The MGM Grand in Las Vegas will have the eyes of the boxing world firmly on it as welterweights Amir Khan and Devon Alexander meet in a 12 round bout with big money repercussions. Right now at the books, Khan is favored at (-275), with the comeback on Alexander sitting at (+235). The over/under posted is at 8 1/2, with the OVER paying at (-425) and the UNDER at (+340). The fight is getting a ton of attention because with a win, Amir Khan is expected to be the next opponent for Floyd Mayweather Jr. The word in some boxing circles is that Floyd will fight Khan in May and then close out the year with the much-talked about Manny Pacquaio fight. It’s Khan’s ability to draw a wide public that makes him a desirable opponent for Mayweather, and those two fights in 2015 are probably the best route for ‘Money’ Mayweather to make the most bank. But Khan has to win first, and Alexander is a tough customer. Alexander (26-2) is a former World Champion, and his two losses come to Timothy Bradey and Shawn Porter, no slouches. Alexander has won half his fights by KO, so though he can punch, he is not considered a lethal puncher. And in this fight, that is what he is going to need to do, is land a big punch. Khan is (29-3), and in two of the three losses he has been rattled with a punch that throws Khan’s whole game out the window. That is going to be the problem for Alexander, landing that punch. The line favors Khan because the former Olympic Silver medalist is a tremendously high-skill boxer with great hand speed and movement. The over/under lines indicate a beleief that the fight will likely go the distance, and Khan is favored because his skill level is going to be the difference. Though Alexander is good, Khan is a little more refined in the finer points and should come out on top. Unless of course, Alexander lands the punch that hurts Khan. Then, history has shown, that Khan is really poor at hiding that he is hurt, as his legs go all stiff and his movements become awkward. If Alexander can get to Khan, he may have an early ticket out. If not, he will likely get outboxed and lose on the cards. Alexander is really in the role of a spoiler. Even with a big win, it is unlikely that he would get the Mayweather fight because of how much clout he brings to the table. Khan needs to win, and he wants to put on a spectacular showing so that the public calls for him to fight Mayweather, but at the end of the day Khan just has to look good and credible in the fight and he gets Mayweather. The fact is that Mayweather-Khan could very well happen in the United Kingdom in a stadium, as Mayweather looks to go out in style with a fight on the road that he should win, and then the final date with Pacquiao. With a win, Alexander will definitely and righteously call for the Mayweather fight, but he won’t get it. The rest of the card is crowded with big names such as Victor Ortiz, Abner Mares, Jermel Charlo and Beibut Shumenov but all of them are in showcase fights with matchups that the have the lines at the books all over four figures. Charlo is (19-0) and a win will yield an IBF title shot, and the other men are all former world champions who are looking to bounce back from defeats.
