By Jake Donovan

Keith Thurman called out Floyd Mayweather immediately after Friday’s weigh-in for his clash with Leonard Bundu this Saturday in Las Vegas. So, too, did Erislandy Lara  on Friday night following his points win over Ishe Smith in San Antonio.

Manny Pacquiao and his team have devoted an entire marketing campaign dedicated to chasing a Mayweather showdown. Mayweather responded on Friday night at ringside in San Antonio, insisting that he wants the fight, even if entirely on his terms.

So where exactly does that leave the winner of Showtime’s headliner between Amir Khan and Devon Alexander this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas?

More than likely close to the top of the queue.

Khan was rumored to land the coveted assignment that was to come in May. The 2004 Olympic Silver medalist and former 140 lb. titlist from Great Britain believed it to the point where he pulled out of what would have been a title fight with Alexander last December.

The move proved ill-timed all around. Khan never went on to face Mayweather – at least not yet. The fight with Alexander – scheduled to take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn - instead went to Shawn Porter, who snatched the welterweight belt that night.

Khan was left without a fight for more than a year before settling for placement on the undercard of Mayweather’s first win over Marcos Maidana in May. The consolation prize was a dominant performance versus Luis Collazo, scoring a landslide decision but sitting idle while awaiting his next assignment.

Alexander fights for the second time since the loss to Porter. The first fight back for the fighting pride of St. Louis came in June, outpointing Jesus Soto Karass in a highly entertaining fight. Saturday’s showdown is arguably his toughest test on paper since his 140 lb. unification bout with Tim Bradley nearly three years ago.

Maybe the winner of this bout goes on to face Mayweather. Maybe even a shot at Pacquiao. Or perhaps he’s matched with the winner of one of several bouts in or near the welterweight division this weekend.

Whatever the case, the winner will undoubtedly gain recognition as one of the top welterweights in the world.

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes Saturday’s welterweight action goes down in Las Vegas.

 

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: AMIR KHAN vs. DEVON ALEXANDER

 

Ryan Burton (Alexander SD): Khan seems to be looking ahead while Alexander is strictly business. I think the southpaw is being underestimated in this one and pulls off the upset.

Jake Donovan (Alexander SD): “I expect a career-best effort from Alexander, who knows he is running out of chances to remain relevant. Khan looked good against Luis Collazo in his welterweight debut and knows that one more win puts him squarely in the hunt for a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Manny Pacquiao. Call it a hunch but I see Alexander pulling out all the stops to score a decision whose outcome sparks similar debate to Khan’s loss versus Lamont Peterson.”

Keith Idec (Khan UD): Amir Khan has been a more effective defensive fighter since he began working with Virgil Hunter. And Devon Alexander, who figures to have some difficulty dealing with Khan’s hand speed and athleticism, probably isn’t a big enough puncher to knock out Khan anyway. Look for Khan, who fared well against the last two southpaws he fought – Luis Collazo and Zab Judah – to beat another left-hander in a reasonably competitive fight.

Steve Kim (Khan UD): Khan is too fleet of foot and quick, Khan by wide decision

John MacDonald (Khan UD): Khan's hand speed will be the key here. Khan is rarely outboxed and while he is vulnerable defensively I don't believe Alexander has the power to hurt him.

Cliff Rold (Khan Dec.): If Khan doesn't get clipped, and one assumes even Alexander could hurt him, he's got every advantage. Quicker, longer, more range, willing to hold, and more pop. Khan should have a strong night.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Khan TKO6): Golden Boy hopes to make Floyd-Khan in 2015. Devon has speed but no power to get a KO victory. Khan needs to be impressive versus Alexander to get a chance at Floyd. If Khan come inside early in this fight he could knock out Devon.

Alexey Sukachev (Alexander MD): Khan looked absolutely wonderful against Luis Collazo, which speaks more of how far Victor Ortiz has fallen than about anything else. Khan is vulnerable when it comes down to big fights. And let's not forget Juan Urango - Alexander can crack not a bit. He won't use it on Saturday, but will narrowly outsmart Khan in a dynamic but stylistically underachieving fight.

Dominic Verdin (Khan UD): Amir Khan vs. Devon Alexander could go both ways. It could be a disaster of a contest with both men not doing much or it could be a very highly competitive boxing match. I see a little bit of both. Khan should be able to handle the talented but hittable Alexander. Khan will dominate Alexander later in the fight and score a unanimous decision.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox