Amir Khan: Alexander is a More Dangerous Fight Now

By Rick Reeno

Amir Khan (29-3, 19KOs) was first scheduled to face Devon Alexander (26-2, 14KOs) a year ago. Back then, Alexander held the IBF's welterweight title. When Khan fell out of the fight, the British star was replaced by Shawn Porter who scored an upset decision win over Alexander.

Khan intentionally withdrew, because the fighter was made to believe that he was receiving the opportunity to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May of this year. That didn't happen. Mayweather declined to face Khan and instead selected Marcos Maidana. Khan fought on the undercard of the May show, making his welterweight debut with an impressive win over former champion Luis Collazo.

Alexander bounced back from the loss to Porter, by winning a dominating ten round decision in June over tough veteran Jesus Soto Karass at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

This coming Saturday, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Khan and Alexander will finally step in the ring to trade punches.

Because Alexander is hungry to redeem his credibility after losing to Porter, Khan believes he is more dangerous than he was a year ago.

"I think it's more dangerous now. And the reason why, is because Alexander has no title and he knows that this fight can take him to a super fight. Also, when he was world champion like a year ago when the fight was going to happen between us - you know when you're always winning fights, and I've been in that same position....when you're always winning fights you sometimes take your foot off the pedal. You start thinking 'this is easy, I'm always going to win.' You look behind you and think you're training hard but you're really not that focused as you should be," Khan explained.

"So now he's not a champion. That thought is there 'that I cannot make any mistakes because I want to be back at the top.' We're both in a very similar position where we need to win to go to the next level. I'm not taking this fight lightly. This is a massive fight for me."