By Jake Donovan

It was right around this time last year—in a fact, a year ago this past Sunday—when Amir Khan watched from afar as then-welterweight titlist Devon Alexander was dethroned by Shawn Porter.

Khan was the originally scheduled challenger for Alexander that night in Brooklyn, but withdrew from the bout under the belief that he was next in line for a massive payday versus Floyd Mayweather.

When all was said and done, Khan was denied – and perhaps even duped – as Mayweather went on to face Marcos Maidana in May for the first of what became a two-fight series. Khan was granted a consolation prize, strategically placed in the evening’s chief support slot as he scored a wide points win over Luis Collazo.

Fast forward to December, where Khan and Alexander are once again scheduled to meet. The fight will actually happen this time, as both fighters have wrapped up training camp in anticipation of the December 13 showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

There is no major title at stake for their Showtime-televised headliner. However, there is arguably far more on the line than was the case a year ago; the marketing strategy behind the event is that the winner becomes the a strong candidate to land a coveted showdown with Mayweather next May.

The thought of a career-high payday looming ahead is virtually possible to ignore, but Khan knows better than to once again make it his primary focus.

“I’m not looking past this fight. I’ve made that mistake in the past before,” admits Khan (29-3, 19KOs), the former 140 lb. titlist who comes in riding a three-fight win streak. “I went into fights I should have won. I’m still young, I’m 28 today and still learning. I’m a young fighter and still hungry. I just have to stay hungry and be patient - that’s the main thing. Whoever they put in front of me, that’s who I have to stay focused on.”

Despite the lack of a notable belt at stake, both Khan and Alexander believe this fight is bigger now than would have been the case a year ago. Even as a reigning titlist, Alexander was never thought of as a possible future opponent for Mayweather heading into his showdown with Porter last year.

While Khan was very much in the hunt until Mayweather decided otherwise, he believes that the hand he was dealt was ultimately a blessing in disguise.

“That’s life. It’s just one of them things,” Khan says of being led to believe he was next for Mayweather, only for fate to run its course. “Everything happens for a reason. It wasn’t meant to be my time. But I used it in a way, to my advantage. I worked on things I needed to get ready for 147. I am now very strong and on top of my game.”

Given their star power, a dream fight between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao—which was first seriously discussed more than five years ago—continues to linger on the minds of those who refuse to give up hope.

Ever the realist, Khan knows a win this Saturday will result in his serving as a more realistic candidate, in the event that Mayweather chooses to stick around at welterweight. But the challenge in front of him is enough reason to remain focused on December 13, even if it’s just as challenging to not think about what a win leads to in his near future.

To that, he provides his own motivation to guard against a wandering eye.

“It’s going to be tough. I made this mistake before and I want to stay focused,” insists Khan. “I have a tough kid in front of me. I want to win, and win in good fashion. I want people to demand the fight. I just don’t want the fight to happen. I want to look so good that everyone says that Floyd Mayweather has to fight me.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox