Earlier today at the IBA gym in Las Vegas, Nevada, WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan and interim titlist Marcos Maidana participated in an open media workout for their clash this Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay. The HBO-televised showcase is one of the most anticipated fights of the year and features an added attraction between contenders Victor Ortiz and Lamont Peterson, both also in the junior welterweight class.
While all four competitors are fine stylists in their own right, it is Khan who will be having the most eyes on him due to his tremendous star status in his native United Kingdom. Khan has also been gaining American fans by the minute as well because of his trainer Freddie Roach and their duties at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. Khan and the world renown trainer linked up after Amir?s crushing knockout loss to Breidis Prescott in September of 2008 and he has shown tremendous progression thus far.
<--- Slideshow: Images of Khan, Maidana, Ortiz and Peterson training
On this day Khan was surprisingly presented with a celebratory cake from his team, as it happens to mark his 24th birthday. Two years ago it would have been hard to imagine Khan in such a fruitful position as the Prescott defeat was the type of demoralizing blow that rare fighters come back from. It?s a credit to his temperament that Khan could establish himself as the man to beat at 140 pounds if he is able to deliver a convincing victory over the Argentinean.
Maidana is certainly no pushover and is the only man to stop Ortiz, who has since rebounded and reeled of four straight victories heading into his bout with Peterson. Maidana trained for the fight at Barry?s Boxing Center just off of the strip under the watchful eye of trainer Miguel Diaz. His brute power will keep him in the fight for as long as it lasts.
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Peterson is the underdog heading into his fight with Ortiz but he shouldn?t be overlooked, as his lack of power is often overcome by his polished ring savvy. Peterson lost in his only bid for a world title a year ago when he was dropped in the 3rd round before losing a clear decision to WBO champion Timothy Bradley. Peterson was able to keep his head high on that night, however, as he put forth a spirited effort and he is serious test for Ortiz.
Ortiz once seemed to be on his way towards championship status but his June 2009 TKO loss to Maidana sent him crashing back to reality. In that fight the two men would trade knockdowns and heavy leather before the California pug opted to call it a day when the going got tough in the sixth round. He is coming off of a September 18th blowout over former WBA champion Vivian Harris in which he was potent and deadly, dropping the Brooklyn fighter three times in the second round before registering a 3rd round stoppage.
If Ortiz wins impressively he will certainly be back in the title discussion in 2011.
