Khan vs Maidana - Khan to vacate?

[leforge]

Khan going to bottle this I reckon.

[stujones]

Who started this comparison of two fighters ACTUAL punch power - surely it is all relative to the weight he fighting at.

I have no doubt Valuev would score a first round KO over Wayne McCullough, but shall we start saying Wayne has a weaker chin than Haye. Its all about relative power to your weight category - cause in Prescott's case he is only punching people with a 9 stone 9 frame.

[bigjack]

After watching khan vs salita i'm now convinced that khan will beat maidana,he won't come through a war to win as i don't think he is capable of that with this opponent,but i can see khan overpowering him before the fight has a chance to get started,or running all night for a wide points win.Khans boxing ability will carry him through most fights without any problems,it's when he is forced to stand and trade that he will come undone.

If you think Khan will beat Maidana that's fine, but he's not going to knock him out early. If Khan wins it's on points, imo, and if Maidana wins it's by KO.

No i don't think khan will ko him but he could trap him on the ropes and land a big fast flurry persuading the ref to jump in early and then maidana will protest that he wasn't hurt.

[Gazmac81]

yea i think it needs to go with Pound for Pound harder puncher to be fair
or its just not a competition

although i would like to see Valuev hit Khan on the Chin just to test the Theory

Who started this comparison of two fighters ACTUAL punch power - surely it is all relative to the weight he fighting at.

I have no doubt Valuev would score a first round KO over Wayne McCullough, but shall we start saying Wayne has a weaker chin than Wayne. Its all about relative power to your weight category - cause in Prescott's case he is only punching people with a 9 stone 9 frame.

[Asterix]

After watching khan vs salita i'm now convinced that khan will beat maidana,he won't come through a war to win as i don't think he is capable of that with this opponent,but i can see khan overpowering him before the fight has a chance to get started,or running all night for a wide points win.Khans boxing ability will carry him through most fights without any problems,it's when he is forced to stand and trade that he will come undone.

If you think Khan will beat Maidana that's fine, but he's not going to knock him out early. If Khan wins it's on points, imo, and if Maidana wins it's by KO.

No i don't think khan will ko him but he could trap him on the ropes and land a big fast flurry persuading the ref to jump in early and then maidana will protest that he wasn't hurt.

Good point. Let's pray we don't get to see any more Calzaghe vs Manfredo fights.

[whiskey]

Amir Khan has been forced to defend his WBA light welterweight title against mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana or vacate the title. His trainer, Freddie Roach, favours the latter.

Khan won the belt by a unanimous points decision over Andreas Kotelnik last year and defended it in December with a devastating first round knockout of Dmitriy Salita.

The World Boxing Association are now forcing Khan to put the title on the line against hard-hitting Argentinean Maidana, but Roach feels pitting Khan against the man who has knocked out 26 opponents in 27 victories may be a step too far for the Bolton boxer.

“It's a business and it's about the right fights at the right time. There are some good fights out there for Amir,” Roach told The Sun.

"He can outbox Maidana but he's tough, a good puncher and you don't want to exchange with him too much."

The 26-year-old Maidana has only one loss on his record which came in a split decision against Khan victim Kotelnik in a failed attempt to take the title, but he is now looking to wrest it from the clutches of ‘King Khan’.

Khan, 23, has suffered several knockdowns in his career not to mention his first round knockout at the hands of Breidis Prescott. This is the main concern for Team Khan who don’t want to throw their protégé in the ring again with another powerhouse like Maidana.

Should he vacate the title Khan would have to face some tough opponents to become world champion in his division again. The main title holders are unbeaten fighters Devon Alexander (19-0 12 KOs) and Timothy Bradley (25-0 11 KOs), Juan Urango (22-2 17 KOs) and stable mate and boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2 38 KOs). Maybe Maidana isn’t such a bad option after all.

[boxerbob]

if khan gives up the title then he should just retire , the most protected fighter ever to come out of the uk

[MightyWarrior]

If I were in Roach's place I'd be looking to avoid Maidana too, as one good punch from this guy could derail all the hard work. Khan can be a huge attraction, with the right matches, and unlucky for him, his mandatory looks a huge risk.

Really embarrassing for Khan though, Roach has got it badly wrong to admit it to the papers like that, he should've put it another way, with the usual "want bigger fights" line etc

[damianhucker1]

i understand roach being concerned but whos he gonna fight thats a credible opponent instead , theres no easy fights up their in the realms of champions , i bet malignaggi is about the easiest kahn got get away with but if did that and vacated he would in my opinion be committing career suicide cos it would be a blatant ducking plus he could actually get beat by malinaggi , as i dont think that would be as big an upset as its made out to be

[slapbangwhallop]

If I were in Roach's place I'd be looking to avoid Maidana too, as one good punch from this guy could derail all the hard work. Khan can be a huge attraction, with the right matches, and unlucky for him, his mandatory looks a huge risk.

Really embarrassing for Khan though, Roach has got it badly wrong to admit it to the papers like that, he should've put it another way, with the usual "want bigger fights" line etc

Dunne didnt vacate his version of the WBA strap despite knowing what was infront of him. I have a lot more respect for Dunne stepping up.

[Shirow]

I've often thought Roach is a bit too straight talking for his own/his team's good.

Khan is good enough now to fight at world class (not elite though) but probably not tough enough but that's just too bad he's a world champ now. If he has to beat Maidana the way he beat Kotelnik by fast flurries, loads of movement and the new Roach's defence so be it but he takes a huge hit to his credibility if he vacates to avoid a powerpunching but less talented opponent.

