A Quality Amir Khan Interview!

After accusations of fiscal lowballing (don't type that one into Google), ducking and claim and counter claim the fight between WBA light-welterweight title-holder Amir Khan and Interim WBA incumbent Marcos Rene Madiana is looming into view. The two men meet at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas on December 11th in a contest that has already settled a number of questions.

Had Khan tried to wriggle away from the fight due to his fear of Maidana? Obviously not, that one can be scotched. Did Maidana have unrealistic financial expectations going into negotiations? Well, he and Khan made this fight by agreeing financial terms so Rene obviously got what he wanted, or least a good chunk of what he wanted – Khan is said to be on $1.5 million and Maidana $550,000 plus a bonus should he prevail along with the promise of a unification against the winner of Tim Bradley and Devon Alexander's January showdown. The answer to these out-of-the-ring quibbles came when the contest was announced in late-September.

So ended months of politics, mud-slinging and online gnashing of teeth, both teams went to work and a large part of the criticism of Amir Khan, that he was afraid to take on a bona fide puncher such as Maidana, disappeared, or at least appeared in a new form, 'He's only fighting him because he had to'. The only real questions remaining relate to the most important aspect of this saga, the fight itself, and Khan has long-believed that Maidana is the perfect foil for his developing talent.

Maidana played his part well during negotiations, taking his concerns public when he felt he was being offered a paltry return before coming back to the table, with the talks taking place against the backdrop of an obvious truth – Maidana is the mandatory challenger so could not be denied. It is a fight that was always going to happen, the huge swell of talk by both sets of fans an exercise in futility, you all could have gone for an extended sleep and woken to news that this fight was on.

Khan believes that Marcos's insistence that he was swerving the showdown have been shown to be false and will be proven to be laughable on the night.

Blasted Khan.

Indeed, Khan thinks that Maidana's entire focus rests on taking the title away from Khan with a huge single shot; the 27-year-old Argentine recently admitted that he has only one goal, to wipe Khan out with, 'Just one punch'. Khan hopes this is not just a ruse, he plans to use Rene's own punch power against the challenger.

Khan's chin has been called into question during his career; although it has held up well at 140lb, the boxer's beard was ruffled by Willie Limond, Michael Gomez and Breidis Prescott when fighting at 135lb. Khan was often the architect of his own weals and woe, electing to stand and fight when caught earlier in his career rather than using his nous. Amir feels that his increased ring intelligence is now one of his chief assets.

He said when reminded of the Limond and Prescott fights,

 

Should the plan work, Khan faces the prospect of a fight against either Bradley or Alexander, with the WBA boss convinced that Bradley will emerge from that battle holding the WBC and WBO titles. Khan points to Alexander's recent struggle with Andriy Kotelnik, claiming that the contest showed people how well he performed when winning the WBA title from the Ukrainian and, conversely, that Alexander, who was justifiably praised to the rafters after stopping Juan Urango in March, is beatable.

Insisted Khan.

Long-term plans focus on maintaining a title-winning run, albeit up in weight; Khan is convinced that he can unify the 140lb division before chancing his arm at 147lb, with the possibility of a showdown against Floyd Mayweather a realisable dream should Khan attain and maintain across the divisions.

Revealed Khan.

Khan's 2004 Olympic Silver medal win helped him pave his way into the pro ranks. Frank Warren brought over Cuban legend Mario Kindelan, Khan's conqueror in the Olympic final, over to the UK for a high-profile amateur bout at the Bolton Arena in May 2005. Khan won that one on points and turned over shortly afterwards, things have moved apace for the prospect.

Mused Khan.

Inevitably, Khan will receive a bit of criticism should he win the fight and win it well; Maidana, 29-1 (27), will be written off as a 1-D swinger, the focus will move onto Bradley; the title-holder, 23-1 (17), understands the nature of the sport and can only strive to continue racking up the Ws needed to quell the swell of online criticism.

Sighed Khan, who is in good company, Floyd and Manny, both outstanding fighters, also attract a fair amount of stick.

Marvelled Khan.

As for the fight itself, the Lancastrian feels that both men will serve up something to remember under the Las Vegas lights, with Khan especially eager to bring his A-game to 'The City of Sin'.

Enthused Khan when asked if he is looking forward to the Vegas experience.

 

Bump.