Clinton McKenzie's big fight preview: Amir Khan will be pushed but he has enough to jab out Paulie Malignaggi on points

By Tom Bellwood for MailOnline
Updated: 06:27 EST, 14 May 2010

Former boxer Clinton McKenzie

Former British and European light welterweight champion Clinton McKenzie (right) previews the light welterweight title clash between Amir Khan and Paulie Malignaggi in New York.

 

It’s showtime! One of the most important weekends in British boxing history in a generation is upon us.
 
The card: Amir ‘King’ Khan vs Paulie ‘The Magic Man’ Malignaggi in New York and Kevin ‘Dagenham Destroyer’ Mitchell vs Michael ‘The Great’ Katsidis at West Ham's Upton Park stadium in east London.
 
Khan defends his WBA light welterweight title - Mitchell and Katsidis hunt the WBO interim lightweight belt. It promises to be a night to remember.
 
The champions will be decided on Saturday night and an all-English match-up between Khan and Mitchell – which the fans and promoters desire - could be on the cards next year.
 
Sportsmail caught up with former British and European light welterweight champion CLINTON McKENZIE to preview the two big fights...

On ... the two big fights.

Two intriguing contests, this is going to be one of those special nights – even though the fights are thousands of miles apart.
 
And it’s an important event in British boxing - I can’t wait for these two match ups. But my opinion is that Kevin Mitchell’s fight is the bigger draw – without a doubt.
 
I’ve got the greatest respect for Khan but this is about Mitchell coming of age and the Essex boy’s fight will be about a boxer versus a puncher – brains against brawl.
 
We may have to wait 18 months or so for the two English fighters to get it on. Khan’s primed to go up a division and Mitchell is younger and lighter – he needs to prove himself at this weight. 

Amir Khan

 Head to head: Amir Khan (left) and Paulie Malignaggi ahead of their WBA title fight

Amir Khan

Trash talking: Khan and  Malignaggi square up at the press conference in NY city

On… Amir Khan v Paulie Malignaggi

Khan has the edge here. In terms of the fighters he’s faced and his results, there’s no doubt who the favourite is.  
 
It’s tough for Khan because of the way his last fight ended early and so Malignaggi has the opportunity to push him.
 
The bottom line – even though I rate Malignaggi – is that the New Yorker hasn’t got the power or ability to win.

Strengths                                      

Khan has one of the greatest jabs in the game and he has speed, combinations and an uppercut which can get him out of trouble. And I’m glad he is finally keeping his chin down – he knows that’s his achilles heel that Malignaggi could, otherwise, have exploited.

Weaknesses                                

The thing for me - and this reflects on how I believe the fight will develop - is that Malignaggi can’t punch hard. He fiddles about and runs around and Khan will be too strong for him – not that Malignaggi can’t take a whack but he doesn’t have much else about him.


Amir Khan

Packing a punch: Khan has one of the greatest jabs in the game and has speed

Big fight prediction

Khan doesn’t cut the ring off enough for me. He does everything in straight line but he has more than enough to win the fight.
 
Maglinaggi hasn’t got anything which stands out – he’s a spoiler who doesn’t make an exciting fight. He talks a good fight but will be beaten by Khan who will jab him out on points.
 

On… Kevin Mitchell v Michael Katsidis

This is an exciting fight for British boxing. It going to be all action – brains against brawl. I just feel that Kevin will come of age – if he beats Katsidis.
 
Mitchell used his head against Breidis Prescott: he got behind his jab and he did the business against a proper fighter. That earned him the right to fight a boxer of Katsidis’ calibre.
 
That isn’t to say I don’t rate the Australian because I do. Katsidis’ tolerance for punishment is incredible. I can’t remember a boxer who can take punishment like he does and keep throwing himself forward.

Kevin Mitchell

Hammer time: Kevin Mitchell (right) and Michael Katsidis pose for the press
at Upton Park ahead of their WBO interim lightweight belt clash this weekend


Strengths                                      

The boy from Dagenham has a great left jab - his footwork is excellent and his right cross is one of the best in the game but the jab is key.. 


The Aussie carries a high guard, takes digs and keep coming forward throwing punches. Admirable but I think Mitchell has the more than enough composure and ability to beat him.

Weaknesses                                

Mitchell still needs some development. He’s not short of being an accomplished fighter – it’s just he is raw in some fundamental ways. But the big titles are going to come his way – he deserves them.

The thing about Katsisdis is that he hasn’t got a brain! Not in terms of fighting but he can take punches and doesn’t care.


Kevin Mitchell

Claret and blue: Mitchell, dubbed the Dagenham Destroyer, has the composure
to beat Katsisdis with his fancy footwork and great left jab which will both be key 


Big fight prediction

As long as Mitchell doesn’t give in to his pride and get dragged in to a brawl – which he has a tendency to do – he’ll be OK.
 
Katsidis is a good fighter, he’ll have some dodgy rounds as will Mitchell but the Dagenham Destroyer will beat him by unanimous points in the end.

Catch up with Clinton at: www.clintonmckenzie.com

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