Team Maidana responds to Amir Khan step-aside clause

by Ricardo Lois

Shades of gray.

So much in our world is based on perception.

What one person might call a step-aside clause in a boxing contract, is considered a three fight deal with a promoter by an other.

Earlier in the week BoxingScene's  Rick Reeno reported that several sources were informing him that Marcos Maidana (#7 ranked light welterweight by The Boxing Truth) had a step-aside clause inserted into his contract for his upcoming bout with Victor Cayo.

As the story goes, Maidana the mandatory to Amir Khan (ranked #4 by The Boxing Truth) and his  WBA junior welterweight title, was asked by Golden Boy - Khan's promoter - to step aside for 12 months and allow Khan to keep the title and fight Juan Manuel Marquez.

So when I contacted Maidana's manager Mr. Mario Margossian Saturday evening in Argentina, he made it clear there was no specific step aside clause.

"We signed a three fight deal with Golden Boy Promotions for Marcos to fight in the United States," said Margossian.  "The W.B.A, Golden Boy, Universum, and myself talked and it has been decided that Kahn will fight Maidana later down the road."

In order to clarify the entanglement of promoters, I asked who is Maidana's promoter.

"I make the decisions when it comes to Maidana," said Margossian.  "Universum has a financial interest in Maidana.  As for Golden Boy, we have a three fight deal with them in the United States."

So was a two fight deal with Golden Boy an indirect manner for Maidana to get out of the rising Khan's way?  You make the call.

For now Maidana is set to fight Victor Cayo on March 27th with the action broadcast on HBO.

truth@theboxingtruth.com