It's Monday. Welcome back for another edition of Observe and Fight, The Boxing Observer's compilation of observations and random thoughts from the previous two weeks that were in boxing. Get caught up on some of the most recent events you may have missed out on, including a recap of Amir Khan vs. Chris Algieri, Kell Brook's latest title defense against Frankie Gavin, a preview of Miguel Cotto's return against Daniel Geale, the crowning of a new super middleweight champion, and much more. Without further ado, check out the latest observations from the Boxing Observer, David Kassel.
Like it or not, Amir Khan is Floyd Maywaether's toughest challenge at 147. Chris Algieri fought a very smart fight against Khan, but he is not a measuring stick. Other than Gennady Golovkin, who would be much too big and strong most likely coming in 25 lbs heavier than Mayweather on fight night, Khan has the intangibles that will present Floyd Mayweather the most problems. Khan brings speed, decent power, and has approximately the same height and reach as Mayweather. Also, for all those who feel Khan has a glass chin, while that may be true, when was the last time we saw Khan really hurt? Is Mayweather the guy who can knock Khan out with one punch? I highly doubt that. Mayweather has never had one-punch knockout power. Khan is a special combination puncher who has greatly improved under the guidance of trainer Virgil Hunter. Khan's offense has never been an issue. His defense was extremely suspect until he got with Hunter. Another thing to note is that Khan is an exciting fighter who should challenge Mayweather and make him fight. Like it or not folks, we better hope Khan lands the assignment because there aren't many other options who can truly challenge Floyd Mayweather.
Chris Algieri had a great game plan, but Floyd Mayweather will not fight like Algieri did. I know the critics are stating that Khan looked unimpressive, and I do agree with those assessments; however, if Khan were to fight Mayweather, he would fight much like Algieri fought, and Mayweather would fight like Khan did. Anytime the two got close, it was Khan who pushed the head down and stopped the momentum. Khan fought on his back foot most of the fight. Khan was counter-puncher most of the night. Sound familiar? Khan showed all the attributes of a typical Floyd Mayweather fight. I'm telling you folks, Amir Khan is going to cause Floyd Mayweather a lot of problems.
Great showing by Chris Algieri! Algieri is going to be an issue for a lot of fighters if he fights like he did on Friday night. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the ring against the winner of Adrien Broner vs. Shawn Porter myself.
Kell Brook did exactly what he was supposed to do in dominating Frankie Gavin. I'm not taking anything away from Gavin because he is a very good fighter, but we all knew he wasn't on Kell's level and it showed. If Khan cannot land the Floyd Mayweather fight in September, don't be surprised one iota to see Khan vs. Brook some time in November in front of 80,000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium. It's the next best financial option for both fighters. However, that fight might wait until early 2016 if both fighters can land other options and Khan can win himself a world title in a WBC #1 vs #2 match-up against Antonin Decarie. Remember, Mayweather is vacating all of his titles.
Jorge Linares is fortunate that referee Victor Loughlin has a conscience because he may have lost his world title to Kevin Mitchell. Linares was down on the scorecards when Loughlin stopped the fight with just 3 seconds left in the 10th round. Mitchell came out like a man on a mission and almost pulled off the upset. Linares needs to thank his lucky stars, but also needs to give Mitchell a rematch for the title.
Lee Selby put on a boxing clinic to take Evgeny Gradovich's title belt. Gradovich, who won his title by upsetting Billy Dib and continued to shock all opponents thereafter, was completely outclassed before the fight was stopped in the 8th round. Selby boxed circles around the brawler, Gradovich, and proved Gradovich was a one trick pony. Selby is a very deserving 122 lb champion, and it would be great to see him in a unification fight with Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Bryan Vasquez vs. Javier Fortuna was a very good fight. I've always been very high on Fortuna and still believe he has a ways to go before he reaches his full potential. Vasquez is a solid guy who brings it every time to the ring, but Fortuna showed he could box a little better than anyone gave him credit for. If Fortuna continues adding to his repertoire in the ring, he could be a major problem for 130 and 135 lb fighters because he has big knockout power as well.
Javier Mendoza deserves a vacation, and an ice bag for his manhood, after his fight with Milan Melindo. Mendoza was declared the winner after the fight went to the scorecards due to accidental fouls, but Melindo fought as dirty a fight as I've seen in a long time. It's a shame because I truly felt Melindo was the better fighter coming into the fight.
Welcome back to the world, Lateef Kayode. I'm not sure where you've been, but call me back when you fight someone of relevance.
Miguel Cotto needs a strong statement against Daniel Geale Saturday night. No, Cotto is not in danger of losing his opportunity against Canelo Alvarez if he doesn't look impressive against Geale, but after Canelo's dominant performance against James Kirkland, Cotto needs to show he can still compete on Canelo's level. Boxing is a "what have you done for me lately" sport and Canelo looks great. Cotto has not been in the ring since he beat Sergio Martinez last June. That's a long time out of the ring. Cotto is at the tail end of his career. Canelo is only getting better and better. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if, when the two finally meet, Canelo dominates the fight against Cotto. It will be very intriguing.
Don't forget about Robert Guerrero's return on the PBC this Saturday afternoon. Guerrero faces a very game Aron Martinez, and while Guerrero should win the fight convincingly, it should be extremely entertaining. The co-feature between Jesus Cuellar and Vic Darchinyan is another showcase fight, this one for Cuellar. Darchinyan is only getting this fight for two reasons: 1) his name recognition and 2) his style in the ring. This fight will not go 12 rounds and Darchinyan is most likely going to get knocked out.
Congratulations to the new super middleweight titlist, James DeGale. DeGale boxed beautifully against Andre Dirrell, controlling the pace early in the fight, including his 2 knockdowns of Dirrell. DeGale is a talented fighter and has been extremely blessed with natural abilities. A rematch with George Groves, DeGale's only loss, would be a mega-fight in England, and it's a fight DeGale is ready for. I believe he would knock Groves out in the rematch.
Is it really a surprise that 50 Cent's SMS Promotions went belly up? 50 filed for bankruptcy, all but killing his dream of being a boxing promoter. It's not as easy as it looks folks.
The terrible call of the week goes to referee Robert Benoit. Benoit stopped the fight between Edwin Rodriguez and Craig Baker in the 3rd round on May 23rd's PBC card when Baker had all of his faculties about him. Rodriguez was wailing away, but nothing was connecting. Benoit had no business stopping that fight. Baker deserves an immediate rematch.
That's all I've got for this week. Email any questions or comments to dkassel@fighthype.com and I will answer them throughout the week. Your email may be featured in the next "Observe and Fight." Follow me on Twitter @BoxingObserver, and be sure to "Like" The Boxing Observer on Facebook.
[ Follow David Kassel on Twitter @BoxingObserver ]