Khan Amir sting like Ali?

Hours after the Theatre of the New Ear played out spectacle at a venue traditionally used for classical arts, a ballet of another kind was performed on a springy canvas in Bolton.

Well I guess it depends on how you define ballet:

"To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other."

- Jack Handy, famous for his Deep Thought comedy sketches on Saturday Night Live.

Flyweight Amir Khan, at 18 a big UK talent in a little package, announced he was turning pro after outpointing Cuban Olympic and World Champion Mario Kindelan. Kindelan had beaten Khan in the Athens 2004 Olympics and the Bolton-native was determined to avenge this defeat before turning pro. Many pundits rated Kindelan the greatest amateur fighter in the world.

A quick scan of the media coverage going into the bout. The Cuban coverage reveals the close alignment between national pride and sporting outcomes in the country. In England Khan said he would win and when he won said he would become a legend by 25. Sounds as if he is made of the right stuff for the bravado and theatre that is modern professional boxing, particularly the kind of big title fights Khan will want to land in the future. Reminds a bit of Khan's fighting hero:

"I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was."

- Muhammad Ali, the greatest

It was rumored before the Athens games that if Khan wasn't selected for the British team he might fight for Pakistan, the native home of his parents. Instead he become a terrific sporting hero for Britain. Most pubs were filled as the fight was broadcast live on national terrestrial television. In a country that can always benefit from frequent reminders of the values of the diverse multicultural population, Khan is the best fighter and could be doing for East Indians in England what footballer Zidane did for North Africans in France after the successful 1998 World Cup campaign - improving multiculturalism through sport.

Boxing can be a gruesome game but in tales from Rocky, Sugar Ray, Duran, Roy Jones, pre-ear-munching Tyson, and most famously Ali himself, the penchant for great drama and bravery in boxing can rarely be matched. And occasionally as with Ali, it can have global effects. A scan of comments on an Islamic message board to an interview with Ali reveals the depth of inspiration.

- MUHAMMAD ALI IS THE GREATEST! NO MATTER WHO OR WHAT HE'S UP AGAINST, HE ALWAYS COMES OUT ON TOP!!

- I think Muhammad Ali is the greatest boxer in the entire universe! He really inspired me to stand up for Islam and to not be ashamed of who you are! And if someone tries to Taunt you for wh you are then just simply tell them i dont have to be who you want be to be i think he is i just can;'t explain! "Your hands can't hit what you eyes cant see, float like a butterfly,sting like a bee, Rumble young man rumble"!

So enough about Ali and the past, when we could be presently witnessing the birth of a prodigous talent in Khan. He needs to work a lot on his press conference patter to match his hero but his footwork, so improved over his last encounter with Kindelan, set him apart from the Cuban. Floating like a butterfly who has matured to compliment the bravado, Khan shares many of the qualities of his iconic hero, but plans to differ on retirement plans.

"I want to retire from all of boxing by the age of 25, becoming a legend as well at that age. It is a big goal and it is going to be hard to do ... I don't want to get punched all my life so the best thing is at the age of 25 to stop boxing and look after my family." (Sporting Life)

Labels: london, sport

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Sunday, May 15, 2005