'This fight will shut a lot of critics up,' says Amir Khan

Bolton's WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan (23-1) says his 11th December defence against big hitting Argentinian Marcos Maidana (29-1) will take him "to the next level".  

Khan tops the bill at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and aims to make a big impression on his debut night in the city which has effectively become the home of the superfight.

"I'll hit move hit the angles and just be too sharp for him; it's speed v power this fight and I've got the speed," he told Ringside's Ed Robinson.

"I am sure with my footwork I can take him down.  I never go into a fight thinking I am going to knock my opponent out but this fight I think it will be a late stoppage or maybe a unanimous decision.

Khan (above left, courtesy Golden Boy Promotions) took a lot of flak for avoiding the reputed puncher - and knows it too. 

"It'll be a tough fight, don't get me wrong - but it's a fight everyone wants to see.  It's a big fight.  It's my Vegas debut, I'm fighting a guy who has had 30 fights, knocked 27 out, he's a big puncher - this fight will shut a lot of critics up.

"People thought I was avoiding him but the reason that fight didn't happen was financially it didn't make sense.

"We know he's a dangerous opponent and I really wanted to make sure it made sense financially - and at this time it does.

"Marcos Maidana is a big name in America and I think he's the most dangerous fighter in this division. It's either me or him."

Such is the confidence of Twitter-loving 'King Khan' that he's planning his road map to the very top of the sport.

"You have got the likes of Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander who are fighting each other in January, the winner of me and Maidana will face the winner of that," he said. "It makes sense to see who number one in the division and by next summer I think we will.

"Then my aim is to go up to 147lbs and fight the best at that weight - and you've got the likes of Floyd Mayweather in that division, Manny Pacquiao, some huge names, Sugar Shane Mosley. It's exciting times.

"This fight's going to take me to the next level, definitely. A lot of people say Amir avoids punchers but I am taking on the biggest puncher in the light-welterweight division. This fight will answer a lot of questions."

Fair play to Khan for taking on a man who can obviously bang.  But lest we forget - Maidana's sole defeat was a narrow points loss to Andriy Kotelnik - who Khan basically stood on his head to win the title in July 2009.  Khan's natural speed, coupled with the significant improvements he's made under Freddie Roach's tutelage should win the day.  But with his fragile chin, there's always the chance that one shot can change everything.