British boxing will attempt to restore its reputation with a number of star studded fights across the world this Saturday.
Amir Khan will defend his WBA light-welterweight title in Las Vegas against Marcos Maidana in the standout bout early Sunday morning just hours after a bill stacked with the best of British form part of Frank Warren's 30th Anniversary show in Liverpool.
London's Derek Chisora was also due to face Wladimir Klitschko for the World Heavyweight title in Germany but a late injury to the defending champion has caused the fight to be cancelled.
UK viewers were given the opportunity to watch all three cards – prior to the Klitschko v Chisora – fight being scrapped – for the price of one regular box office bill.
In cannot be denied that several hours of boxing from all over the globe with world and British titles at stake are indeed value for money for the fans which a far cry from last months showdown between David Haye and Audley Harrison.
Haye retained his WBA Heavyweight title with a third round stoppage of Harrison is one of the most farcical title fights of recent times, doing little to impress casual boxing fans and the public at large.
Haye's exuberant admission that he had predicted the timing of the knockout to allow friends and family to bet on the outcome – leading to the Bermondsey fighter barely throwing a punch in the opening two rounds - further added to the general feeling that fans had been duped.
Rebuilding
With boxing trying to once again rebuild itself as a premier sport, Warren proteges James DeGale and Nathan Cleverly will have he chance to prove that these shores do indeed have exciting fighters involved in great fights.
DeGale is to face Paul Smith for the British super-middleweight title which is destined to be his biggest test since turning professional after conquering Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008.
After the rumoured bout against fellow Londoner George Groves failed to materialise, DeGale will be able to gain the upper hand on his rival by claiming the prestigious national title.
Such an outcome is not a foregone conclusion as Smith is a hardened competitor with only one defeat in his 30 professional fights and will have the advantage a local crowd at the Echo Arena.
Cleverly is closing in on a world title fight but first must overcome late challenger Nadjib Mohammedi after original opponent Alejandro Lakatos was sidelined with pneumonia.
The Welsh fighter will face the Frenchman after he stepped in at just three days notice ahead of the WBO light-heavyweight bout on Saturday.
Cleverly is currently riding the crest of a wave after convincing defeat of previously unbeaten Karo Murat and will be hoping to challenge Jurgen Brahmer for the world title should he emerge victorious at the weekend.
Fellow rising stars Kell Brook, Matthew Macklin and Tony Bellew will all also be in action on Warren's card in a great showcase for British talent.
Khan power
However, it will be Khan's defence of his world title that will – and rightfully so - gain the garner the greatest amount of attention.
The Bolton boxer will face the exciting talent of Maidana in a fight designed to spread the Khan brand in America before potential superfights against the leading welterweights in the world.
As well as being trained by Manny Pacquiao coach Freddy Roach, Khan has also has the backing of promotional powerhouse Golden Boy which will be nervously hoping the Brit can stretch his recent win streak before possibly becoming one of the faces of the sport.
With the scepticism currently surrounding boxing in the UK, this weekend can provide the perfect catalyst for reaffirming the potential of the countries fighters as well as making itself news stars. At least punches are going to be thrown.