By Scott Gilfoid: WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s) is practically tripping over himself in the excitement that he could be facing weak-punching #5 ranked World Boxing Association light welterweight contender Paul McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO’s) next on April 16th rather than the slightly lower ranked #6 ranked contender and much more dangerous Lamont Peterson (28-1-1, 14 KO’s).

Take one look at the feather-fisted weak southpaw McCloskey and it’s pretty easy to see why. McCloskey, 31, can’t crack and egg with his punches and has faced B level fighters the entirety of his six-year pro career. And while McCloskey has captured the British and European Boxing Union (EBU) light welterweight titles, those are titles that lower level fighters fend for rather than the world class fighters.

Khan, with his weak chin, has absolutely nothing to worry about facing a weak puncher like McCloskey instead of much more dangerous contenders with power like Victor Ortiz or Lucas Matthysse. Khan barely survived his last fight against Marcos Maidana in December.

Khan gave new meaning to the words winning ugly with his constant holding and running. In the end, he survived but failed to show that he’s the next big thing in the division. Maidana pretty much exposed Khan in that fight.

McCloskey’s claim to fame is beating obscure domestic fighters like Barry Morrison, Colin Lynes and Dean Harrison. There’s nothing on McCloskey’s resume that impresses. His stamina is usually poor, as he fades badly around 7th round, and his punches are more like love taps than power shots. In other words, McCloskey is the perfect opponent for Khan to keep winning.