Khan-Maidana: Should Amir vacate his title?

By William Mackay: Promoter Frank Warren recently confirmed that World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO’s) has been ordered by the WBA to fight light welterweight interim champion Marcos Maidana (27-1, 26 KO’s) next. This is the perfect opportunity for the 23-year-old Khan to prove himself to boxing fans in the UK and elsewhere like the United States that he is the real deal. Khan has said that he wants to prove himself and make a name for himself in the U.S.

This is the type of opponent that Khan needs for him to make that happen. Maidana is hot fighter right now by virtue of his exciting 6th round stoppage of top light welterweight contender Victor Ortiz in June of last year. Maidana has huge power in both fists and a crowd pleasing brawling style of fighting.

In his fight with Ortiz, both he and Ortiz were down multiple times during the 6th round bout. Along with his big punching power, Maidana brings a shaky chin and a sense of drama into his fights. He doesn’t have the best of hand speed or the same kind of boxing skills that Khan possesses. However, Maidana has a lot of heart and is willing to take punishment in order to land his big shots.

Khan may or may not take the fight with Maidana. Amir can always vacate the title, which is what a lot of people think he will do, and go after a soft hitter like Pauli Malignaggi or other easier targets in the division. However, if Khan does decide to vacate his title, he’ll take a lot of criticism from boxing fans that will see him as ducking Maidana. Khan was knocked out in the 1st round in late 2008 by Breidis Prescott. Since that time, Khan hasn’t done anything to avenge this defeat.

One could understand why, besides wanting to keep on the winning track, which Khan would want to avoid fighting Maidana. Khan could make more money against other opponents like Malignaggi or Zab Judah. However, Khan would still be at risk even in those fights, but much less so because neither of those fighters are as big a puncher as Maidana.

Malignaggi is popular right now because of his comeback win against Juan Diaz last month, and Khan could get more attention by facing him rather than the little known Maidana. However, knowledgeable boxing fans would see Khan as a cherry picker and wouldn’t give him much respect if he avoids facing Maidana. At the same time, Khan will have to face dangerous fighters like Maidana sooner or later if he plans on staying at light welterweight. The division is deep in talent with champions Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander.

There are also a number of contenders like Ricky Hatton, Ortiz, Kendall Holt, Nate Campbell, Victor Cayo and Lamont Peterson that would pose potential problems for Khan in the future. Khan can’t avoid these fighters, and they’re equally as difficult as Maidana, although in a different way. Khan might be better off facing Maidana and trying to beat him somehow.

It would be a fight that would be shown on HBO in the U.S., and would give Khan a big shot in the arm if he can get past Maidana in one piece. If Khan loses, however, he may need to consider moving back down in weight to the lightweight division.

There are too many powerful punchers in the light welterweight division, and Khan would likely be in deep trouble for as long as he stays in the division. His trainer Freddie Roach can only do so much to help Khan avoid incoming fire, but if he doesn’t have the chin to take those shots, then he needs to move back down to the lightweight division where it’s a little safer. I think Khan might have a better chin than some people think, but the only way to find that out is to out him in with Maidana so we can find out.

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