Crawford vs Khan: A Low Point For Khan?

Crawford vs Khan: A Low Point For Khan?

The defeat to Terence Crawford was expected, predictable even, but the manner of his 6th round loss wasn’t. The decision to ‘quit’ as many have labelled it, will give more ammunition to the haters of Amir Khan.

Many before him have taken similar low blows, and I can’t recall any who have taken the decision not to carry on, certainly in a fight of this magnitude. Khan had time to recover, he didn’t use it, he didn’t try.

It was probably a decision taken in the heat of the moment, one he almost certainly immediately regretted, and one he now has to try to justify.

Roberto Duran made his own call in his rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard, Duran was young enough to come again and wipe that ‘no mas’ memory away at least in part, Khan won’t be so fortunate, time isn’t on his side.

Regardless of the low blow, Khan was headed for certain defeat, the end wasn’t far away.

Khan needed a good start, Crawford had other ideas. Khan was dropped in the 1st and the bell arguably saved him.

Crawford was in control and would have got stronger as the fight progressed, Khan’s night was only going one way. The ending was anti-climatic, but in truth, the fight always had that sort of feel about it.

Crawford called out Errol Spence Jr, a fight which absolutely needs to happen if we are to know for sure who is the true welterweight king.

For Khan, I hope he quits for real, but the way he lost will probably mean he won’t. Whatever he says in public Khan will deeply regret how it ended, he won’t want to leave the sport on that note.

With world titles now seemingly a thing of the past Khan has few options, realistically maybe only one.

The fight with long-time rival Kell Brook has always been one he didn’t really fancy or want, at least in my opinion. But that might now be the only big fight left for him. But demands of rehydration and other such clauses will likely fall on deaf ears, Brook is the one holding all the cards, Khan now needs him, Brook may pass.

But retirement is really the only sensible decision he should be considering now. Memories will fade and his resume shouldn’t be judged on one bad night at the office, which this most certainly was.

Photo Credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank