Amir Khan undertakes the biggest fight of his career to date on Saturday as he takes on Carlos Molina as Victor Chandler release the latest odds on the boxing from Los Angeles.
The markets reckon the Brit is a shoo-in for the victory as most bookmakers have installed “King Khan” as a huge favourite for the clash at 1/12 with Betvictor.
The former Olympic silver medallist has lost his last two fights and looks a shadow of the man that won the WBA light-welterweight championship in 2009. He has gone from outclassing and beating the likes of Marcos Maidana and Zab Judah to falling at the feet of Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia.
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Khan has admitted himself that he needs to win against Molina in order to keep his career afloat. Another loss would see him tumble down the world ranking further; meaning his chances of fighting for a world title would decrease.
In a bid to rekindle that old spark, Khan has appointed a new trainer to take over the role from Freddie Roach.
This will be the first fight that Khan won’t have Roach in his corner since his 2008 loss to Breidis Prescott. Khan felt that his former trainer hadn’t devoted enough attention to his defensive work therefore has moved to bring in Virgil Hunter – a man that has coached the unbeaten Andre Ward to world title holder.
Ward’s game is all about a tough defence and Khan will be hoping Hunter’s regime can tighten up a guard that has been woeful at times in the last three years.
The Bolton native’s main weakness in games lies in the strength of his chin, which is almost non-existent. Any forceful punch that lands in the right area has the ability to wobble Khan, as shown in his defeat to Garcia, where he was knocked down three times before the referee stopped the fight in the fourth round.
This weekend’s opponent Molina is not renowned as a heavy puncher and has a style similar to Khan’s, which should play to the strengths of Khan, who has the ability to technically out-box anyone in the world. Bookmakers have concluded that this fight won’t turn into a scrap, therefore Khan is taken to outscore Molina heavily and the skinny odds represent that.
For those that think Molina does have the tool necessary to wobble Khan, you can get 5/1 with Paddy Power and Ladbrokes on him sending Khan to a third straight defeat.
This fight is easily the biggest fight of Molina career. He has yet to face someone of Khan’s notorious ability but he is 17-17 since turning professional and has won seven of those fights by knockout, which could give some of Khan’s layers some hope.
To say Molina is a hard hitter though would be way off the mark. He’s much lighter than Khan and is known for his speed around the ring.
There is a feeling that he won’t be able to match Khan blow-for-blow so his best chance of victory is by knockout. He is a best priced 10/1 shot with Victor Chandler to gain a victory by means of a knockout.
In the past Khan has gone forward too much in his fights, but under the regime it is likely he is use to utilise his jab more and try to technically outclass his opponent. It is for this reason that taking Khan to win by decision has been popular with punters as they have steamed into the 7/2 with Ladbrokes.
Another bet that has caught the eye of the shrew movers in the market is Khan to win late on, with rounds 9-12 at 11/4 with Ladbrokes seeing plenty of support in the build-up.