Boxing

Maidana denies Mayweather Jr fight deal

ESPN staff

February 17, 2014

Amir Khan (left) and Marcos Madiana (right), who fought in 2010, are the two prime candidates for the Las Vegas fight © Getty Images

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Marcos Maidana has denied he has agreed to a Las Vegas showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr - meaning the door remains open for Britain's Amir Khan.

Rumours have been circulating that a deal for a Las Vegas fight - likely to take place on May 3 - has been decided with Madiana, even though Khan recently pulled in over 60% of 35,000 votes in a fans' poll set up by Mayweather himself.

Mayweather, who has won all 45 of his professional fights, is remaining non-committal over his opponent as of yet, though he did say the fans' vote would help him decide.

Though Khan was the people's choice, WBA welterweight champion Maidana (35-3) also has a valid claim for a fight after roughing up Adrien Broner in his last outing, but his camp have denied a deal is close to being done currently.

A statement on the Argentine's Facebook said: "Considering that rumours have been circulating in the last few hours addressing a 'done deal' fight between WBA welterweight champion Marcos Maidana and WBC champ Floyd Mayweather we want to clarify that those versions are not accurate.

"Maidana is well aware that he is indeed a firm candidate to face Mayweather next May 3 but the fight is far from being made or confirmed as other fighters are still also in the mix.

"Hopefully we will have news in the next few days but in the meantime we don't want to confuse the fans or the boxing press. Maidana of course wants to unify titles with Mayweather but for now we will have to wait."

ESPN staff