Amir Khan vs Luis Collazo Preview + rest of Mayweather-Maidana Undercard

By Peter Wells:

Amir Khan (left) & Luis Collazo (right)

While he may not like to tempt fate, there seems no other reason as to why Amir Khan has been slotted as the co-feature to the 'Floyd Mayweather show'. The fact that he will contest for the WBC and WBA's meaningless 'Silver' and 'International' titles will also guide the winner of Khan-Luis Collazo to be the mandatory challenger for the winner of the main event. Basically Khan is one win away from his dream fight, one win away from the pinnacle of boxing.

While many will argue the validity of Khan's challenge of the pound-for-pound king, you only need look at the names on his resume, which includes a win over the man facing Floyd on Saturday night. In support of Khan 28-3(19), one can then point to the fact that the Bolton fighter has come over to America and called out some of the biggest names at Light Welterweight and succeeded in becoming the WBA and IBF Light Welterweight champion of the world. Yes there are fighters such as Manny Pacquiao, Timothy Bradley, Erislandy Lara and Danny Garcia - to name a few - that merit the shot at the 'King' more than Khan, but those aforementioned names are also more worthy than Marcos Maidana, especially when you consider Maidana's style that many, including myself, would label as tailor-made for Mayweather.

That discussion though can wait just a while longer, because at hand first is Khan's Welterweight debut, and if Khan is reading the script in the same way I have written this preview then the ending will look very different.

Luis Collazo 35-5(18) is a valiant world title challenger, who would no doubt be a key player in any other division, but with the depth at 147lbs, the popular Brooklynite has seen himself on the outside looking in for much of his career. Defeats to Ricky Hatton (L UD 12), Shane Mosley (L UD 12), Andre Berto (L UD 12) and Freddy Hernandez (L UD 10) have given Collazo the recognition as a fighter that can't win the big ones.

Successive wins prior to his 2006 defeat to Hatton over Jose Antonio Riviera (W SD 12) and Miguel Angel Gonzalez (W RTD 7) are the two biggest wins of his career, and the voodoo hanging above him seemed to be vanquished in January when he stopped Victor Ortiz inside 2 rounds, but his props for that win will never be fully awarded to him due to the ever-present question marks over Ortiz's mental toughness in the ring - while caught with a flush shot, Ortiz stayed on the canvas for the 10 count despite being on all fours and looking straight ahead as if he was OK to continue.

While Collazo does carry a decent punch, he isn't a knockout artist, at least not at the level Khan is at. Khan's defensive lapses though must be eradicated to some extent if he is to see past this challenge.

Criticism of Khan's chin over the years has been over the top, rather than blaming his chin, the blame should lie on his inability to defend himself at all times. Would we all be calling Khan chinny had he kept his hands up and stayed out of range against Breidis Prescott and Danny Garcia? Instead we would have been referencing from the haymakers he stood up to against Marcos Maidana (W UD 12).

Khan's heart on the other hand has never been called into question, and he will likely need that incredible will-power at some stage in this contest too. He will also need to keep his hands high when in range, while using his speed to frustrate Collazo.

Collazo will be collected throughout the fight, but he will struggle with the movement of Khan, and will be at the end of an intelligent jab for much of the contest. While Khan may never entirely change his reckless style he can adapt to use his jab more as a defensive barrier rather than just an offensive weapon that often leaves him so open.

Adrien Broner (left) & Carlos Molina (right)

Collazo may worry Khan and his supporters at a few stages in the fight, it will be relatively a one-sided affair, Collazo will take some rounds for the more noteworthy shots, but Khan's tempo and flashy combinations will outweigh whatever Collazo can do. Khan won't cruise to a unanimous decision win, but he will get there, and his Mayweather showdown will be just 4 months away. 

After a humbling defeat last time out Adrien Broner 27-1(22) makes a wise move as he steps down to Light Welterweight after his failed attempt to jump from Lightweight to Welterweight.

Broner should have paid the price against Paulie Malignaggi (W SD 12), but was hit with a nasty fine when he was outscored by the explosive Marcos Maidana (L UD 12). Broner's attitude left him getting little credit that he deserved for wins over Jason Litzau (TKO 1), Eloy Perez (TKO 4) and Antonio DeMarco (TKO 8), and his bravery against Maidana also went without credit.

Broner is still a world class fighter, but just how far he can go was put into perspective last year, a possible change in style may be needed if he is to advance beyond the level he is currently at.

J'Leon Love (right) & Marco Antonio Periban (left)

Carlos Molina 17-1-1(7) should be the perfect opponent for Broner to shine against. The Californian - not to be confused with the Light Middleweight Carlos Molina - has not fought since a December 2012 defeat to Amir Khan (L RTD 10). Molina was outclassed throughout and he will be in the same situation come Saturday night. Broner can punish Molina before it is halted by the referee inside 7 rounds.

In another 10 rounder, J'Leon Love 17-0(10) will take on former Super Middleweight world title challenger Marco Antonio Periban 20-1-1(13).

Mexican Periban experienced a bit of everything last year as he beat Samuel Miller (KO 2), lost in a WBC world title bid against Sakio Bika (L MD 12) and then drew with another Mayweather Promotions product Badou Jack (MD 10). 


L-R: Andrew Tabiti, Ronald Gavril, Ladarius Miller, Lanell Bellows,
Ashley Theophane, Anthony Ogogo

With both Badou Jack and Mickey Bey slipping up the Mayweather stable will be hoping that Love can make it across this hurdle. A decent prospect, Love struggled to cope with Gabriel Rosado (ND 10) - originally ruled a Love win, but after testing positive for a banned diuretic the result was changed to a No Decision - but two stoppage wins since at a higher weight class - 168lbs - he may have found his right track to a world title.

Love will want to impress against the tough and dangerous but equally limited Periban, but one can see Love having much the same problems he had with Rosado. At the end of 10 tough rounds, Love will claim a tight but fair points victory.

Elsewhere on the undercard, Anthony Ogogo 5-0(2), Ronald Gavril 8-0(6), Ashley Theophane 34-6-1(10), Andrew Tabiti 5-0(5), Lanell Bellows 6-1-1(5) and Ladarius Miller 1-0 all feature.