by James Slater – It seems as though WBA light-welterweight ruler Amir Khan will not be giving up his belt and choosing to “avoid” big-punching interim champion Marcos Maidana of Argentina after all. Though many of his critics began hurling insults at Khan when it looked for a time as though the Brit, who has just signed with Golden Boy, may fight someone other than Maidana next (some reports suggested a possible fight with Paulie Malignaggi), these same critics will now have to give Khan some praise. Because, as has been reported on a number of boxing web sites – BoxRec and Fight News to name just two – Khan and Maidana recently agreed to fight one another, deeming purse bids for the intriguing fight unnecessary.
The fight between the two young champions and would-be big stars has yet to be announced officially and we can only speculate about when and where the quite mouth-watering match-up will take place – although the word is the fight has a good shot at happening in March or April (BoxRec have the fight up as taking place on April 17th in Las Vegas, on the under-card of the long awaited Jones-Hopkins II bill). It’s no secret how 23-year-old Khan wants very much to make a name for himself in America, and what better way to start than with a U.S debut win over a guy many people felt he was afraid of due to his withering power?
It’s also no secret how Khan’s trainer, Freddie Roach, was never all that keen on his fighter taking on 26-year-old Maidana, because of how dangerous a proposition the fight was. Did Khan insist to Roach that he would face Maidana, so as to not be called all manner of names in the media and by the fans? Maybe. One thing is sure, Khan, who always has had enormous pride, despite what some of his critics may say, deserves credit for agreeing to fight the man who has an impressive 26 KO’s from his 27 wins (one loss, on points to the man Khan dethroned last summer, Andriy Kotelnik).
If Khan, 22-1(16) can pull off a win over the man who can hit like a mule kicks but is not the most polished of boxers, he will have given his already accomplished career one major boost. No longer will the critics be able to say Khan cannot live with a banger. Still, it’s way to early to speak about who may win the fight – the main thing, though, is we can look forward to the fight. Could Khan-Maidana even be one of 2010’s best fights?