Around the Net: Amir Khan vs Marcos Maidana Pre-Fight Edition

It's been a little over two years since Amir Khan's stunning opening round KO loss to unheralded Colombian puncher Bredis Prescott.  Since then, the lightning fast 2004 Olympian has bounced back to win five in row and establish his credentials as one of the sport's brightest talents.

An impressive recovery, though noticeably missing from the Khan's recent conquests is the type of puncher that can test just how far Khan has truly progressed.  Is he really an elite talent capable of soon being the man at 140lbs?  Or will the Khan's chin hold him back from future greatness?

Enter Saturday night's opponent, Marcos Maidana.  While the Argentinean brawler has his limitations, punching power isn't one of them.  Maidana can crack, and his relentness nature inside the ropes should test Khan's resolve in a way that the likes of Paulie Malignaggi or Andriy Kotelnik weren't able to.

Will Khan emerge unscathed as the winner, or even turn in the kind of star making performance many believe he's capable of?  Or can Maidana upset the flashy Brit's future plans with one wild right hand?

We'll find out Saturday night.  For now let's take a quick look around the net at some pre-fight buzz for the junior-welterweight clash...

Bad Left Hook - TV and Internet Fight Schedule - Weekend of December 11

Khan-Maidana is a study in contrasts. Maidana might be the biggest pound for pound puncher in the world right now. Khan almost certainly has the worst chin for any elite level fighter out there. Khan might be the fastest fighter in the world right now, while Maidana's speed is middling at best. I doubt either Scott or I can tell you what you don't already know - Khan has way too much class for Maidana, but Maidana has way too much power for Khan. The result of this fight is 100% dependent on whether Maidana can catch up with Khan and sufficiently tag him on the chin to knock him out.

Boxing Scene - Fighting Words - Chin it to win it: Overcoming the Knockout

As with Klitschko, and as every top fighter should do, Khan has worked to use his advantages to mask his disadvantages. In his case, Khan is no longer opening himself up by trying to overwhelm and overpower his opponents, but rather using his speed to land his own shots while avoiding incoming punches.

Under the tutelage of trainer Freddie Roach, Khan is learning how to box better.

Now, as Klitschko did over time, Khan must also learn to conquer his demons. He will face Marcos Maidana this Saturday. As with the Prescott fight, Khan is facing a power puncher who will seek to shatter Khan’s chin first, his confidence second, his chances last.

The Independent - Old master Roach takes Khan back to school

"He looked a bit apprehensive but I could see some desire in his eyes and I knew that the defeat was his fault and had nothing to do with his opponent," claimed Roach, who is both successful and savage in his blunt appraisal of a fighter's ambitions and desires. On day two of Khan's life in the LA gym, Roach was perched on his familiar spot on the ring watching Pacquiao slowly ruin fighter after fighter when he suddenly called for Khan to get ready. There was, so the story goes, an unusual silence in the filthy fighting shrine.

"Some people came up and asked me if I knew what I was doing," added Roach. "It's my gym, it's my way. I wanted to see how much damage had been done. I wanted to see what Amir had left and I knew Manny would show me."

ESPN.co.uk - Lightning-quick light-heavyweight champion Amir Khan vows to outfox Marcos Maidana

"Speed always kills you know, I am sure my speed is going to take away his power," Khan told Sky Sports News. "He is a puncher but he is quite slow on his feet, but I am sure my speed will take that big right hand he has got away from him. Keep away from that and I think in the late rounds start putting my power into it and stop him."

Boxing Scene - Marcos Maidana Admits Concerns About "Khan's Speed"

"Training can be a bit boring, there are a lot of routines, but this is the only way to prepare properly. We have worked long and hard, both in the morning, and with physical preparations in the evenings in the boxing gym. I've wanted to get this fight for a long time and you start to get a little anxious. I am well prepared and confident," Maidana said.

"The sparring this time has been very good, with young fighters, who are strong and very fast. We always kept in mind that Khan is a fast fighter. I think he'll go running around the ring and spend most of his time trying to use the jab. And I will cut off the ring and try to work at mid-range and from a short distance, and throwing a lot of punches. I'm going to leave everything in the ring because I want to make the sport of boxing continue to grow in Argentina.

Daily Mail - Amir Khan is ready for Marcos Maidana showdown thanks to the A-Team

Duck Maidana? Khan would not think twice about facing Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

Of the American pretender to Pacquiao's pound- for-pound throne, Khan said: 'It would be a 50-50 fight between him and me at the moment. Assuming I beat Maidana and go on to unify this title by doing the same to the winner of Bradley and Devonshire, I will be ready to move up to welterweight and feel confident of beating Floyd.'

Roach confirmed: 'I used to have one fighter who will beat Mayweather if they ever get it on. Now I've got two. I've never been as great a fan of Floyd as many people seem to be and I know for sure that he has a problem against speed. Manny is way too quick for him.

'So is Amir and I would have no fear for him fighting Mayweather now.'