Khan maintains Mayweather focus despite lacklustre Algieri win

Steve Brenner 04:48 31/05/2015
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  • Unconvincing: Amir Khan.

    Amir Khan was right about one thing, and wrong about another.

    The two-time world champion, along with trainer Virgil Hunter, were at pains to stress in the buildup to Friday night’s meeting with Chris Algieri that the American was not to be underestimated.

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    And at the end of 12 absorbing rounds here, his words rang as true as the welterweight’s tired arms were lofted above his head with all three ringside judges favouring the boy from Bolton.

    Two of them decreed it was 117-111 while the other scored it 115-113. The latter perhaps flattered Algieri though no-one could doubt his heart or hunger.

    Many of the rounds were razor sharp. Terribly close to call. The promise of a statement to the world which would prove his next test would be against Floyd Mayweather Jr. however never materialised.

    Algieri had his moments – a first round hook rocked Khan, while the middle of this absorbing tussle arguably belonged to the former kickboxer who left Brooklyn with his head held highest.

    It was the Brit, though, who produced the better work rate when it mattered. While Algieri caused problems with some excellent shots in his 22nd pro bout, the more consistent work came from Khan.

    As Algieri tired, the 28-year-old picked him off. For every one shot from the home favourite came a flurry from the man opposite.

    Of course, it’s easy to look ahead to the riches which could follow. It wasn’t long before, Mayweather’s name was already being mentioned.

    Sources claim the self-anointed king of the ring was in Miami and wouldn’t have seen the fight. If he had, he would have enjoyed seeing Khan on the backfoot for sustained periods.

    Yet with Manchester City stars Joe Hart, Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany in attendance, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist wasted no time in signalling his intentions.

    “I have been chasing Floyd for a long time and that can make it hard to focus on who is front of you,” said Khan. “I am happy I didn’t take Algieri lightly. If I had done, the dream match against Floyd would have been gone.

    “I will let my advisor Al Haymon decide what is next. I would love that fight and he has the style which will suit me. My team will be onto it.

    “Where else is there for Mayweather to go? The last three fights are at 147 lbs, that’s what he wanted to see. He wanted me to prove myself at that weight. We have answered the questions.”

    Last November, Pacquiao knocked Algieri down six times. On this evidence, credit must go to the Filipino because the 31-year-old was a real handful. If there had been serious power behind his punches, this tale could have had a very different ending.

    “I feel I won the fight, was in control, buzzed him several times, landed the cleaner shots. It’s definitely disappointing,” said Algieri. “Was that a statement from Khan? What do you think? It was a scrap and there were times I felt he was uncomfortable. I think I won.”

    “We got a victory in defeat, “ added his trainer John David Jackson. “Khan ran and was grabbing a lot. All he wants is Floyd. Chris emerges from this fight better than Amir does.”

    That was hard to argue with. Yet Khan marches on. His dream is alive – but only just.

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