Amir Khan to fight Marcos Maidana

Things in the 140-pound division are really beginning to heat up.

Amir Khan and Marcos Maidana have agreed to square off on December 11 at the Mandalay Bay. The fight is set to be televised on HBO's Championship Boxing.

Khan confirmed the fight via twitter. "All [the legal] work for the fight has been done. [The] fight has been signed by both parties. Khan vs. Maidana, December 11," he wrote.

Making the fight was easier said than done, of course. Khan (23-1, 17 KOs) wanted to fight in his native England, while Maidana (29-1, 27 KOs) wanted to fight in the U.S. The two finally came to a compromise, but only because of the threat of a WBA-forced purse bid. 

Under those circumstances, if the fighters didn't come to a decision by September 21, any promoter in the U.S. registered with the WBA could bid to promote the fight. Both fighters are promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

It's a fight that was a long time coming. With Tim Bradley and Devon Alexander expected to fight sometime in January, Maidana having defeated Victor Ortiz and Khan still on a high after stopping Paulie Malignaggi, this bout seemed logical. 

It may not be Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao, but it's a fight between two of the most skilled fighters in the world. Maidana has big time power, while Khan has an excellent blend of quickness and discipline.

This bout could also lead to a super bout early next summer against the winner of Bradley-Alexander. This fight could also have a bearing on the Jab Judah-Lucas Matthysse bout.