By Dallan o’ Donnell: Amir Khan (23-1, 17 Kos) faces the toughest test in his boxing career to date when he squares off against hard hitting Marcos Maidana (29-1, 27 Kos). This will be only the second time that Khan has fought in America and his first fight in Las Vegas. Many Boxing analysts see this as an acid test on how far Khan has come, training under Freddie Roach and alongside Manny Pacquaio. Roach has dramatically improved Khans leaky defence and his explosive hand speed and power makes him an intriguing fighter to behold.

However unlike Khans last opponent Paulie Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana has knockout power, his incredible record of 27 knockouts from 29 bouts is not something to be taken lightly even if Khan will be hard to hit come December. Roach would have it drilled in to Khan to hold a high guard and hit and move all night long. If Maidana is to worry Khan he will have to turn this into a brawl, spoiling up close when he gets the chance with killer body shots being the key to unlocking Khans glass jaw.

Khan will try and box his way to retaining his WBA light welterweight title and if he gets half a chance he will end Maidana’s night early although Maidana usually has many early nights when he fights. It would certainly be a shock if Maidana was to pull off a win especially with Khan under the guidance of Roach. But being away from England will Khan have the same traveling support as one of the most popular British fighters of all time Ricky Hatton? Hatton had an army of supporters with him and if Khan has half of that kind of support he would be doing well.

If Khan does win and it does seem likely that he will, will he fight Timothy Bradley? Or will he keep up his pursuit of Floyd Mayweather Jr? It promises to be a busy year for Khan if he does win but if he loses to Maidana it could be a crisis his career may not survive. But I will stick my neck on the line and say although Maidana is a talent Khan will be too much for him to handle and it could be over in 5 rounds. And Khan will still reign as WBA champion.