Khan's Flaws Exposed As Battle With Gomez Brings Out Best and Worst

Amir Khan's war with Michael Gomez, which ended when the referee stepped in as the Irish-born Mancunian took heavy punishment in the fifth round, may have been wildly exciting for the 10,000 sell-out crowd at the National Indoor Arena and millions of TV viewers, but it also underlined the flaws that mean the undefeated Commonwealth lightweight champion must forget about world title fights, at least for the time being.

There is no disguising the fact that Gomez, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Saturday, is a fighter who is past his best, for all his fighting heart, naked aggression and hell-raising persona. And yet he forced Khan to suffer the most difficult night of his professional career, and there were moments when the Olympic medalist was staring at the very real possibility of defeat.

It is the fragility of Khan that makes him such a box-office jewel. For all his brilliance, looks and likability - which give him a popularity that transcends his sport - there is a thickening dossier of evidence that suggests he still has much to learn in the professional game and that his punch resistance, or lack of it, will be exploited if or when he steps up to the elite level.

"He is a world-class boxer, with world-class vulnerabilities," was the observation of the beaten Gomez, who praised the accuracy and speed of the champion rather than his punching power. He also hinted that the Gomez of old might have found the speed to derail the Khan bandwagon when he had the opportunity, notably when he floored Khan with a left hook to the head in the second round and then forced him to dip an elbow to protect his hurt rib cage in the fourth round after Gomez had dredged a left hook out of his once formidable arsenal.

The 21-year-old had started fast and met the challenger with a barrage of head punches that forced Gomez to sink to his haunches. Khan found the fitness of youth to spring back and rally after he was dumped in the second, and the fusillade of punches he unleashed to drive Gomez back across the ring after being winded in the fourth was breathtaking. Likewise the body shot Khan produced to send Gomez down in the fifth before the referee John Keane waved a merciful conclusion.

And yet, despite the fact Khan had registered the 18th win of his undefeated career, criticism was quickly forthcoming, not least from his promoter Frank Warren, who will stage another Khan fight on September 6. "He needs more schooling," Warren said. "He got clipped. We learned about his heart. At times he fights with his heart rather than his head."

If Khan needs confirmation that there is a long way to go, he needs only watch the WBC world lightweight title fight in Las Vegas this weekend when the Filipino great Manny Pacquiao is expected to claim the title from the US champion David Diaz. Watching Gomez, one shuddered to think what Pacquiao might have done to the best young talent in Britain.

What he needs to change to win a world title

Former three-weight world champion Duke McKenzie, who commentated for ITV, believes Amir Khan is not ready for a world-title shot and says there are six areas he must focus on.

1 Buy a bigger abdominal protector

When Marvin Hagler fought John Mugabi, his protector was almost up to his chest. Not pretty but it helps you.

2 Defend against body shots

Khan must hold his hands by the side of his jaw and turn his gloves in. This way, his elbows are down and his ribs are protected from hooks.

3 Ride the head shots

He has to have the gloves open by the side of his head, protecting like a head guard. At the moment, he takes too many flush.

4 Vary the angles of his shots

He is throwing loads of punches - piston-like - in a straight line. He needs to roll in and out of range, make his opponent miss, and find more variety in his angles of attack.

5 Step off and counter

As a fighter plods forward Khan should be taking a small step back before stepping in with a punch.

6 Forget about US trainers

Khan should stick where he is - working with Dean Powell, and bring in an old trainer like Jimmy Tibbs to assist. Jimmy has seen and done it all in 30 years.