By James Slater: Amir Khan was hoping to face Lamont Peterson in a return fight of their December 2011 thriller in his next fight, yet the sequel didn’t materialise (and may never do so). Victor Ortiz was just days away from his rematch with the man he beat in yet another thriller last April, in Andre Berto, yet the fight fell through due to a Berto bicep injury.
So, we now have the unexpected situation of both guys having no next opponent lined up. Berto will not be ready to rumble for some time, and Ortiz said his next fight will not be against Berto anyway; while Lamont Peterson appears headed towards a big fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Here’s an idea: why don’t “King” Khan and “Vicious” Victor fight each other next?
The fight makes sense in so many ways. Both men have exciting styles, Khan wants to go up to Ortiz’ weight class of 147-pounds anyway, the two have a history (Khan defeated a somewhat inexperienced Ortiz as an amateur some years back) and both men like and respect one another. Also, the fight should be a relatively easy one to make seeing how both boxers are promoted by Golden Boy. With no fight in the immediate pipeline for either guy, the two fighters could come to the rescue of each other.
I’m sure the fight would prove a hit with fans, wherever it took place. Neither guy is under-card material anymore, therefore a big stage would need to be found for the two to headline on if they did agree to fight each other. Both men are hungry for a big fight right now, and with neither man about to get the fight they really want, the time is right for something that would be a whole lot more than a mere time filler.
Ortiz, win or lose against Khan, would then move ahead with his return with Berto. Khan, win or lose, would have tested the waters at welterweight. But who would win if Khan and Ortiz got it on? Ortiz, proven as a welter, has the edge in power. Khan, who holds that unpaid win over Ortiz, is the faster fighter, with better boxing skills. I think the styles of the two men would gel well.
In terms of common opponent, Khan did better than Ortiz in beating Marcos Maidana, who made Ortiz quit. If the formbook were to be obeyed, I’d have to go with Khan – who had no trouble with the southpaw stance when he met Zab Judah – to win a real battle with the man from Oxnard. Khan to get up from the floor to win a close decision? That’s my pick.
Make the fight happen!