[ALI]

Really embarrassing for Khan though, Roach has got it badly wrong to admit it to the papers like that

Agreed, i usually like Roach's honest approach, but he could have spared Khan this sort of embarressment. Also, hearing that is bound to affect Khan's confidence.

[MightyWarrior]

Yes, he seems to have got carried away with his straight talking rep. I wouldn't be happy at all if I were Khan and his backers, most trainers would get major sh** for that, but Freddie has a god like status now, so will get away with it.

[whiskey]

Is Khan the most protected fighter the UK has ever seen?

[MightyWarrior]

Is Khan the most protected fighter the UK has ever seen?

BRUNO

[jamesmcdonnell]

Just shows what an absolute mockery these title belts have become, when a trainer advocates relinquishing the title rather than face a mandatory challenger.

Sure, risk reward and all that, but what's the point picking up a belt against a very soft challenger if you or your trainer hasn't got the bottle to defend it - oh yes, silly me, it's to convince the paying public you are world class and get more TV money.

Sure Maidana is tough, can punch etc, but surely that's the point, for once we have a world title mandatory who isn't a sacrificial lamb, and Roach is cacking it.

I really do despair sometimes.

[stujones]

Is Khan the most protected fighter the UK has ever seen?

BRUNO

Herbie Hide, for a British and 2 time world champion his record is rediculous.

[stujones]

Just shows what an absolute mockery these title belts have become, when a trainer advocates relinquishing the title rather than face a mandatory challenger.

Sure, risk reward and all that, but what's the point picking up a belt against a very soft challenger if you or your trainer hasn't got the bottle to defend it - oh yes, silly me, it's to convince the paying public you are world class and get more TV money.

Sure Maidana is tough, can punch etc, but surely that's the point, for once we have a world title mandatory who isn't a sacrificial lamb, and Roach is cacking it.

I really do despair sometimes.

Khan picked the belt against a champion.

I do agree with the rest of your post - although in Khan's case.... there is a very lucrative fight around the corner - one which will have the fans and critics salavating..... Maidana is a bannana skin and Hatton will not be around for another career re-build.

It needs to happen, and it needs to happen now.

[MightyWarrior]

Just shows what an absolute mockery these title belts have become, when a trainer advocates relinquishing the title rather than face a mandatory challenger.

Sure, risk reward and all that, but what's the point picking up a belt against a very soft challenger if you or your trainer hasn't got the bottle to defend it - oh yes, silly me, it's to convince the paying public you are world class and get more TV money.

Sure Maidana is tough, can punch etc, but surely that's the point, for once we have a world title mandatory who isn't a sacrificial lamb, and Roach is cacking it.

I really do despair sometimes.

All true James, but we like to keep these type of truths unsaid in boxing, like the way naz dodged Marquez, and McCallum being ducked in the 80's

[MightyWarrior]

Khan picked the belt against a champion.

I do agree with the rest of your post - although in Khan's case.... there is a very lucrative fight around the corner - one which will have the fans and critics salavating..... Maidana is a bannana skin and Hatton will not be around for another career re-build.

It needs to happen, and it needs to happen now.

Yep, if they'd just vacated and made a Mega fight with Hatton, no one would have blinked an eye. Easy to make as well, huge crowd and viewing figures, and Hatton will fancy it too.

[hitman_hatton1]

january 18th is purse bids day according to steve bunce.

bunce reckons warren will definitely win em.

he also reckons the fight will take place later in the year.

maybe warren will pay maidana some step aside money for now.

a bigger name lined up perhaps.

[tonyevs]

or could roach have another reason for not wanting to make the fight? .. isn`t maidana under goldenboy promotions now? isn`t manny pacman taking some action against goldenboy with the whole `drug test` thing?

[leforge]

Khan a joke! Khan last box office figures I bet were under 30,000.

[mickey1975]

Khan a joke! Khan last box office figures I bet were under 30,000.

I bet Foch's were too but no-one called him a joke...
Can we wait until Khan actually ducks Maidana before he crucifying him?I think the fight will happen and Khan will beat him quite easily.Amir is a belt holder now and has a lot better fighters than Maidana to get through if he wants to be considered a true champ.You would think Maidana was Pacquiao the way some are going on.And to think he lost to Kotelnik who must be absolute s hit to have been shutout against Khan....

[whiskey]

Khan a joke! Khan last box office figures I bet were under 30,000.

I bet Foch's were too but no-one called him a joke...
Can we wait until Khan actually ducks Maidana before he crucifying him?I think the fight will happen and Khan will beat him quite easily.Amir is a belt holder now and has a lot better fighters than Maidana to get through if he wants to be considered a true champ.You would think Maidana was Pacquiao the way some are going on.And to think he lost to Kotelnik who must be absolute s hit to have been shutout against Khan....

Mickey you aint seen the fight between Kotelinik vs Maidana.

Kotelinik got a stinking gift as the challenger banged him up badly and pushed him on the back foot all night.

Lets not forget he stopped Ortiz too.

His last fight HERE against William Gonzalez in November

Khan picked the belt against a champion.

I do agree with the rest of your post - although in Khan's case.... there is a very lucrative fight around the corner - one which will have the fans and critics salavating..... Maidana is a bannana skin and Hatton will not be around for another career re-build.

It needs to happen, and it needs to happen now.

Agreed.

Kudos if they have a 'big American known name' lined up to introduce him to the USA......but if it's a fat, past his best Morales i will be ashamed.

Zab Judah, Kendall Holt, Ricardo Torres are all waay to risky.

If anyone it would be Nate Campbell, Juan Diaz or Paulie Malignaggi. Campbell may be too risky, Diaz has gone right off the boil and Malignaggi cant punch the froth off a cappuccino.

Therefore i reckon it's one of the last two names, if not maidana is too risky and unknown.