Both WBA jr. welterweight champion Amir Khan and challenger Marcos Maidana declined HBO's request for each fighter to wear PunchForce sensors, thus delaying the debut of the networks new technology designed to measure the strength of a fighter's punches. HBO had already received approval from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, making the only hurdle left the approval from the fighters themselves.
Using the PunchForce technology, a sensor weighing a little more than an ounce is attached to both wrists of each fighter and a computer measures how hard a fighter is hitting. HBO is of the opinion that the technology will enhance the entertainment value of its broadcasts. They were hoping to debut it tonight during Khan vs. Maidana, but neither fighter like the idea of wearing the sensors.