Softly softly for young lion Khan by Neil Holland Feb 15th 2006

In his first piece for BritishBoxing.net, Potteries trainer Neil Holland reveals his view that Amir Khan's handlers are wise to walk their lion with care through the professional jungle… If the vibes I'm picking up lately via the national press are anything to go by, there appear to be some out there who are beginning to question the credibility of Amir Khan's opponents. Fortunately, I believe that the team behind this gifted and unpretentious young man are sensible enough to resist any temptation to pit him early against the upper classes of the lightweight pack. At least not before he is good and ready. For my own part, I want to witness his rise and not his destruction. I hold the unshakeable opinion that to let the pack loose in the nursery before their young charge has matured sufficiently would be a catastrophic mistake. You don't get up the pecking order in professional boxing by accident. There are a number out there in the lightweight and light welter divisions who have the capacity to part an opponent from his senses with a single dream-ending punch, knowing full well the place in boxing history awaiting them, should they deliver it. Boxing enthusiasts need to remind themselves that a successful amateur career holds no guarantee for glowing progress in the paid ranks. You can also be assured that right now, the finest boxing brains in the country, in the context of both boxers and trainers, are out there plotting the downfall of our national treasure. They, above all people, know he is coming their way. People should also pause to consider that not only does Amir need to adjust to the different tempo of the pro game, the greater distance and the greater subtleties, his handlers also need time to adjust to him. It is, after all, not every day that trainers come across a combination of such blinding hand speed, electric reflexes and footwork both fast and clever enough to grace the finest instructional video. It needs to be worked with, moulded, adjusted and polished, strategies developed. The best sparring in the world will never replace the ability to practise new techniques and skills inside the ring under competitive conditions. To do just that, you need learning fights, as many as you can get. Further more, magnificent achievements by amateur boxers do not mean that they are automatically blessed with ability so great in its magnitude that all they have to do is turn up and sweep all others before them. The differences in ability to that of their opponents are mostly fractional, although very telling. If I am also talking about the same Amir Khan I saw in the amateurs, sitting on the canvas and even sporting a bloody nose, then the need for patience is paramount. It's too easy to forget how the wily Mario Kindelan outfoxed the young pretender when it mattered, even if revenge was later exacted expertly. The pro ranks are littered with equally wily and in some cases, powerful hitting, tough, resilient, and more importantly, experienced campaigners, awaiting the over eager and unprepared. In my first ever article on boxing I would appeal to everyone, be patient, just rejoice in witnessing such a mercurial talent parading his undoubted skills right here in your lifetime. Such natural sporting potential comes all too rarely. I repeat, be patient, and help keep him in the learning zone until the time is right. Let's not contribute to unfair and unhelpful public pressure on a genuinely nice young man and his team. His time will come all too quickly as it is. Amir has secured his place in this nation's heart with his exceptional honesty, bravery and dedication. His able amateur coaches deserve at least that we professionally care for him. We can plainly see the potential. Just let his handlers slowly but surely school this young lion, to one day stand proudly as king of his domain.

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