By James Slater: Both Marcos Maidana and Paul McCloskey, if you asked them for their first choice for next opponent, would undoubtedly say the name Amir Khan. Both the Argentine powerhouse and the Northern Ireland southpaw have faced the reigning WBA 140-pound champ before, and both men felt aggrieved at the way they were beaten.
Maidana has been screaming for a return with Khan ever since coming oh, so close to KO’ing him in the 10th-round of a 2010 FOTY candidate. While McCloskey’s defensive skills were giving Khan fits back in April, until a seemingly superficial cut between the eyes (that came from a head-clash) ruined his chances. McCloskey, like Maidana, demanded a rematch – to no avail. Now the two men with hugely different fighting styles are close to facing each other in their next fight.
According to McCloskey representative Francie McNicholl, talks are currently underway for the two to meet in early September. In speaking with UTV Sport, McNicholl confirmed how he and Maidana’s manager, Sebastian Contursi have been talking, and that a clash between the two fighters has been “agreed to in principal.”
“I have been negotiating with Maidana’s manager and we have agreed in principal,” McNicholl said. “We hope the fight will take place UK or Northern Ireland in early September.”
A genuine clash of styles, most fans will probably look at the much harder-hitting “El Chino” as the winner. But aside from the cut stoppage loss to Khan, “Dudey” has never been halted; this sole defeat still causing the proud Dungiven man to simmer. It is not too hard to envisage the 31-year-old’s tricky southpaw skills giving the often crude Maidana the problems they gave the much quicker Khan.
It would be a big coup for the U.K or Northern Ireland if Maidana were indeed lured over to fight abroad. It seems the ball is in Maidana’s court right now, and it must be remembered how he has a good number of other options – a second fight with Mexican marvel Erik Morales being a much talked-of rematch. Also, 27-year-old Maidana did speak of wanting to have a big fight at home in Argentina. Maybe it will be McCloskey who ends up having to do the travelling?
Does McCloskey, 22-1(12) deserve another big chance in light of the controversial stoppage he suffered at the hands of Khan? Yes. Does Maidana, 30-2(27) deserve another shot at Khan in light of how thrilling their first fight was? Again, yes. It may be the next big chance for both men comes against each other.