Maglinaggi: Khan is ducking Maidana

[Tam Seddon]

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.

I agree with what your saying because long term I would like to see Khan fight PM. But my point is that Maidana can ONLY punch and this is a fight that Khan needs to get involved in to show that hes improving as a fighter. It's not that I am disagreeing with a fight with PM, I just believe that Khan still has a question mark against fighters with power. After Prescott put the beat down on Khan I bet a lot of people thought he would be a top man, but he wasnt he was just an ordinary fighter who can bang.

For Khan Maidana does pose a threat because he has the power and an agressive style. Maidana IMO poses a lot more of a threat to Khan than PM. So back to my original point that Khan needs to fight a guy of Maidana's style to prove a lot to the fans regarding his ability to fight a guy with power. This is why if Khan doesnt fight him there isnt really an excuse. Maidana is the mandatory for the fight and he has earned the right for the shot at the title. Khan needs to get his act together because he has the ability to beat Madiana and he knows it. This is why it's annoying that hes not fighting him.