Khan/Malignaggi, Campbell/Ortiz preview & picks

Despite all the tough talk on Twitter, nobody would have been wrong to assume that it was all to sell tickets but after the flare up at the weigh in for the Amir Khan – Paulie Malignaggi WBA junior welterweight bout, their meeting has taken on new meaning.

On paper the fight looks clear cut: feather fisted Paulie Malignaggi with his good boxing skills, hand speed and movement against the fast and reasonably powerful Amir Khan but I don’t see it as clear as that.

It’s assumed that despite Khan’s questionable chin, Malignaggi doesn’t have the power to hurt Khan but Malignaggi showed against Diaz that when he sits down on his punches he can do damage. Some say this could be down to wear and tear as Diaz has been in some wars in his career but it doesn’t dispel the fact that on occasion Malignaggi can hurt.

It’s also assumed that Malignaggi could be too quick and slick for Khan and potentially box his way to a decision. People must have forgot that Khan had a stellar amateur career culminating in an Olympic silver medal and also in his fight with Andreas Kotelnik he masterfully boxed his way to a unanimous decision. Khan’s boxing skill are vastly under rated because people tend to focus on his physical attributes.

I tend to lean towards Khan though, he has the skills and speed to match Malignaggi whilst his power could disturb his opponent whilst Malignaggi may not have the power or the ability to apply his power enough before damaging his hands to disturb Khan.

I’m going to take the safe road and go with Khan by decision despite Roach’s claims that they will get rid of Malignaggi early, I don’t expect it to be a particularly exciting fight but it is what it is and that’s basically Khan’s introduction to the America boxing audience.

The under card on the other hand will be very interesting as Vicious Victor Ortiz takes on Nate Campbell. Both fighter’s careers took massive knocks last year, Ortiz in how he lost to Marcos Maidana and his subsequent comments and Campbell in his loss cum no contest with Timothy Bradley so this fight is in a sense both fighters first steps to redemption as well as last chance saloon.

It may sound melodramatic saying that about Ortiz, he was being touted as the new face of Golden Boy Promotions and boxing but after the manner of his defeat to Marcos Maidana another defeat would be crushing. He is just 23 but he really needs a boost and if he loses today he faces a huge task of rebuilding his credibility.

Campbell is a wily veteran and should prove to be a very tough test for Ortiz. He has derailed a young star’s career before when he beat Juan Diaz for his lightweight crown and he will be looking to do so again. At 38 he may not have the physical attributes to hang with Ortiz especially as he was being soundly beaten by the smaller Timothy Bradley in his last fight. Ortiz hits harder and is physically bigger that Bradley so Campbell could be in for a long night.

Campbell has not fought since his no contest with Bradley last August so the lay off won’t have done him any favours but in Ortiz’s two fights since being stopped by Maidana he hasn’t looked the same. He lacks confidence and seems gun shy so Campbell does have a chance.

Ortiz is younger and stronger than Campbell and if he is his old confident self then I feel he will be too much but if not I feel Campbell will take advantage of him and hand him another defeat. This fight really is up in the air but I’m inclined to go with youth, speed and power so I think Ortiz possibly by decision.

Related posts: