Barry McGuigan: Trainer, matchmaker & kingmaker, that's Freddie Roach

By Barry Mcguigan

Matchmaking is almost as important as preparation.

In Freddie Roach, Amir Khan has the best of both worlds, a brilliant trainer and equally adept matchmaker.

You only have to look how Manny Pacquiao has prospered with Roach. Not just technically but in picking the right opponent at the right time.

Eyebrows were raised when the fight was made with Oscar De La Hoya. Ricky Hatton was thought to have a great chance, Miguel Cotto, too.

Pacquiao did exactly as Roach predicted. He blitzed them all.

Roach is probably looking two or three fights down the line for Khan.

He will see little to fear in Dmitriy Salita, the tough talking ex-pat Ukrainian from Brooklyn.

Salita was down in successive bouts at the end of 2005 and start of 2006, both in the opening round. He is particularly vulnerable to a right over the top.

Ramon Montano had him over twice. Salita got up to clinch a draw but many thought Montano won the fight.

None of Salita's opponents have been outstanding.

But he comes into the fight unbeaten in 31 bouts and must be respected. Salita has fast hands, even if his feet are not overly quick. They are too close together, which contributes to his ponderous style.

Khan is naturally filling into the weight, having moved up from lightweight.

The more time he spends with Roach, the better he gets.

I watched him working on the pads and his angles are improving noticeably. Roach will make him the best fighter he can be.

In the amateurs, coach Lee Pullen took the national team out to the world juniors. There was a French guy who looked amazing. He was beating up everybody. Khan was drawn to fight him next so Pullen took him along to watch his bout.

Pullen pointed out how the French kid dropped his left hand a little after throwing the jab.

Just as he brought it back to protect his chin, his left fell briefly about six inches. Khan had just turned 17. He spotted the mistake before Pullen.

Sure enough the French kid threw the jab as expected and dropped it a little as he took it back.

Khan banged over the right hand and knocked him out. Khan picks things up quickly. He has a fantastic aptitude for boxing. This is part of what makes him so exciting, and so special.

We know about his vulnerability. Salita believes he is chinny. He would say that.

The point is Khan has improved so much defensively under Roach. He is stronger and more comfortable at lightwelterweight.

Those three elements should see him home comfortably.

Salita does not punch hard enough to worry Khan. He is no Breidis Prescott.

He puts combinations together and is no less a puncher than Willie Limond.

If he catches Khan early it could be exciting, but I think Khan is too quick for him.

Andreas Kotelnik, who Khan saw off on points in July, has a better defence than Salita and more durability.

Khan has been in with boxers of greater pedigree. He is younger and getting better.

Salita is right in the slot for him tonight. And I doubt he will survive beyond the middle rounds.

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Big Fight Odds: Khan 1-7, Salita 4-1, draw 25-1. Freephone: 0800 289 892

Source: mirror.co.uk