Recalling a classic: Amir Khan versus Marcos Maidana – Boxing
Amir Khan versus Marcos Maidana, which took place on December 11, 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, was one of the most exciting fights of 2010 and as a result of which Boxing Writers Association of America awarded it as ‘Fight
of the Year’.
This bout was for Khan’s World Boxing Association Light Welterweight title, which he successfully defended by securing a unanimous point’s decision over his Argentinean opponent, Maidana, who at that time was the interim titlist. However, there were a lot
of ups and downs in the fight which at time scared the British fans.
Amir Khan, who is more commonly known as King Khan, entered the ring as a 4-to-1 favourite whereas Maidana on the other hand was a 3-to-1 outsider yet there was a time when it looked as if Khan has lost the fight.
It was a fully packed arena but Khan received a lot noisy reception than Maidana when the two entered the ring.
Maidana, who at that time held a record of winning 29 of his 30 professional fights, with 27 of his wins coming by the way of a knockout, was the first one who landed two right punches in the opening round while Khan was coming on to him. However, Khan stayed
on his feats and started fighting according to the game plan and it was only a matter of time when the Bolton man was seen back in the driving seat. Moreover, Khan unleashed a vicious right-hand to Maidana’s body in the closing seconds of the first round which
forced Maidana to crash down on the canvas.
Though Maidana showed courage and stood up, he was lucky Khan didn’t get much time and the bell saved him. It was said by the commentators as ‘one of the most exciting first round seen in many years’.
Khan, who at that time carried a record of winning 23 of his 24 professional fights, with 17 of his wins coming by the way of a knockout, dominated most of the rounds afterwards until in the 10th round Maidana somehow found a way and landed
a dazzling hand punch on Khan’s chin.
It was one of the scariest moments for Khan’s fans, as the Brit was totally staggered by his opponent’s vicious right hand. It almost looked as if Maidana will now knockout Khan since there was more than a minute remaining in the bell. Commentators were
phrasing Khan by saying a super-human but they and everyone in the crowd was left flabbergasted when they saw Khan on the verge of defeat when he almost had won.
Yet Khan, who was mostly criticised for having a glass jaw, showed a great chin to survive the round but he took a terrible beating which left nothing in his legs. He hardly got back to his corner when the bell rang.
Khan afterwards was only seen avoiding Maidana’s punches as he was still hurt and he knew even if he will lose the round, he will win the fight.
Maidana tried his best, threw his best shot but Khan never went down and showed great resilience. Khan also fired back at the end of the twelfth round and in the middle of 11th round.
The ringside commentators rated the fight as a ‘fight of the last many years’.
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