Full credit must be given to trainer/Coach Freddie Roach for the masterful display by Amir that was witnessed last night. The disorderly talent of Amir had been allowed to stay in a state of confusion until Breidis Prescott shut down once and for all for all the unnecessary verbal threats of Amir and his supporters that he would be the youngest ever World champion and when this proved to be hot air, so the valueless utterances changed slightly but the lack of defensive coaching remained.
The choice of Breidis Prescott as an opponent for Amir was astonishing. It was there for all to see that Amir had serious defence defects and Breidis was an explosive puncher and he proved this when in less than one minute Amir Khan the promised would-be-king of boxing had been dethroned before the crown had been placed on his head.
Boxing Action was unable to give support to the wild Team Khan promises that began with the promise of being the youngest ever World champion when aged 18 and 19 because we considered it to be dangerous talk and could not happen because the record had been set by a younger boxer.
Nevertheless, we still believed that Amir was World class and capable of winning a World title but made no secret of the fact that change was desperately needed.
We applauded the initial power training Amir underwent but criticised this when it went on for too long and necessary tutoring on defence tactics was nowhere to be seen
The Voice of Boxing was unheeded but then came Breidis Prescott and destruction.
From the debris caused by the exploding Breidis time bomb better thoughts and planning emerged and were put into action for Amir. True professionalism entered the scene and Freddie Roach was appointed as trainer/Coach and the value of this good thinking is responsible for Amir becoming a World champion.
From the outset last night it was obvious the essential fight plan was in place. The stylish Amir talent was orderly and as he unloaded his quicksilver jabs like a machine gun with laser accuracy there was no doubt this was a new presentation of Amir Khan, the boxer.
It was only if you were of a generous mind could you give one clear round out of the full distance of 12, which the fight lasted, to Andreas Kotelnik. Nevertheless, the courage and determination of Andreas was always evident and thereby always dangerous.
Had the lack of defensive tactics of Amir that were clearly seen in past contests remained it is likely the menacing right hand of Andreas would have landed and a different result might have been recorded
The manner in which Amir delivered accurate punches and evaded return fire from Andreas of Ukraine thrilled his many thousands of supporters.
It was no over night magic formula that had changed Amir into a World champion, nor any mystery. Freddie Roach had in eight months made rhythm out of a fractured piece of music that in pieces was always of classical promise and which was first noticed on the 2004 Olympic Games stage when junior Amir became the British hero as he alone salvaged the amateur boxing reputation of England, which for the first time in history had no senior representative.
Last night the refined Amir Khan boxing orchestra blasted out and under the maestro conductor Freddie Roach thrilled the rapturous audience in the Men Arena and on SKY TV.
Had this Ride of the Valkyries style grand opera taken place in the Covent Garden Opera House, Freddie and Amir would still be taking curtain calls.
British boxers must learn from this and, hopefully, so much valuable talent that over the years has been wasted will in future time be made fertile and productive.
Modern boxing demands more than sergeant major physical conditioners. Like the best schoolmasters, boxing Coaches have to be able to teach. When this is combined with correct physical condition the true talent of a boxer is revealed and optimised.
Boxing Action admires the courtesy, the good manners and respect shown by Amir Khan. This must not change. He is a first class ambassador for boxing and his Muslim people, and other people, young and old. He is also generous to his community, which is another lesson other boxers should heed. ~
