Maidana Targeted By Many For "Amir Khan" Opportunity
By Mark Vester
WBA interim-junior welterweight champion Marcos Maidana has a target on his back. Not because of his current status, but because of his current position to champion Amir Khan. Golden Boy Promotions is trying to put Maidana in the co-feature spot to the Lucian Bute-Librado Andrade rematch on November 28 on HBO. There is no official word if Maidana will get on the show. An issue with the overseas television may prevent him from fighting that night. That still hasn't stopped every junior welterweight from trying to get the fight.
Everyone from Kendall Holt, Nate Campbell, Steve Forbes, Anthony Peterson and even Devon Alexander want the fight. And it's not about the money. BoxingScene.com was told the money to fight Maidana [on that show] is not spectacular. The reward involved is great. The WBA's recent decision has created a heavy Maidana demand.
Khan defends his title against mandatory Dmitriy Salita in early December. The winner has to fight Maidana within 90-days. If someone knocks Maidana off for the interim-title, they would also secure the Khan-Salita winner in the process. HBO exposure and a guaranteed title shot is more than enough for most fighters to take short money. Alexander is the exception. He has the WBC title but a win over Maidana would raise his stature and also create a demand for a fight with Khan. Alexander knocked off one British fighter when he beat Junior Witter to win the title.
