During the week it was announced that Billy Dib would fight Amir Khan in Saudi Arabia for the newly minted WBC Welterweight Pearl title – whatever that is – only for the WBC to withdraw the Pearl title and announce that the fight would be for their vacant International title.
Putting aside the fact that Khan has done nothing to deserve a shot at any sort of title and is currently ranked 15 in the world by the WBC and Dib is not even ranked, my real issue is that the fight is taking place at all, and that a governing body is not only allowing it to take place but is actively promoting it. What a farce.
Since 2014, Khan has fought at the welterweight limit of 67 kilograms, building a 4-1 record and losing only to Terence Crawford, who is widely recognised as the best in the division. During the period he was also spectacularly KO’d by Canelo Alvarez in ill-advised fight for the middleweight belts.
Billy Dib, on the other hand, is one fight back from retirement, in which he totally outclassed a boxer from Thailand with a record of 7-12 who should probably consider a different career. This fight was held at the super-featherweight limit of 59 kilograms and this is why it is not only irresponsible for Dib to be fighting Khan, but also dangerous.
(AAP Image/Warren Clarke)
Dib will be moving up three weight divisions and the difference the between the limits is a full eight kilograms. While that does not sound a lot to most people, in boxing it is huge.
I understand that this will probably be the biggest payday of his career, but whoever is advising him should have whatever boxing credentials they possess revoked.
Billy Dib is a classy boxer who has competed at the highest level of the feather and super-feather divisions but was just not good enough to get to the very top. He has always been vulnerable against technical boxers who have been able to pick him off. As a result, he has been stopped once at feather and once at super-feather.
Amir Khan has always relied on his technical boxing ability rather than power, and most of his stoppages have come from sustained damage rather than one punch KO’s. This makes the match-up with Dib a disaster waiting to happen, especially given the clear size difference between the two.
I hope that I am wrong, but I can see Dib getting seriously hurt in this fight and the blame will lay at the feet of those who should know better and are entrusted to protect those who compete in the sport.
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Can’t believe that I read that Anthony Mundine is going to fight John Wayne Parr (which sounds like a cheap porn star name). How does this crap happen. Hasn’t boxing learnt from Mundine v Green 2 that two old boxers in thier 40’s should not be fighting
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
Well as predicted Dib didn’t last very long against Khan but atleast he would of gotten a decent payday out of it. It’s seems the Saudi Arabia is the new place to put on a $hit show and get away with it. Wwe did the same thing with its Crown Jewel debacle and boxing is now following suit. The Saudi has a heap of money to spend with no real insight on how things work in the Western world for show quality. For now it’s the perfect place to exploit. As for Dib he really should give it up as he is now just a punching bag for his opponents
greg parker
Roar Rookie
Dib was on the radar because he was already on the undercard. We don't know what (if any) efforts were made to find a legit welter to step in though, before the call was made for Dib. I fear you are both right about it being a mismatch of potentially dire proportions, but still don't blame Dib at all for grabbing his chance. He was already in training anyway for his undercard bout. As he himself hinted, it's all about risk vs reward. And we all know anything can happen in a boxing ring. Good luck to him. I hope he not only gets through unscathed, but causes the upset of the century. Why Khan was given the bout in the first place - with anyone - is another matter.
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
This is a classic example of what’s wrong with boxing, too much money involved. Initially Khan was having an exhibition bout against his first opponent but he unfortunately had a crash car and had to withdraw. Now in similar fashion to Spence Jr v Garcia just recently a fight is made that is a complete mismatch. Dib was once a decent IBF Featherweight champ but is clearly past his best and not even close to being ready for this. I’ll like to know how Dib was on Khan’s radar in the first place??? Another thing is that these santicioning bodies, WBC, WBA, and to a lesser extent WBO are just making up belts Willy nillly for the sake of it. Three versions of the world title??? Please can’t we just go back to the days of one champ per division and the best fight the best. You said that Terence Crawford is the best in the division? I disagree, since beating Horn for the WBO Welterweight title he hasn’t even tried to fight any of the other champs, Errol Spence Jr IBF, Keith Thurman WBA or WBC champ Shawn Porter. That is the real disgrace in boxing, Khan v Dib will be forgotten by July 14