Amir Khan-Juan Manuel Marquez Could Happen On May 15th

by James Slater – It seems there is a very good chance WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan could fight Juan Manuel Marquez in his next fight, in what will be his U.S debut. According to Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer, in talking to ESPN.com, Khan Vs. Marquez is the fight that is currently being worked on. The date the hugely intriguing match-up is pencilled in for is May 15th, most likely at either Las Vegas or Houston, Texas and HBO would televise.

Originally, reports were put out that told us how Khan and his mandatory challenger (and interim WBA 140-pound champ) Marcos Maidana had “agreed to fight..” Taking this to mean the two would clash in the very7 near future, it seems we were wrong, and Maidana will instead have to continue to play the waiting game as far as getting Khan into the ring goes. Khan will have to fight the big-hitting Argentine soon, however, or else he will likely be stripped of his world title. Maybe the plan is for Khan to face the superb Mexican and then , if he’s victorious, square up with Maidana after that. But can Khan beat the man known as “Dinamita?”

Schaefer told ESPN.com that the prospective fight will definitely happen at 140-pounds, and that Marquez is quite happy about this, seeing as he “doesn’t want to fight at 135 anymore.” So, who wins?

Marquez, as we know, is coming off a comprehensive loss, but that was to pound-for-pound #2 Floyd Mayweather Junior; and up at welterweight at that (at least Floyd weighed-in at a single pound below the 147 limit). Just because Marquez lost to Mayweather, it’s no reason at all to think he will do likewise against Khan. In fact, some fans would probably feel Marquez should be listed as a slight favourite to beat the 23-year-old from Bolton, UK.

Then again, Marquez is 36 now, and Khan, like Mayweather, has blurring speed, especially of hand. Wanting a big and successful showcase in his U.S debut, Khan no doubt sees Marquez as a fighter he can handle due to the great advantages he holds over him in the speed and youth departments. Fans who want to see Khan test himself against Maidana, one of the sport’s hardest punchers, will possibly be disappointed if the fight Golden Boy are working on for May comes off; but it can’t be denied how Khan-Marquez is a damn good fight!

At this early stage, I’d have to pick the peaking Khan to win, more than likely via a fairly close decision.