Unconvincing Maidana remains on course for Khan meeting

Marcus Maidana remained on course for a possible December meeting with Amir Khan with a hard fought points victory over DeMarcus Corley to retain his WBA interm light-welterweight crown in Buenos Aires, Argentina last night.

The judges' scorecards returned verdicts of 115-112, 116-110 and 117-110 in Maidana's favour however the Argentinean power puncher faded down the stretch, and was reportedly wilting in the tenth after earlier flooring Corley in round seven.

The contest was fought on even terms early on but Maidana, 29-1 (27), sustained a cut to his right eye following a clash of heads in round three. The Argentinean regained his composure and gradually seized control, hurting the 36-year-old Corley, 37-14-1, in the sixth which left the American veteran holding on.

Corley's head still hadn't cleared at the start of the seventh and an overhand right from Maidana dropped Corley for a count of nine but the American hauled himself up and survived the session. Despite his best efforts, Maidana was unable to put Corley away and seemed to fade as the contest wore on.

Sustained pressure from Corley in round ten had Maidana looking uncomfortable and gasping for air and another burst from the American left Maidana under fire in his own corner in the eleventh. Both fighters gave their all in a more even final round but Maidana's earlier work was deemed sufficient to give him a clear victory on the scorecards.

It will be interesting to see whether WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan, who has being widely accused of ducking mandatory challenger Maidana, will be more tempted to oblige the powerful yet limited Argentinean following this display.