By Dallan o’ Donnell: Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s) made his Las Vegas debut on Saturday night in a defence of his WBA Light- welterweight title against Argentine powerhouse Marcos Maidana. Khan won a unanimous decision victory over Maidana in a grueling 12 round contest.
Many predicted Khan would fail at this level against a big puncher like Maidana with his infamous glass chin. But to Khan’s credit he did things the hard way. He took some huge shots in the 10th round that would have had most men down, but he showed great heart and determination to somehow remain on his feet and survive the round and show the boxing world that his chin was no longer a problem.
Khan had Maidana down in the first with a crunching body shot doing the damage but Maidana beat the count and managed to carry on. Khan did look much faster and improvements could be seen in his defence, but he still has a long way to go, and alot still to learn from his trainer Freddie Roach if he is to face Floyd Mayweather JR.
Khan has repeatedly called out the undefeated Mayweather who has issued no response perhaps in light of his legal issues at the present time. The only downside in his victory over Maidana was the fact he did take so many hard shots.
Would he be able to withstand Mayweather’s power when he lands his right hands? I wouldn’t think so, not many boxers can. Khan was unable to find the knockout against a man that constantly comes forward on the attack and is reasonably easy to hit unlike Mayweather who is next to impossible to land cleanly on with his amazing defence work.
Khan is just simply not ready for that kind of step up in class. I would like to see Khan face the winner of Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley who face off in January for the WBO light- welterweight title. That fight is something to look forward to on its own.
But Khan does need to test himself further against these fighters both Alexander and Bradley would pose a huge test to Amir. But as of now, if i was team Khan i would stay well clear of a Mayweather fight. Taking nothing away from his win over Maidana however, he did the business and proved critics wrong, until the next time he steps into the ring.
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