Sport360° view: Hunter's influence clear in Khan victory

Andy Lewis 10:20 05/05/2014
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  • Vast improvement: Amir Khan has been learning lots under the guidance of Virgil Hunter.

    It was telling that Amir Khan’s immediate thoughts after his win over Luis Collazo in Las Vegas on Saturday night were about cutting down on mistakes.

    The Briton was being interviewed in the ring after a career best display and a crushing victory, yet the first words uttered from his mouth revealed a more mature individual than a fighter who was becoming renowned for having more bravado than bite.

    The experts had tipped him to lose to Collazo, a seasoned former world champion with heavy, spiteful hands. Many felt that a 13-month hiatus would have left him corroded by ring rust – instead he arrived steeled by a year of work with Virgil Hunter and galvanised by the improvements his trainer has instilled in him.

    It was a win or bust situation for Khan, who hadn’t looked good since outclassing Zab Judah in 2011. And as it transpired he had all the answers in a win smeared with Hunter’s fingerprints.

    After starting with Oliver Harrison, a disastrous experiment with Cuban Jorge Rubio and an ultimately failed alliance with Freddie Roach; it appears Khan has finally found a cornerman who has got through to him.

    The Olympic silver medallist is the fastest combination puncher in boxing, while a fulsome repertoire of skills is augmented by rangy limbs and a swift fleet of foot.

    Yet a flaky defence, an inabililty to fight off the ropes, a tendency to stand in the pocket and admire his work and foolhardy exhibitions of machismo had combined to leave his career in tatters at just 27.

    Khan needed a defensive gameplan, a healthy dose of discipline and increased maturity – all traits he displayed as he knocked down Collazo three times on his way to a lopsided points triumph.

    Yet the margin of victory belies the true nature of the fight, with Khan constantly under pressure as a menacing Collazo stalked him around the ring.

    Hunter made his name as the trainer of super middleweight king Andre Ward, who is considered only second to Floyd Mayweather in the pound for pound rankings.

    And as Khan neutralised Collazo’sthreat by getting off rapid, punishing clean shots before tying up his man or spoiling, it was all distinctly reminiscent of the unbeaten Ward.

    It wasn’t pretty at times, but Khan needed to change something. His constant movement kept him out of trouble for periods in the past but, notably, Marcos Maidana, Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia were all able to get through having been blown away in the opening exchanges.

    Against Collazo, Khan had a solution as a physically stronger man and harder puncher relentlessly tried to walk him down.

    The signs were all there that the penny has dropped. Khan seemed more comfortable in what was his debut at welterweight, while all that visceral nervous energy of old was replaced with a calm veneer.

    Only once was he caught, by a chopping left in the eighth, and while the Khan of old might have instinctively traded, he was cute enough to buy time and get back on top.

    Mayweather is firmly on his mind and Khan can look ahead with renewed hope now that his own team is on the money.

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