By Jhonny Gonzalez

The word coming out of Panama details the possibility of WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan receiving the sanctioning organization's status of "super champion." The "super champion" status would provide Khan with additional time before he's obligated to make another mandatory defense.

Khan made his last mandatory defense on December 11 against interim-champion Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas. The British boxer won a twelve round unanimous decision. Maidana did well enough in the loss that the WBA is going to place him in the number 1 position in the top ten rankings. Victor Ortiz, who recently fought to a draw with Lamont Peterson, will be dropped down to number 2.

If Khan receives the "super champion" status, the "regular" title will become vacant and the two highest ranked available contenders will fight for that vacant belt. It would set up a rematch between Maidana and Ortiz. The puncher from Argentina stopped Ortiz in six rounds in 2009. If either boxer passes on fighting for the vacant belt, then the WBA would go down the line to the next available contender.