Amir Khan dominates Collazo but is unlikely to get Mayweather next. Manny Pacquiao fight in the future?

Amir Khan was scheduled to meet Luis Collazo in a crossroads fight for both men. Their paths may differ, but both men came into this bout knowing nothing less than victory would suffice. The last couple of years have been quite difficult for Amir Khan. Narrowly losing on the scorecards to Lamont Peterson, Khan next suffered a knockout loss to Danny Garcia.

With his career in the balance, Amir decided a change was required to halt the free fall his career was experiencing. Choosing Virgil Hunter was a curious choice. Khan naturally has an aggressive style, so teaming with the defensive orientated Hunter thus far has produced mixed results. Whilst victorious on both outings, Khan performed below par against Molina and Diaz. Khan was looking to prove the critics wrong.

Luis Collazo’s stoppage victory over the much dwindled Victor Ortiz in January has revitalized his career. Coming into that bout, Collazo had won three straight since dropping a decision to Freddy Hernandez. In front of his hometown in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Ortiz somewhat flattered Collazo punching power with the stoppage. Nonetheless the rugged Collazo was seen as a dangerous fight for the British Olympic silver medalist.

Amir Khan started out off the backfoot, snapping out a piston like jab. Collazo looked to counter with a lead right hook whilst plodding forward. Khan capitalized on Collazo holding a low guard, doubling up the right hand on the southpaw.

In the second round Khan displayed his lightening hand speed, snapping Collazo’s head back with a left hook – right straight combination. Collazo walking onto shots was becoming an increasingly stationary target. Round three the same scenario played out for the most part as Khan beat Collazo to the punch on numerous occasions. Collazo began to close the distance, getting a couple shots off on Khan against the ropes.

Collazo began to pull Khan back a notch in the fourth as he put forth some solid body work, landing some solid hooks around Khan’s guard. In the midst of an exchange, Khan dropped Collazo with a right hand on the button. Collazo took the count and regained his composure.

Khan opened the fifth with a flurry of shots. Refusing to get dragged into big exchanges, Amir committed to using every inch of the ring. Collazo clearly frustrated, couldn’t set up shots with Khan’s constant movement. When Collazo did close ground, Khan leaned and tied him up to smother any effective work.

In the sixth, Collazo closed the distance somewhat, getting off shots as Khan lay against the ropes. Luis added a tidy lead right hook for good measure. Khan continued to dart in and out with lightening combinations, maintaining a quick jab in Collazo’s face. Khan’s straight right was a constant throughout the fight.

Rounds seven through eight Collazo continued to walk Khan down with distain, hands by his side to lure Khan into an exchange. Khan complied on his own terms, cracking Collazo cleanly with solid right hands.

Collazo had an encouraging moment in the eight when he nailed Khan with a solid left hook, backing the brit up. Khan kept a tight guard as Collazo unloaded, and spun out of trouble. Luis had a point deducted for going to work below the belt line. Khan’s constant leaning and holding inside finally seen a point deducted also.

In rounds nine and ten a similar trend played out, Collazo looking to lure Khan into an exchange. Khan let off an eye catching six punch combination, to which Collazo politely responded with two solid hooks to the head of Khan. Khan hit Collazo with two crunching body shots backing him up in the tenth, following up with an uppercut as Collazo hit the canvas for a second time.

Moments after rising to the referee’s count, Collazo found himself on the end of a straight right – left hook combination that sent him to the floor again. Khan was clearly ahead on the scorecards by some stretch at this stage.

In rounds eleven and twelve, Collazo clearly needed a knockout. Khan kept the fight at long range, landing often and cleanly. Collazo put in a half decent rally to end the eleventh round. Collazo again went down low on Amir in the final round, causing a momentarily break in action. Khan refusing to engage in a war of attrition with the hardened New York native, finished out the fight strongly, letting his hands go with some flashy combinations.

Arguably this was Amir Khan’s best career performance in terms of the opponent and manner of victory. The judges agreed as the scorecards were read out, 117-106, 119-104, 119-104 in favour of Amir Khan.

In the post fight interview, Khan discussed his layoff and Floyd, “This was the first time me and Virgil spent a long time together. It was great to have a long layoff to work on things.” When pressed on Floyd Mayweather, “This fight definitely puts me in line for Floyd. He hasn’t faced anyone with my speed. Styles make fights.”

Coming off a strong performance, Amir Khan has solidified his position to possibly challenge for one of the 147lb straps next. With Ramadan ruling Amir out of a possible September clash with Floyd, a clash with the winner of Shawn Porter vs. Kell Brook would be a tantalizing option.

Another option doing the rounds in the rumour mill has an interesting plot line built in. Oscar De La Hoya has publicly expressed a desire to settle the cold war so to speak, with Bob Arum. Adding to this development the fraction that has appeared between Richard Schaefer and Oscar, the rumoured Amir Khan vs. Manny Pacquiao bout could be a real possibility.

Following his loss to Danny Garcia, Khan opted to break his faction with Freddie Roach and join forces with Virgil Hunter. Both Pacquiao and Khan bring a fan friendly style to the ring that would mesh nicely for an exciting clash of styles. The rivalry outside the ropes between Roach and Hunter would add a little spice to an already salivating possibility between them. Should Khan secure a 147lb title, the odds with be stacked in his favour to begin the ‘Mayweather sweepstakes’ in pole position for next May.

Coming off a strong performance, Amir Khan has solidified his position among the Mayweather shortlist. With Ramadan ruling Amir out of a possible September clash with Floyd, a clash with the winner of Shawn Porter vs. Kell Brook would be a tantalizing option. Should Khan secure a 147lb title, the odds with be stacked in his favour to begin the ‘Mayweather sweepstakes’ in pole position for next May.