Weaknesses
Khan
Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Amir Khan will always be his own worst enemy simply because he has too much heart for his own good. This sounds like a strange weakness to have in a sport that demands grit in order to persevere. Yet, it is true, at the root of Khan’s perceived arrogance is a hunger to be great, and a confidence that errs on the side of entitlement and delusion.
There’s a difference between wanting to be great and believing you’ve reached a level of greatness before you’ve arrived. Khan has all the tools he needs to be an elite fighter including athleticism and one of the best trainers in the business. However, I find that Khan lacks the patience he needs to be at the level he wants. Being that time is a key ingredient of growth, Khan’s lack of necessary patience could eventually change. Right now though, it continues to hold him back.
Fortunately Khan has Virgil Hunter in his corner to be a critical voice of reason and guidance. On the other hand, old habits die hard, and there are clear moments when the old Khan shows up. Khan is getting better at using his head to guide his decisions but when he’s tested, you can count on his emotions taking over.
Alexander
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I’m interested to see if Devon Alexander can keep up with Amir Khan’s pace or even better, impose his own.
Pace was a trouble spot for Alexander when he faced Shawn Porter. Khan is not a wildcard like Porter, but he does like to dictate his own pace in the ring. If Khan starts working on a rhythm, it will be important for Alexander to continually be first in exchanges and make Khan uncomfortable by disrupting his rhythm. Doing so will allow his own style to prevail and make Khan second-guess his approach.
Another potential weakness for Alexander is his tendency to admire his punches. Once he gets in a zone he can become slightly inattentive to small details, such as his defense and moving after his combinations. This seems trivial, but it matters up against someone like Khan who likes to attack using his angles.
