Khan stops Molina but question marks remain

Khan lands at ease against Molina (Photo: Getty Images)

Khan overpowers Molina to stop two fight losing streak.

AMIR KHAN bounced back to winning ways with a one sided beat down of Carlos Molina.

Brave Molina was totally outclassed at the Sports Arena in Los Angles, by a new and improved Amir Khan, with new trainer Virgil Hunter constantly barking out the orders to his new charge.

Referee Jack Reiss gave Molina (9st 13lbs 75oz) every chance to continue as it became increasingly likely Molina stood no chance of pulling something special out of the bag.

At the end of round nine Reiss made himself clear to Molina’s corner that he would stop Molina on his feet in the next round unless the Mexican-American native was to offer more offensively.

Molina made it through to the end of the 10^th round but was still shipping too much punishment and Reiss called it off to the delight of Khan who also weighed in the same as Molina.

In truth Molina was the perfect opponent to help Khan move back into ‘world’ title contention.

Molina was unbeaten in 18 fights but hadn’t beaten anyone of note. He had fought the majority of his fights at lightweight and isn’t a big puncher.

Khan, with superior height and reach advantage, dominated from the opening stanza with a display of lightening hand speed and accuracy. He landed at will with three and four punch combinations as Molina’s defence deserted him.  

Khan boxed confidently and shrewdly; picking his moments to attack in pockets. What was pleasing to see was Khan rattling off his rapid combinations and then stepping back out of range as opposed to staying in there for toe-to-toe trading.

But there were also glimpses of the old Khan – leaving his chin out and Molina obliging several times with the right hand early on in the fight. If Molina possessed more power in his gloves then Khan would have surely been more wobbled than he was in the third.

This wasn’t much of a contest but will serve as a vital confidence booster for the Bolton fighter as he goes in search of the elite welterweights in 2013.

However, we all know Khan’s past of being savagely knocked out by the likes of Breidis Prescott (2008) and Danny Gracia earlier this year – and one would feel Khan’s fragility will never leave him.

You can appoint yourself a new trainer and introduce a 'Plan B' – but unfortunately for Khan he can not get himself a new chin. And that will, perhaps, prevent Khan from being a 'word' champ once more.