Maglinaggi: Khan is ducking Maidana

[CFH]

Put the true people who know boxing IMO will know that if Khan beats Maidana would be more on an achievement than beating PM. I think Maidana because of his stlye would be more of a threat than PM.

I disagree with that. Maidana, while an exciting fighter, is largely unproven. Malignaggi has demonstrated that he is among the best 140lb'ers in the world and if not an elite fighter than he is just a step below. All fighting Maidana would prove is that a) Khan can take a punch or b) that he's become a good enough fighter to avoid getting hit by a relatively crude and unproven slugger. Beating Malignaggi would demonstrate that Khan had arrived as a legitimate fighter.

Disagree. I agree with Tam.

Khan has already arrived as a legitimate fighter. He is ranked in the top five at his weight class in almost every poll. He has beat Kotelnik and Salita with ease both of which are top twenty junior welterweights and are decent boxers. However, Khan hasn't proved he can beat a big puncher on the top level. In addition, vacating a belt to avoid fighting his mandatory fight reflects a lack of confidence and really is unchampion-like especially if Maidana is "relatively crude and unproven." Why not extend your reign as champion and face Paulie in a title fight after dispatching of a "relatively crude" Maidana?

You disagree that Maidana is not as big of a threat as Paulie?

I think it can be argued both ways to be honest. I'm a fan of Khan and Maidana, but all Maidana has is a punch and he's still relatively unproven. He might end up as a better fighter than Malignaggi, but he's hasn't demonstrated that yet. It wouldn't surprise me to see Khan completely outclass Maidana, but I would be surprised if he completely outclassed Malignaggi. I'd rather see Khan - Maidana, but I think Malignaggi is a better fighter.