Amir Khan to face Maidana after all?

The BoxRec schedules have been updated with an interesting match - Amir Khan v Marcos Maidana on April 17th.

The bout, for Khan's WBA light-welterweight title, is supposedly set for Las Vegas on the undercard of the faintly ridiculous Bernard Hopkins v Roy Jones reheat.

Understandable rumours had been doing the rounds that Bolton's Khan would give up the title rather than face Argentina's mandatory contender and reputed puncher Maidana, who has 26 knockouts in 27 wins to one defeat (ironically a split decision points loss against Andriy Kotelnik whom Khan beat for the title).

Trainer Freddie Roach has been quoted as saying he believes Khan can outbox Maidana but wanted to fight Paulie Malignaggi first to help launch his charge in the States.  Any agreement reached with the Argentine could, of course, include an option for the champion to take on Malignaggi or indeed someone else before finally facing him.

Khan's route ahead has yet to be confirmed.