Khan vs. Molina: Amir can’t afford to lose

By ESB - 10/10/2012 - Comments

By Michael Collins: Former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (26-3, 18 KO’s) is in a dire situation going into his December 15th Showtime televised bout against unbeaten American Carlos Molina (17-0, 7 KO’s) at the Sports Arena, in Los Angeles, California. Khan, 26, is coming into the fight with losses in his last two fights and he’s now in a situation where he really can’t afford a third straight loss if he wants to remain relevant.

It’s perhaps for this reason that a lightweight has been chosen to fight him in the 5’6″ Molina. Khan is going to be the equivalent of a Klitschko in size compared to his much smaller opponent. It also helps that Molina is not only small but not much of a puncher either. However, when you’re struggling the way Khan is now it’s possible that he can lose to anyone at this point if they’re able to hit him hard enough to take him out. Beating him by a decision will be a lot harder for Molina because of his lack of size and with Khan fighting defensively much of the time.

Khan said to thesun.co.uk “I don’t want to lose this one. I don’t want to be in that position where, if I lose, I am thinking, ‘Where do I go from here…It’s make or break.”

I don’t see Khan retiring if he gets beaten by Molina, but I do think he might react instinctively by rolling some heads and possibly canning his new trainer Virgil Hunter so that someone can get partial blame. Khan has already let go two trainers following losses, and you’d have to imagine that Hunter might soon see the exit if he’s not able to bring Khan back to the top of the sport.

If Khan does get knocked out by Molina then he’s going to have to do something really drastic with his fighting style. Khan might have to throw only jabs and use constant movement to keep from getting hit. Clinching obviously would have to be a big part of Khan’s game, because fighters now know that Khan can’t fight on the inside and is extremely vulnerable.