Amir Khan wants to fight Mayweather

Published May 4, 2015
Amir Khan takes part in a training session at The English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, northern England. — AFP/File
Amir Khan takes part in a training session at The English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, northern England. — AFP/File

LAS VEGAS: Britain’s former two-time light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan has said he wants to be the next opponent for Floyd Mayweather after watching ringside as the American outpointed Manny Pacquiao in the Las Vegas superfight on Saturday.

Mayweather kept his unbeaten record with a unanimous points victory over Pacquiao in a welterweight unification showdown that failed to live up to all the pre-match hype, but fully highlighted the winner’s superb defensive skills.

Mayweather said after the fight that he would only get in the ring once more — in September — and Khan, 10 years younger at 28, believes he is ideally placed to be the American’s final opponent.

“I think the fight is there,” Khan told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme.

“I spoke to Len Ellerbe, his manager, I saw him in the media room and he came over to say ‘hi...he’s ready when you are’.

“I think Mayweather’s team wanting the fight. But then - on the other hand — I’ve even spoken to Manny’s team and they said the same thing. [They said], ‘Look Amir, I think it’d be good to have the fight between you and Manny next’.

“So, I’m in a position where I could fight either guy but I think Mayweather’s the one I want, because I really believe I have his number.”

The Bolton boxer, with 30 wins and three losses to date in his career, is in action later this month in New York taking on Chris Algieri, but he hopes to get in the ring with Mayweather later this year or early in 2016.

“I think it would be an amazing fight, one that boxing fans all around are talking about because I really believe size is a big factor between me and him and the speed and the power as well. I really believe I have his number.”

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.