By Phil D. Jay

WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion Amir Khan believes 2010 ‘Fight of the year’ opponent Marcos Maidana is fortunate that Robert Guerrero is unable to move forward with their August 27th fight date. Guerrero withdrew on Thursday with a left shoulder injury.

The WBN pound for pound number seven is adamant that the Californian would have been a major obstacle for his former foe to overcome and may have claimed Maidana's WBA ‘regular’ title, which was formerly held by the now unified belt holder.

The 24 year-old was berated by Maidana for a remark about Guerrero being paid out of the fight by 'Chino' in a bid to avoid him, but ‘King’ Khan has since revealed to WBN that he holds the three-weight world champion in high regard.

“I think it would have been a good fight and it’s a shame it’s off,” Khan exclusively told World Boxing News.

“It could be true that Guerrero is injured because he is a warrior and wouldn’t back out.

“Maidana is beatable and Guerrero is a good boxer who would have made him look silly at times.”

Maidana, 28, had hoped to gain a return fight against Khan since losing a tight points decision in December last year and had the opportunity to claim the Bolton fighters’ old title until the bout collapsed, which Khan believes may be a blessing in disguise for the Argentinian.

“Maidana is lucky. I am the only guy who is fighting the best in the division and I have already beaten him by unanimous decision.

“That is why I am the number one in the division,” stated the double title-holder.

Phil D. Jay covers the boxing scene for worldboxingnews.net