By Simon Hirst: The bell of the 12th round sounds as a swollen face of Amir Khan throws his last punch of a flurry to win his fight with the tough, robust powerhouse Marcos Maidana. His arms raise above his head aware that he had lasted, perhaps more accurately described as survived, twelve rounds with the man whom everybody recognises as the biggest puncher at this weight.
Khan vs. McCloskey
Khan hoping McCloskey will take 2nd offer – Boxing News
By William Mackay: WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s) has resumed talks with number #5 ranked WBA contender Paul McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO’s) for a bout that will be taking place on April 16th at the M.E.N. Arena. McCloskey and his promoter Barry Hearn turned down Khan’s initial offer. However, Khan and his management has made a second offer after initially making it a take it or leave it offer to McCloskey.
McCloskey still in the running for Khan bout
By William Mackay: Undefeated EBU light welterweight champion Paul McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO’s) is still in the running for a shot against World Boxing Association (WBA) light welterweight champion Amir Khan on April 16th.
Khan’s options for April 16th bout are dwindling
By William Mackay: Well, you can add EBU light welterweight champion Paul McCloskey to the list of names that won’t be fighting WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan on April 16th after his promoter reported that a fight with Khan was dead in the water because of a low offer from Khan. Light welterweight contender Lamont Peterson had already been ruled out as an opponent because he had supposedly “priced himself out” for a fight with Khan by asking for too much money.
Khan’s fight against McCloskey in danger of falling apart
By William Mackay: WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan’s April 16th fight against EBU light welterweight champion Paul McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO’s) may not happen, as McCloskey and his manager Francie McNicholl aren’t happy with the money that’s being offered for the fight. McCloskey, 31, wants more money and doesn’t feel like he’s getting a fair offer from Khan.
Khan’s opponents shouldn’t expect a huge payday to fight him
By William Mackay: If you to fight WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s), don’t expect to get a huge payday because Khan doesn’t want to be seen as a cash cow. Recently, Khan has dismissed possible opponents because they wanted too much money to fight him. Light welterweight contenders Lamont Peterson and Paul McCloskey could find themselves ruled out as opponents for Khan because they reportedly are asking for too much money to fight Khan.
Khan vs. Prescott is a backwards step for Amir, but McCloskey isn’t much better
By Dan Ambrose: I agree with that Breidis Prescott would be a backwards step for WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan in terms of his progression as a fighter, albeit a dangerous backwards step. This would be the equivalent of Wladimir Kltischko fighting an immediate rematch with Ross Puritty, Corrie Sanders or Lamon Brewster. Prescott handled Khan in such a way that left no doubt that he owned him as a fighter and would likely own him again in the future.
Khan-McCloskey: Will HBO agree to show this?
By Scott Gilfoid: I’d love to be a fly on the wall at HBO headquarters as they discuss whether to serve up Amir Khan’s fight against hand-picked unknown Paul McCloskey on April 16th to their loyal HBO subscribers in the United States. Few casual fans in the U.S have even heard of Khan, and now Khan and his promoters are looking to put him in with a fighter that only UK boxing fans are familiar with. That’s not exactly the smartest thing to do if you ask me.
Prescott: Khan realizes I would knock him out if we fought again
By Scott Gilfoid: It’s funny how WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s) is clearly running from former conqueror Breidis Prescott (23-2, 19 KO’s) rather than manning up and trying to avenge his earlier defeat to Prescott. This isn’t lost on Prescott, who came out today with a press release, saying “What does it tell you that he’d go around me, the man who beat him, to instead face a much lighter hitting and unknown fighter he thinks he can beat. Obviously Amir Khan and his team realize I would knock him out of we fought again.”
Which is the bigger fight? Khan-Prescott II or Khan-McCloskey
By Dan Ambrose: WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s) has been dismissive of his loss to Breidis Prescott, saying that he’s learned from the defeat and he would have nothing to gain from fighting Prescott now due to his lack of success since their fight in 2008. However, since Khan is fighting in the UK in what is effectively nothing more than a tune-up, why then shouldn’t Khan be open to fighting Prescott again? I may be wrong but I would guess that a fight involving Khan and Prescott would be a bigger success than Khan vs. EBU light welterweight champion Paul McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO’s).