By William Mackay: For World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KO’s) he could do himself a world of good if he rises up and takes on the winner of tonight’s unification bout between WBC champion Devon Alexander (19-0, 12 KO’s) and IBF title holder Juan Urango (22-2-1, 17 KO’s) at the Mohegan Sun Casino, in Uncasville, Connecticut. Khan, 23, could very well find himself facing Alexander, also 23, and wouldn’t have to worry about having his tender chin checked. Alexander is decent puncher, but nowhere near the power of Breidis Prescott or someone like WBA light welterweight interim champion Marcos Maidana.

Khan would have the speed advantage of Alexander, and could out-box rather easily if Khan chooses to stay on the outside and not get lured in close with Alexander. More importantly, if Khan can unify the IBF and WBC lightweight titles with his WBA title, it would it would effectively make Khan the most sought after fighter in the light welterweight division and bring him instant recognition in the United States.

I still don’t think Khan would be the best light welterweight division, because I feel that label rests with WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley. However, boxing fans would give Khan a great deal of respect if he beats the winner of the Alexander vs. Urango fight. However, if Urango winds up the winner of tonight’s fight with Alexander, then I think Khan would be better off avoiding Urango and sticking to defending his WBA title against some other opponents.

Urango is too dangerous with his high pressure offense and his power. He can be easily out-boxed by skilled fighters, but even then, Urango connects every now and then with some big shots. Khan wouldn’t be able to beat Urango by running all night long without having to take a number of huge punches from Urango at some point in the fight. I don’t have a lot of faith that Khan could take those shots unfortunately. It would be like facing a slower, less mobile version of Marcos Maidana.

Urango may get out-boxed and made to look clumsy for most of the fight, but sooner or later he would catch up to Khan and tap his chin with something big. I think when that happens, Khan will be stretched out on the canvas looking up at the lights wondering what happened. Khan would be better off facing a light hitter like Victor Cayo, provided he beats Maidana when they fight later on this month on March 27th.

I expect Cayo to outpoint Maidana and win a fairly wide decision. I think Khan can beat Cayo without too many problems because of Khan’s much better hand speed. It would be like facing a taller version of Paulie Malignaggi. Cayo is 5’11”, fights with his hands down by his sides and does a lot of the same things that Malignaggi does when he fights in terms of making his opponents look bad.

With his better hand speed and combinations, I think Khan would easily beat Cayo without any problems. At the same time, it would make Khan look even better as a fighter given that Cayo would come into the fight with a win over Maidana. Khan wouldn’t have to face Maidana, but would get credit for having beaten the guy that beat Maidana.