Joe DeGuardia On Khan-Algieri “You look for the top type of opponent”

0
1146

maxresdefault-45When welterweight star Amir Khan(30-3, 19KO’s) announced that Chris Algieri(20-1, 8KO’s) would be his next opponent over his wife’s Youtube channel a few weeks ago, all observers would be forgiven for thinking the fight was a nailed-on certainty. However, following a period of uncertainty in which the fight seemed up in the air, there was doubt as to whether it would be taking place at all. Khan himself semi-retracted his comments at one point in a vague kind of way and so to get clarification on the matter Nestor Gibbs from Thaboxingvoice.com had a talk with Chris Algieri’s promoter Joe DeGuardia before the fight was officially announced for May 29th at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York.

“It’s certainly a realistic fight; they’re both top-level fighters. We’re looking for the biggest fights out there, I think Amir Khan certainly fits that mould. Is there a possibility that fight could happen? Sure. There’re some other fighters we’re looking at as well but that’s certainly a distinct possibility and I wouldn’t rule it out.”

“Chris is looking for a fight to take place, maybe in June. Late May, June, even July so we’re negotiating on dates and who we would fight and Amir Khan is certainly a viable opportunity.”

‘Realistic fight’, ‘distinct possibility’ and ‘viable opportunity’ are the type of noncommittal phrases that help muddy the waters when people don’t want to reveal their plans. The kind of remarks that hint at an upcoming revelation, but cannot be thrown back in ones face if something appreciable fails to transpire. As we now know, when DeGuardia said these words was a hair’s breadth away from signing the deal; so they provide an insight into the machinations of a promoter’s mind.

DeGuardia was far more forthcoming in his reasons for pursuing a dangerous opponent like Khan. Algieri has just changed trainer to John David Jackson after his corner team were found badly wanting in the biggest fight of his life against Manny Pacquiao last November. Jackson is also cracking the whip for light-heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev and represents an attempt at making progress for Algieri. This period of transition may not be the best time for hunting down the likes of Khan, whose hand speed, movement and work rate can bring anyone trouble at the best of times.

DeGuardia feels like his man has made it to the big stage. He may as well try and stay there.

“When you’re at a top level and you’re fighting guys like what he had last year; Emmanuel Taylor, Ruslan Provodnikov, Manny Pacquiao. Do you really take a step-down? The reality is you wanna keep him at the highest level. Chris Algieri’s not young. He has a bright future ahead of him outside of boxing, so he’s looking for the biggest fights out there. He wants to show that he belongs at the top level of the game, the top level of the sport. So what do you do with that? You look for the top type of opponent.”

Those three fights would be a tough run for anybody. The win against Taylor last February is a solid one, and his WBO World super-lightweight title-winning performance against Ruslan three months after effectively brought him into existence for the casual fan. He was dropped heavy early and his right eye was a slit for most of the fight. He still boxed beautifully for lengthy periods, utilising his superior movement against the stomping Russian. It was a split decision but almost certainly a deserved one. The loss to Pacquiao marred all that good work because he was thoroughly outclassed and was put down six times when all was said and done, though he did hear the final bell.

This fight against Amir Khan represents a step down from facing Pacquiao but not a huge one, and it is a respectable name against which we can judge Algieri’s level in the boxing game. The period of uncertainty is over, and we will see two polished boxers try and outmanoeuvre one and other in Brooklyn on the night; Khan with his blinding hand speed and combinations, and Algieri utilising every inch of the ring with strong and effective footwork, looking for straight shots down the pipe. Neither man has one-punch knockout power but both can put flashy shots together. If they can withstand the force of each others blows, a very exciting give-and-take brawl could break out.