14.07.07 – By James Slater: There were serious alarm bells for twenty year old super prospect Amir Khan in London tonight. Taking on the experienced Scotsman Willie Limond for the twenty-eight year old’s Commonwealth lightweight title, the Olympic silver medallist was knocked down and was badly hurt, perhaps even close to being stopped, in the sixth round of a great fight. Khan showed heart and resolve by getting up from his first genuine trip to the canvas, dropping the tough Limond in the following round. Some answers were given in tonight’s fight, yet even more were asked.
Can Khan hold a big shot? He said his win proved he could, yet it must be remembered that Willie is no huge puncher – having only eight KO’s from his twenty-eight wins (One loss).
Khan improved to 13-0(9) as Limond’s corner pulled their man out at the end of the eighth, with the announcement that Willie had suffered a broken jaw and nose. The ending was perhaps a touch surprising, but Limond certainly made a name for himself tonight – even in defeat.
Khan came out in the first few rounds as he always does. His ultra-fast hands working well for him, Amir was looking for yet another quick win. Limond was no mug, however, as most expected going in – Willie is known as being one capable fighter Both men looked cool and composed, despite the hugeness of the occasion. The rounds flew by as the fight became more and more engrossing. It was engrossing primarily because it was clear Limond was not going to fold easily and was instead going to fight with everything he had. I had Khan winning the first two, but then gave Limond the third. Willie was throwing fast punches himself, and his left jab was a formidable punch also.
By the fourth round it was already Khan’s toughest fight yet. In fact, I wrote in my notes the possibility that there just might be an upset. This notion was given serious credence in round number six. After yet another good burst by Khan – once again landing but with Willie’s chin holding up fine – Limond suddenly broke through and seriously hurt the twenty year old star. A left/right/left combo to the head sent Amir reeling and he was down. Hurt as never before in his life, Khan beat the count of referee Marcus McDonnell but was all over the place for an alarming number of seconds. Clinging in sheer desperation, Khan grimaced his way through the worst round of his entire boxing career. It looked to be all over on at least two
occasions.
Amir showed grit, however, and made it back to his corner after one of the most exciting rounds held in a British ring this year. In the seventh Kahn looked to get his left jab back to work. Has he recovered? I scribbled in my notes. He had. Coming blazing back, a big right hand to the chin sent Limon crashing. The crowd was absolutely roaring now! Willie, also showing guts, beat the count, but Kahn was all over him looking for the finish. His face a bloody mess now, Limod took his turn to hold in desperation. Another great round of boxing action. Two 10-8 rounds in a row.
In the eighth, with his mouth bleeding profusely, Willie had let Khan get back in command. Amir was swinging wildly with left uppercuts, his left eye showing signs of damage. There was a brief time-out due to some loose tape on Khan’s glove – no doubt the rest coming as a relief to Willie. Body work by Khan further softened up the brave Scotsman, as Khan, digging deep, was determined to end matters. We didn’t know it at the sound of the bell, but Amir had done just that.
At the start of the ninth Limond’s corner signalled that their man would fight no more. A broken jaw and nose were given as the reason. No-one could ever question Willie’s courage, that’s for sure. Nor could they question Amir Khan’s.
His chin, however, may be a different story. Khan won his first major title, but how he had to work for it. The fight was a definite candidate for fight of the year.