When Amir Khan shed his British promoter Frank Warren to sign with Los Angeles based Golden Boy Promotions early this year it signaled the young welterweights desire to become a boxing star in the United States.
Following a one-sided defeat of American Paulie Malignaggi in New York City last month, recent news of Khan’s planned inactivity until the end of the year and possible opposition do little to believe stardom is around the corner.
It has been announced by Golden Boy Promotions that Khan will return to the ring in November and against the winner of Juan Diaz – Juan Manuel Marquez, Joel Casamayor, or Marcos Maidana.
Building a boxing icon from scratch here in the States, demands a high level of in the ring activity. Scheduling a fighter to appear once or twice a year is no way to establish them as a recognizable boxing name.
Khan maybe somewhat well-known in the United Kingdom, but after one appearance on HBO’s televised boxing series against Malignaggi, he is still a virtual unknown in the United States.
If Golden Boy and HBO wanted a better plan to promote and build Khan, I would suggest an August HBO Boxing After Dark appearance between Khan and Breidis Prescott. Khan’s only loss was a one-round knock-out at the hands of Prescott in 2008. Since that bump in Khan’s career, Prescott has lost any momentum from his destruction of Khan and lost two of his last four fights.
Maybe not a fight true boxing buffs are hunting for, but the bout could be touted as a revenge bout, keep Khan in the spotlight before November, and give the young Brit’ a soft-touch while fending off in-activity.
Of the names being tossed around by Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, Maidana is the only true test to Khan. That being said, do not be surprised if Khan locks horns with a 37 year old Marquez, if the veteran Mexican is successful against Juan Diaz July 31.
Marquez maybe slipping, but among Casamayor, Diaz, and Maidana, Juan Manuel has the biggest star and drawing power. The man who took Manny Pacquiao to the brink of defeat and back, twice, will garner more eyes to Khan than the other three potential opponents.
Unfortunately, at his advanced age, and with the memory of Floyd Mayweather’s near shut-out of Marquez last year, Juan Manuel does little to add to Khan’s value as a star.
A fight with Maidana would be a good litmus test for Khan. The Argentinian is 26 years young, has a tremendous heart, and can test Khan’s still questionable chin. Maidana answers many of the questions surrounding the in the ring validity of Khan’s future stardom.
Khan has the ability, the promoter, the coach (Freddie Roach), niche demographic tie-in (Muslim) and personality (check out these tidbits from Khan) to become a boxing super nova, but he must remain active and face reasonable competition to explode.
