I could envision Khan spending an eternity on the canvas after facing Keith Thurman.
Yet,
there were still pleasure to be found on Saturday. Linares finished Mitchell in spectacular
fashion. He trapped Mitchell along the ropes and unloaded his entire arsenal in
a thrilling display of combination punching. Showing his veteran moxie, Linares
wisely took brief breathers to step out, recollect himself and ensure that he
wouldn't smother his work or give Mitchell any opportunities to clinch. Khan
still flashed those dazzling one-twos. At points, his combinations flowed
effortlessly.
At 29
and 28 respectively, Linares and Khan may still find their way to greatness but
the odds are stacked against them. Linares fights in a wasteland of a
lightweight division, where wins over even the best at 135 wouldn't do much to
further his legacy. Khan would be a significant underdog against the top
fighters at 147 and has been steered carefully away from punchers. In my
estimation, he hasn't even faced an adequate hitter since Danny Garcia in 2012.
In addition, his affiliation with Al Haymon takes certain elite talents like
Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley off the table as future opponents. Khan may very
well get the Mayweather fight in September but only his friends and family
would pick him over the pound-for-pound champ.
But
both persevere. We are left with the more-than-serviceable remnants of two
hyped talents. They have done their best to carry on despite the types of major
pratfalls that have felled many careers. No one would have been surprised if
Linares and/or Khan collapsed after demoralizing back-to-back defeats but both
have returned from those low periods with significant winning streaks (Linares
– 8, Khan – 5).
Khan and Linares should be applauded for their professionalism and resiliency.
Not every fighter can be the best and not every prospect lives up to
expectations. But not every boxer has such recuperative powers outside the ring
either. Khan and Linares both faced the abyss and resurrected their careers.
When they do finally retire, both fighters will have impressive trophy rooms.
They also will have the satisfaction of knowing that they gave their best
to the sport.
If
their careers ended today, neither Linares nor Khan would likely be
Canastota-bound, but such distinctions trivialize their efforts. They beat
talented fighters. They overcame significant hindrances and issues of
confidence. Sure, Khan wishes he had a better chin and Linares would want skin
that wouldn't unravel but they never let those deficiencies stop them on their
quest to reach the top of the sport. Yes, they lost a few that they
shouldn't have. There have been real failures but neither has let himself been
defined by them. For that, they deserve real praise.
Adam Abramowitz is the head writer and founder of saturdaynightboxing.com.
Adam Abramowitz is the head writer and founder of saturdaynightboxing.com.
He is also a member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.
@snboxing on twitter, SN Boxing on Facebook
@snboxing on twitter, SN Boxing on Facebook
Contact Adam at saturdaynightboxing@hotmail.com
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