By William Mackay: Marcos Maidana’s stock is way up after his fight with WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan on December 11th. Maidana lost the fight by a close 12 round decision, but he came out of the fight looking like the better and the more exciting fighter by the way he finished the bout punishing Khan in the last three rounds. Maidana, 27, is now looking for his next quality opponent and I think the perfect guy for Maidana to fight is Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 Ko’s), who just happens to be looking to move up to the light welterweight division for a high visibility fight anyway.

A fight between Marquez and Maidana would be a classic, much better than if Marquez were to fight Khan. That would be a frustrating fight for Marquez, because he would literally be forced to chase Khan all night long in order to land shots. Khan would do what he did against Maidana, namely run, run and run. Marquez would have to land when he could against Khan and hope that he tires out in the later rounds of the fight from all the running. In the meantime, Khan would likely win some of the rounds by throwing quick flurries that impress the judges.

Never mind that the flurries would hit generally nothing but air; the judges would still give him the rounds just by seeing him throw fast shots in the air. Marquez would be much smarter to take on Maidana because that fight would promise to be a much more exciting affair and it would mimic the kinds of fights that Marquez would be getting if he were to move up to the welterweight division and take on someone like WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto or fight a rematch with Manny Pacquiao. Maidana would have a chance to knock Marquez out if he connects enough. Michael Katsidis put Marquez down in their last fight and Katsidis doesn’t punch anywhere near as hard as Maidana. It would be a great fight because Maidana would be there for Marquez to hit and wouldn’t be running the way Khan would. I like this fight.