Fast Times For British Boxing
by Ash Thorpe

What a few months it's been for British boxing: Carl Froch took a last gasp win over Jermain Taylor, Ricky Hatton lost his crown as king of the light welterweights, and David Haye finally managed to seal the deal with number one heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko.

Next month Amir Khan hopes to become a world champion by beating the current WBA light welterweight champion Andriy Kotelnik. Khan made the unexpected step up to the junior welterweight division after his win over Marco Antonio Barrera. While critics have argued that promoter Frank Warren is dodging the dangerous elites in the lightweight divisions; the likes of Marquez, Diaz, Valero, Guzman, even Prescott, can you really blame him after that devastating defeat last September? Management is what Warren does best after all, and he'll look to secure Khan's marketability first and reputation later.

Here's where the plot thickens. If you thought Khan was getting off likely against Kotelnik, think about the fights that the light welterweight division has to offer. Unified champion Timothy Bradley is still improving himself; Junior Witter may get his WBC belt back after Bradley vacated and highly touted Golden Boy prospect Victor Ortiz has an interim title fight coming up. For which belt you ask? The WBA of course.

Should both Khan and Ortiz win their next fights, we will soon see a WBA title fight between the US and UK's big light welterweight talents. While I had hoped that we might eventually see these two meet, I did not expect it could happen so soon.

Another possibility being talked of for a Khan title defence is none other than Ricky Hatton. While it seemed unlikely a month ago, the possibility of a big name British bust up between the two of them is now not so unimaginable after the nature of Hatton's defeat to Pacquiao.

Among the long list of opponents hoping to face Hatton is the tough lightweight Michael Katsidis who has already effectively ended the career of a British champion in Graham Earl. Katsidis was an opponent that I hoped might be the next test for Khan in order to measure his position in the talent-heavy lightweight division. However, with Frank Warren deciding to move Khan up in weight, a Katsidis v Hatton match in Manchester is a thrilling prospect considering the aggressive styles of both fighters. But will it be a fight that Hatton will want to take?

Katsidis had back to back losses last year, by knockout against Joel Casamayor and a split decision to Juan Diaz (in a fight which could be viewed as somewhat of a blueprint for a potential clash with the Hitman). However, he has come back into contention strongly with wins over Angel Hugo Ramirez and Jesus Chavez this year and will be a hungry opponent eager to capitalise off Hatton's vulnerability coming back from a crushing second round defeat.

This, of course, can only happen if Hatton decides to continue fighting. Being as he's been at the top and had some great victories while he was there, I can't see him wanting to carry on in the sport if it means coming back down a level. Having said that, he is not the type of fighter who will want to exit stage on a major loss. Another hometown fight for his fans seems a likely conclusion to his career. We can only hope that the end will be as enthralling as his journey has been.

About The Author:

Ash Thorpe is a very exciting up and coming boxing writer. If you liked this article and want to get in touch with him please e-mail him at ashnt@hotmail.co.uk. Alternatively, you can visit him at www.furiousboxing.blogspot.com and youtube.com/furiousboxingblog.