Is Khan desperate for a payday?

By Boxing News - 05/30/2012 - Comments

Image: Is Khan desperate for a payday?By William Mackay: Amir Khan previously said that he would never face Manny Pacquiao because he was such a good friend of his, and because of that he could never imagine getting in the ring with him. But now suddenly after a loss to Lamont Peterson, Khan has changed his mind and is now interested in facing Pacquiao.

Khan said to Sky Sports News in talking about his future plans after his July 14th scheduled fight against Danny Garcia, “I’ll have one more fight at 147 before I go on to the big names like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.”

So what is that all about? Khan loses to Peterson and now he’s suddenly interested in facing Pacquiao. Why would Khan change his mind about that? I think I have an idea. The loss to Peterson may have given Khan a sense of his own vulnerability in the sport, and that he might not have much of a shelf life left before he’s further exposed and rooted out of the top level. What better way to ensure he at least gets one big payday then to change his mind about wanting to fight Pacquiao and take the payday fight right now before Khan gets beaten by someone else. He’s probably one loss away from finding himself in a steep uphill climb in trying to work his way to big fights. I can understand HBO still televising Khan’s fight after the Peterson loss, but will they still be willing to show Khan’s fights if he gets beaten by someone like Kell Brook, Victor Ortiz or Andre Berto? I don’t think they will. Of course, Khan probably isn’t going to be matched up with any of those dangerous fighters, because there’s too much of a chance for him loss.

Khan seems to be rushing into the Mayweather and Pacquiao fights as if he’s got to do it in a big hurry. What’s the hurry? Is it because Khan is afraid they’ll retire soon or is he afraid he might get beaten again and find himself having to work his way back.

I honestly don’t see Khan getting matched up against anyone dangerous when he does move up to the welterweight division. Khan is facing Garcia in July, and we just saw how awful Garcia looked against Erik Morales. I’d favor Marcos Maidana over Garcia. Why doesn’t Khan fight Maidana again? I think I know the reason. He’s probably too dangerous. Khan barely escaped the Maidana fight last time in one piece, and I don’t think he or his promoters want to risk seeing him get beaten before at least one big money fight. Khan will lose badly to Mayweather and Pacquiao, and then I guess he’ll go back to struggling against guys he’s supposed to easily beat.



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