By John F. McKenna (McJack): WBA/IBF light welterweight champion Amir “King” Khan (26-1, 18 KO’s) continues to say that he will never fight his stable mate and sparring partner World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s). Both Khan and Pacquiao are trained by Freddie Roach and frequently spar together at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

Amir says that he and Manny have become close friends and would never consider fighting each other. Roach also says the two will not fight each other because both fighters are like sons to him.

Khan frequently brings up the name of Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr (41-0, 25 KO’s) as a possible future opponent. Amir is riding high on a wave of extreme self confidence after his impressive and easy win over Zab Judah in July. Many boxing fans and writers think that “King” Khan’s confidence may be over the top. Recently Amir promised that he would defeat Mayweather within a year. While having confidence in ones ability as a fighter is a prerequisite to being successful confidence needs to be tempered with a strong dose of reality.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. had been considered the best Pound for Pound (P4P) fighter in the world for several years until he started taking extended periods of time off between fights. Many fans still consider Floyd to be the best fighter in the world.

Khan has shown much improvement in each of his recent fights and is also in the process of maturing physically. Still it is a stretch to think that he is close to being ready to handle the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Rumors continue to abound as to when and if a Floyd Mayweather – Manny Pacquiao fight will ever take place. Presently Floyd is tied up in numerous legal entanglements, not the least of which is Pacquiao’s defamation lawsuit against him. It is hard to imagine a Mayweather – Pacquiao fight taking place until after the defamation lawsuit is resolved.

Khan sees himself having one more fight against an unspecified opponent at light welterweight and then moving up to the welterweight ranks. Amir has stated in the past that he does not want to be a challenger when he fights Mayweather. He wants to be on an equal footing with Floyd.

Some would question the wisdom of the 24 year old Khan rushing into a fight with Mayweather who at 34 is ten years older. Presumably Floyd will start to slow down in the near future. Why should Amir not just bide his time? He will be getting better while Floyd should be slowing down as he ages.

Khan’s biggest fear is that Mayweather will lose before he gets the opportunity to defeat him, thus losing out on his shot at fistic immortality.