Khan, 27, has been in the lead since Friday after clawing back a deficit opened by Maidana in the early stages of the voting and now stands on the verge of a formal announcement by Mayweather when the poll ends tonight.
Rumours by the UK media that Khan would ultimately be the 46th opponent for the pound for pound king have now come true, if by a more unexpected route, as Mayweather readies himself for the third leg of his mammoth Showtime deal.
Questions have been raised by some on Khan’s credentials for sealing the Mayweather fight as the former light-welterweight world champion has struggled to hit top form since losing to Lamont Peterson in Washington two and half years ago. The Olympic silver medallist last fought when defeating ex-lightweight title holder Julio Diaz in April 2013 in his first UK appearance in two years, but failed to set the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield alight in scoring a closes unanimous points win.
Thirteen months out of the ring is also hardly the best preparation for a challenge against the world’s best fighter, although that is something Khan will have to deal with quickly as the realisation of the contest draws ever nearer.
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