Weekend roundup: Katsidis stuns Mitchell whilst eyes tell story for Khan

Amir Khan has defeated Paul Malignaggi on his American debut at the Madison Square Garden Theatre.

The fight got off to a cagey start with both fighters displaying their speed.  Khan won the opening round, however I scored the next two (despite opening rounds lacking clean punches) for the slicker Malignaggi who was making Khan miss with speed of movement as Khan struggled to find his range and land clean.

In the sixth round Khan was scoring with more decisive punching and from the seventh onwards Khan was bossing the fight with his jab and straight rights finding Malignaggi’s face each time.  This continued through to round eleven and brought memories of Malignaggi’s bout with Hatton, where in the latter stages Paulie was taking constant punches yet not landing much of his own. Unlike the Hatton bout it was the doctor’s, not his corner, who were thinking of pulling him out of the fight. Malignaggi convinced them to be let out for the eleventh, only to be stopped later in the round.

Aside from the Jab, the main telling point of the fight was both boxers’ eyes.  Malignaggi’s left eye was badly marked whilst the right side of his face did not suffer much marking.  Khan’s right eye was marked. I believe this was because of Malignaggi’s stance. Paulie regularly shifted sideways when Khan would throw which could explain why Khan did not catch him with many fast combinations as we’ve been used to.  This stance offered less of a target for Khan to hit, hence why the jab for Khan, found far more success than other punches and why Paulie’s counter left hook successfully caught  Khan as he committed to punches.

After being questioned in the post fight interview regarding opponents in the deep 140lb division, Khan said that he would fight anyone. Sensing that there were demands for a fight with Marcos Maidana, Amir stated that if Maidana wants the fight ”let’s make it happen” and the winner would face the winner of a possible Bradley v Alexander face off. These are positive words from Khan, he’s got his US debut out of the way but if he is to gain true respect he’ll need to fight the above mentioned so let’s hope it happens soon.

Early indications show that the stateside press was impressed by what they saw. In conclusion this was a mature performance by Khan, he was patient early and when he sensed he had Paulie hurt he pressed for the kill.

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Earlier in the evening, Kevin Mitchell was stopped by Michael Katsidis in the third round of their WBO interim Lightweight title bout.

Mitchell got off to an ideal start winning the opening two rounds with good boxing in particular good use of the jab. However in the third Katsidis turned on the pressure stalking Mitchell, cutting off the ring then stunning Mitchell with a left. Mitchell was hurt and subsequently Mitchell had no power in his shots but naively he looked to stand his ground and trade with Katsidis.

For a brief moment it appeared Mitchell had regained his strength but again showed his inexperience as he did what his corner had told him not to – went to the ropes. A clean left to the chin by Katsidis sagged Mitchell before Katsidis threw hurtful combinations and Mitchell was gone by the second left hook.  A final straight right to the temple as Mitchell staggered to his left was enough for the referee to intervene to call the bout off.

Mitchell stated afterwards how he was made to pay for his mistakes and how he took Katsidis’ bait by being lured into a fight.  Gracious in victory, Katsidis talked about enjoying his time off but what boxing fans wish is for Michael Katsidis v Juan Manuel Marquez to happen already!

That, I am sure would turn into a war.

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