By James Slater – More from This week’s official Amir Khan-Marcos Maidana press conference in London. Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy, spoke with Steve Bunce in London, and he gave his opinion on what the Maidana fight means for the reigning WBA 140-pound champion, and what a win for Khan will ultimately lead to.
“This [fight Vs. Maidana] is clearly the most dangerous out there for Amir Khan,” Schaefer said on BBC radio. “[Devon] Alexander and [Tim] Bradley are both very skilled fighters, but no-one has the punch Maidana has. Marcos Maidana is without doubt the most dangerous opponent out there in the 140-pound division..
“There was no real choice with taking this fight, as he [Maidana[ is the mandatory [for Khan]. It was either fight him or be stripped of the belt. And what great champion wants to lose his belt outside of the ring by being stripped?”
So we know why the December 11th fight was signed – Khan, it must also be said, claims he has wanted the fight for some time, and that now he has it he is looking forward to the win that will “shut up everyone once and for all,” and “show everyone who the number-one in the [140-pound] division is” – and Schaefer went on to say what the plans are for a victorious Khan.
“The plan as it’s set up, is for Amir, if he wins, to then fight the winner out of Alexander and Bradley, then have another fight before Ramadam and then another in the winter time,” Schaefer revealed. “Ideally, one of these fights will take place in the U.K. Then, if all goes to plan, my recommendation, and I have said this to Amir, is for him to then fight Floyd Mayweather.”
It goes without saying that these plans for 23-year-old Khan are big plans indeed. But, as Schaefer himself admitted, Maidana is one man who will have something to say about such lofty plans, and he is also a fighter who may well disrupt these plans.
Will Khan really be ready to fight again as soon as March, even if he defeats Maidana? Can Khan go in there with the winner of the sensational match-up that is Bradley and Alexander and expect to win? Will Khan ever actually land a mega-fight with “Money” Mayweather?
It’s all well and good to have great plans for your fighter, but shouldn’t Khan, along with his team and his promoters, be looking no further than the lethal fists of the man from Argentina right now, and not peering ahead towards potential super-fights? A possible clash with either Bradley or Alexander (both unbeaten and sensationally talented fighters) is one thing, but a fight with Floyd Mayweather, the best welterweight in the world?
For one thing, we don’t even know if Floyd will be a free man, able to fight against anyone, next year. For another thing, what would Mayweather gain from a fight against a 140-pound champion moving up? Sure, “Money” has boxed lighter-weight guys who were moving up before, but with a sought-after classic against Manny Pacquiao out there, why would he even look in Khan’s direction?
Maybe – and it’s a big maybe – if Khan CAN beat Maidana and then the winner of the still-to-be-finalised Bradley-Alexander fight, he will land the kind of super fight Schaefer talked about this week. But can you guys honestly see it: Floyd Mayweather Junior Vs. Amir Khan?
I can’t. I feel Maidana will shock Khan on Dec. 11th!