Amir Khan (30-3) takes on former WBO light-welterweight champion Chris Algieri in a 12-round non-title fight on Friday evening at New York’s Barclays Center.
The 28-year-old has scored victories in his past four fights since parting ways with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach in favor of defensive maestro Virgil Hunter, who has helped add defensive intellect into khan’s stock.
Hunter has been so impressed with his boxer, he believes he has what it takes to someday be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, adding that Khan has all the ingredients; we’ll see what comes out of the oven when his career is said and done.
“Amir is already very close to being a Hall of Fame boxer,” stated Hunter when speaking to the Daily Mail. “He’s already beaten two-time and three-time world champions in [Zab] Judah, [Paulie] Malignaggi, [Luis] Collazo, and Marco Antonio Barrera. He’s a two-time world champion himself,” he added.
Khan is a one-time world champion. He defeated Andreas Kotlenik by unanimous decision in 2009, where he defended his title up until his controversial defeat to Lamont Peterson. Although he has held the WBA International and WBC Silver welterweight titles as of late, those do not quality as world titles.
“There is no time-scale for him to prove he has greatness in him. He has the right speed, he’s at the right age, he has the family, the support – all the ingredients he needs. So, he’s on a journey and I’m happy and proud to have joined him on that journey. He’s a gift and a blessing to me.”
Khan’s fight against Algieri will determine if he gets a shot against Floyd Mayweather Jr., who has stated that he will fight for the final time in September, albeit he has retired twice already. Khan has looked phenomenal in his last two fights against Luis Collazo and Devon Alexander, but both weren’t looked at as solid contenders heading into their respective matchups.
The one thing Khan has to look out for is focusing on his newly-acquired defensive intellect too much. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez did the same thing preparing for Mayweather for their September 2013 clash and was white-washed from the opening bell. While defensive capabilities are required for a guy with a balky chin like Khan, his main focus should be his hand speed, combinations, and movement.
Algieri was dropped six times by Manny Pacquiao last November and the former eight-division world champion showed none of that against Mayweather, who, like he has done in his previous 47 fights, fought a very smart, calculated fight. The Floyd Mayweather sweepstakes are open and it’ll be interesting to see who gets the $2 million plus invitation to box with the legend.
