Juan Manuel Marquez-Amir Khan could happen

by Scott Christ on Jan 20, 2010 4:23 PM EST in Boxing News Analysis

Juan Manuel Marquez could be fielding an offer to fight Amir Khan. (Photo by Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

Contrary to the reports that a deal for a fight between WBA junior welterweight titlist Amir Khan and interim beltholder Marcos Maidana had been reached, BoxingScene.com's Rick Reeno has been told that that is not the case. Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy says he's merely delayed the purse bid for a short time, hoping to figure out quickly what Golden Boy's first move promoting Khan will be.

In the meantime, Reeno also reports that there is an offer "on the table" for Khan to face reigning lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. Khan is a former lightweight himself, but surely this fight would be at 140 for Khan's title, if the WBA could be, erm, convinced to let Khan hang onto the belt instead of stripping him should he not fight Maidana. I'm sure something could be arranged.

Roach now says he advises Khan to not fight Maidana immediately because there's not enough money or "buzz" about the fight. I'd say that Khan-Maidana has plenty of buzz among the hardcore boxing fans, in part because Khan is now being painted as a coward due to the publicity of Roach telling Khan to not fight Maidana. Khan himself has not said he would avoid the bout.

I know a lot of people will see Marquez-Khan as a viable fight, somewhat because of Khan's dodgy chin, but I just don't see it. I realize this probably won't be a popular opinion.

Khan belongs at 140. Marquez does not belong over 135. Against Floyd Mayweather Jr. at 147, Marquez was brutally slow. Khan, like Mayweather, is a speed merchant, and he's actually taller than Floyd and employs his jab better than Mayweather does.

I know there's a decent chance that even blown up, Marquez can hurt or even stop Khan. JMM is a tough cookie and has a never-say-die attitude, but there's only so much he can do against a faster, younger, bigger man. If he tags him, sure, it could change the fight very fast, but I'm not convinced he can do any more with Khan than Andriy Kotelnik did.

I would certainly watch the fight and be interested to see if I'm totally wrong about it, because I'm a fan of both guys. But it's just my early gut feeling about that matchup.

Which fight would you rather see?

Poll

Which fight would you rather see?

Amir Khan v. Juan Manuel Marquez

202 votes

Amir Khan v. Marcos Maidana

216 votes

418 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Khan vs Maidana is the better fight.

But to be fair, it’d be very hard for Khan to turn down a fight with a star like Marquez.

by Falstaff on Jan 20, 2010 4:47 PM EST reply actions

I couldn’t blame him. It’s good business, and it’s not a bad fight.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Jan 20, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah i know what you mean about Marquez.He does look like 135 is his limit.I picked Maidana.

by Matt Mosley on Jan 20, 2010 4:51 PM EST reply actions

i picked maidana but a fight with jmm is a solid fight as well. as long as the maidana fight would still be on the horizon if khan were to beat jmm. i’d be pretty excited to see either matchup.

by boxzilla on Jan 20, 2010 5:11 PM EST reply actions

Khan v Marquez

I would honestly prefer to see this fight, at the moment. Marquez is a legend, and would be undoubtedly the best fighter that Khan has faced in his career so far, even at an age and weight a little north of his prime. It would certainly not be another Marco Antonio Barrera fight.

The fight would be a true event, in a way that facing Maidana can’t be, and would have significance beyond the hardcore boxing fraternity.

There’s a legitimate argument that Maidana is more of a challenge to Khan, and will make for a more exciting fight, but I think that he is being slightly overhyped for this, in large part due to the fragile nature of Khan’s chin. I can see the realistic possibility that the new look Khan is able to use his speed, his jab and his improved defence to keep Maidana’s power away from him, and turn it into a fairly boring fight.

by thirdslip on Jan 20, 2010 6:42 PM EST reply actions

I agree

and I would add that Marquez isn’t getting any younger, and this fight is better made now than later. Whereas Maidana, at 26, has a lot more mileage left to set up another fight down the line.

Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"

by Matt Miller on Jan 21, 2010 12:59 AM EST up reply actions

That said, I would favor Khan. But I think the Marquez fight makes more sense. Maidana later.

Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"

by Matt Miller on Jan 21, 2010 1:01 AM EST up reply actions

Con (or Kon) handlers are doing whatever they can to avoid facing a puncher. Marquez is not the puncher Maidana is

If a man ain't found something worth dying for. He ain't fit to live.

by Violent Demise on Jan 20, 2010 10:49 PM EST reply actions

FW did it for years

He was being protected from punchers from the minute he turned pro, and blatantly so. Warren hired Jorge Rubio to take Khan to the next level, Rubio convinced him that he was good enough to be able to beat a puncher, they took the Prescott fight, and that was that.

I’d rather see him take Maidana, but it may be too much too soon. You can make a good argument that Andriy Kotelnik was the second hardest puncher Khan has faced in his career. Someone like Marquez who can punch a little and is accurate, but probably won’t knock him out, might be a good step up. Then again, Marquez hits a hell of a lot harder than Willie Limond, who nearly knocked Khan out.

All of that said, outside of the puncher’s chance, I don’t think this would be competitive. Marquez is too old and too far over his best weight at this point. His reflexes aren’t there anymore. He struggled with Juan Diaz and Joel Casamayor, and while they’re good fighters, he shouldn’t have had problems with either one had he been able to stick with the style that worked best for him for most of his career. Khan is just way too big and too fast for Marquez.

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by Brickhaus on Jan 21, 2010 1:52 AM EST up reply actions

135 is Marquez’s limit, at 140, he’s slower and loses some of the “more crisper” nature of his punches. At this point in his career, at that weight, I think Khan walks over him pretty easy to a wide decision. Also, is it just me, or can Marquez not stop a left hand punch to save his life anymore.

by dervish686 on Jan 20, 2010 10:53 PM EST reply actions

i have zero desire to see a fat JMM again. stay at 135 JMM where you can actually entertain instead of pissing me off with your whining/horrible performances

The Dude Abides

by battle axe of doom on Jan 20, 2010 10:58 PM EST reply actions

I picked Maidana

from a boxing point of veiw i would much rather see kahn Maidana, however as a fan of British fighters, id rather see Kahn take a step up in Marquez, improve his Rep over in the states, then take on Maidana.

I believe kahn could out box Maidana if he takes that fight now, but why risk the massive step up and ruin the chance to crack America when you can gradulay build, he could have so many years at the top!

by Sweet science on Jan 21, 2010 8:00 AM EST reply actions

Khan-Malinaggi ??

Read one report that maybe Khan and Maidana on the same card facing different opponents to build the fight, for Khan perhaps Paulie M. no word on an opponent for Maidana. JMM should stay at 135, theres plenty of quality bouts to be made at lt. weight, and its a weight better suited for him. Wonder if we’ll ever see a V. Ortiz- Maidana rematch? Peace!!

by Iron Beach on Jan 21, 2010 8:41 AM EST reply actions