By Leonard Harding: Now that the dust has settled on what was a memorable battle and and voted ‘Fight Of The Year’ by the American Boxers Writers Association, Marcos Maidana conqueror WBA Super World light welterweight champion Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s) returns to action on April 16 when he defends his WBA title against unbeaten European Boxing Union (EBU) champion Irishman Paul McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO’s) at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester, England.
After the physical demands of the Maidana fight Khan can be forgiven for taking a fight that will be seen as less demanding but nevertheless a defence that he cannot afford to take lightly as he heads inevitably towards a unification battle with Timothy Bradley.
Southpaw McCloskey, 31, brings an impressive 22-0 (12) record and has stopped his last 5 opponents. McCloskey has labeled Khan ‘Beatable’ and states that he has seen weaknesses that he intends to fully exploit when they meet in Manchester England on April 16.
Every fight for Khan now is a marquee fight as he continues his quest for super-stardom. Having seemingly put the disappointment of his devastating 1st round knockout loss to Breidis Prescott in what seems like an eternity ago in 2008, Khan is on the verge of great things, his confidence is sky high and he is maturing and settling into his role as world champion. With Freddie Roach in his corner Khan is on the crest of a wave.
Khan is the favourite but McCloskey plans to spoil the script. Whatever the outcome April 16 in Manchester promises to be another exciting chapter in the Amir Khan story.
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