Guerrero looking like Khan’s next opponent on July 23

By William Mackay: The choice for WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan’s next fight on July 23 has narrowed dramatically in the past month with IBF light welterweight champ Zab Judah and WBC/WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley falling by the wayside, leaving only Erik Morales, Marcos Maidana and Roberto Guerrero. Of those, most boxing fans would select Maidana as number #1, Morales #2 and Guerrero a way distant #3.

But according to reports, it’s looking like Khan will be facing Guerrero next. While that’s a heck of a lot better than Khan’s last fight against the obscure and badly over-matched weak punching Paul McCloskey, it’s still not as interesting as a rematch between Khan and Maidana.

Personally, I see Morales as another safe fight for Khan, because he’s lost his once impressive power since moving up from the bantamweight division years ago and he doesn’t seem anywhere close to being the same fighter he once was while fighting at light welterweight. He’s not a real knockout threat, which is why I can see him getting the pick. As for Guerrero, he’s a lightweight, not a light welterweight. Do I need to say more?

Selecting a guy a division below you to fight always makes you wonder. Andre Berto, the former WBC welterweight champion, made a habit of doing that until it finally caught up to him when he was beaten by a light welterweight in Victor Ortiz, but it took a while for that to happen. Guerrero is not a big puncher even at lightweight and in moving up to light welterweight, you have to assume he’d have even less power.

It would come down to whoever lands the most shots. With Khan running around the ring all night long, I can’t see Guerrero being able to land enough to win a decision. In other words, this is a safe fight for Khan due to Guerrero’s lack of huge power, size and inexperience at light welterweight. I can see him getting the fight but I still think Morales might get the pick over him if they can get the money right. Morales might want too much money, and that would make Guerrero the better option. I’d rather see Khan fight Maidana, and probably most fans do as well, but he’s dangerous and you know what that means – he probably won’t get picked.

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