Amir Khan and Carl Frampton aiming for success in different ways as they make their long-awaited returns
Boxing on TV: Khan and Frampton share some similarities, but their overall appeal differs hugely
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Your support makes all the difference.Two of Britain’s most well-known boxers take to the ring tonight, with each aiming for success in different ways. In Liverpool, Amir Khan competes for the first time in 23 months against Phil Lo Greco, while in Belfast, Carl Frampton takes on Nonito Donaire.
For some boxing fans, the idea that two key fights will be happening at the same time on seperate television channels is a bad thing. Yet though it can be frustrating trying to avoid spoilers, the breadth of content makes boxing seem like a big deal, which is always useful for a sport seeking to stay contemporary.
Khan and Frampton share some similarities, but their overall appeal differs hugely. Both are two-weight world champions with exciting styles, yet Khan has consistently struggled to achieve legitimate respect and a loyal fan base, while Frampton has established a fanatical army of supporters throughout his career.
The last time Khan was in a professional boxing fight, he was knocked unconscious by Saul Alvarez in the sixth round of their engrossing bout. Khan had started well, using his movement and speed to frustrate his decorated Mexican opponent, before being brutally stopped as the fight finished its opening stanza.
That discrepancy between speed and durability has been Khan’s kryptonite throughout his entire career. Blistering hand speed and at-times excellent movement have been his best assets, but there has always been the risk of failure once hit hard. That of course is the same for most boxers, but with Khan, his unease at being punched has been apparent since day one.
It’s now 14 years since a 17-year-old Khan won silver at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, and the boy who dazzled a nation has now become a novelty who blurs the line between athlete and laughing stock. Never renowned for his intellect, Khan’s simplicity was exposed badly on social media last year, and also during his appearance on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.
While taking a punch may be an issue for him physically, his personal naivety has also severely dimmed his reputation. When you look at Khan’s record, the wins, and even the losses against big names, you have to say he has had an excellent career. But amidst the sporting success, there has always been a sense of delusion, of entitlement, and that has rankled amongst sporting purists throughout the years.
Is tonight his last chance to win them over? Possibly, but success over Lo Greco will lead to a future clash with Kell Brook which could prove to have the most tedious build-up in boxing history. Much like Jon Jones in UFC or Jamie Vardy, Khan has to acknowledge the idea that to some people, he’s just not their cup of tea. If he embraces his weaknesses and incorporates them into his character, he might just find himself more likeable.
A loss to Lo Greco may taste worse than kangaroo balls, but it’s an unlikely proposition. Even with a two year absence from the ring, Khan should still have enough for the tough, but ultimately limited American.
Carl Frampton faces a much tougher test tonight, when he faces former four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire in Belfast. Donaire was considered as one of the best fighters on the planet for many years, and the 35-year-old is still convinced he belongs at the top level in 2018.
Frampton underwhelmed massively in his last fight against Horacio Garcia last November, but the Irish star has been haunted with lawsuits and outside the ring nonsense for the last year. A bad performance is one thing, it can happen to any fighter or any night. However, what’s worrying is that the aspects which made Frampton look bad in that fight - aggression, durability, speed, aren’t necessarily the ones that would fade based on personal problems.
Donaire, therefore, is the perfect antidote to any concerns that Frampton may be past his own peak. The Filipino veteran is still fast and fluid, and can also rough it up when he needs to. Frampton needs this fight to assert just where he is within the boxing industry. Can he look ahead to future bouts with the Josh Warrington/Lee Selby winner, or even a Leo Santa Cruz decider? Or has his all-energy style sapped his athletic ability as he enters his 30s?
Frampton has insisted that he’s in the best shape of his life heading into the bout, and he is promising a career best performance. That’s a high claim after his previous excellence against the likes of Kiko Martinez, Scott Quigg and Leo Santa Cruz, and it will be interesting to see if he can live up to the hype in front of thousands of ardent fans.
A dream Windsor Park clash for Frampton awaits following a victory tonight, as does a Wembley showdown with Kell Brook for Amir Khan. That’s the dream of course, but with all eyes watching for every possible flaw, can they both succeed in keeping the dream alive just a little bit longer?
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