Mayweather’s Next Opponent. Why I think it should be Amir Khan

By Boxing News - 05/28/2014 - Comments

khan84By Gari Jones: On the 13th September 2014 Mayweather is scheduled for another bout at the MGM Grand. His next opponent is still to be named, but you can guarantee whoever gets picked Money Mayweather will sell tickets and PPV’s that will make tens of millions in revenue.

This will be the fourth installment of an agreed six fight deal and looking back at the last three bouts I think it is important that the next opponent still be someone who can offer a challenge to Mayweather’s unbeaten record. Whether you like or dislike Mayweather, there is no doubt that he is right now just head and shoulders above everyone in the division and is pound 4 pound the best fighter in boxing today.

I have enjoyed watching his victories over Robert Guerrero, Saul Alvarez and Marcos Maidana but despite their skills and talents not one of these names really gave Mayweather any trouble. And in even his previous bouts between Cotto, Ortiz, Mosley and Marquez I had read articles and heard commentators say too many times that the outcome of the fight is already decided, meaning Mayweather was fully expected to win and the results did match those statements.

Boxing is big business today and when making fights for Mayweather it has to be someone who can be marketed as a big name and promoted as a contender. When I look at the divisions I see a number of prospective fights that can be made but the one that stands out as this moment in time is only Amir Khan. He has just come back after a lengthy year out of the sport and despite worries of being ring rusty he showed very impressive speed, footwork and punching combo’s against Luis Collazo.

You do have to look carefully and think about this, the tickets are going to sell and the fight will make millions but I want to see a fight that has potential. The big names are there but most people will expect Floyd to win easily over twelve rounds. Amir Khan with his speed, accuracy and combinations could offer a different challenge.

There are still many other names to choose from and I can make case for everyone one of them. But I look at it objectively and I don’t really see anyone besides Amir Khan that would make a good fight right now. Look at the rankings and form and I don’t think people would really go for Adrien Broner, Lamont Peterson, Timothy Bradley or Devon Alexander right now.

Here is a list of other names I would suggest.

Danny Garcia W28 (KO16), L0, D0: He would be the ideal choice, he is bang in form and improving with every fight. He has hard hands and is very intelligent in the ring. However I feel he needs more time before taking on Mayweather, he would need to step up a division and get comfortable fighting someone bigger. He’s ruling the light-welterweight division and I reckon this might be the next match-up for spring of 2015.

Juan Marquez W56 (KO40), L7, D1: Would be a good choice the legendary Mexican is a world class boxer with great experience. These two have fought before and I think he would like to make up for the loss in 2009. I’d prefer to this rather than Marquez v Pacquiao 5. He is 40 years old now and still one of the best but I wonder if age would be a factor. Would he be able to match up to Mayweather this time? Because the last time they met 2009 (5 years) it was tough for Marquez then.

Manny Pacquiao W 56 (KO38), L5 (3), D2: The one that got away, I really want to see this fight and before they both hang up their gloves they should make it happen. Despite the devastating loss he suffered from Marquez, Pacquiao has come back strong. It would be great to see but I do believe the interest has really cooled on this and I wonder would Mayweather really want to fight Pacquiao after he has suffered two defeats from his last four bouts. Regardless of thoughts and opinions it would still make a great fight.

Andre Ward W 27 (KO14), L0, D0: Never going to happen unless some drastic catch-weight was agreed upon. Ward is one of the most skilled and lethal boxers in the world and is considered pound 4 pound the best boxers only 2nd to Mayweather. It will not become a reality, but sometimes it is okay to speculate.

Looking at it like this I say that Amir Khan should be next in line for a shot at Floyd Mayweather. I believe with his lighting speed, punch combinations and high work rate Khan can give Floyd trouble, we’ve seen other big names fail to live up to the billing as being the one to threaten the undefeated record. Khan could be the fighter that surprises everyone, it would be a tremendous test for him but it is one I think many fans want to see.

There are of course questions about his chin, he was beat fair and square by Danny Garcia and there is controversy surrounding Lamont Peterson. Khan has stated and various boxing/sports sites have written that Khan had tried hard to get a rematch with both these two. Why it hasn’t happened no one can really say (we weren’t at the negotiations) but as it stands now, Khan is back and looking really sharp. l believe that looking at these possibilities he should be the next one to test Mayweather come September 2014.



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