Prediction: Khan to fight Lamont Peterson next

By Boxing News - 08/19/2011 - Comments

Image: Prediction: Khan to fight Lamont Peterson nextBy William Mackay: There has been a lot of talk about WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan fighting the winner of the September 17th fight between Erik Morales and Lucas Matthysse for the vacant WBC light welterweight strap. However, Khan may end up being blocked at that end by Timothy Bradley, who reportedly has been given a deal by the WBC to fight the winner of the Matthysse-Morales fight if he wants it.

Bradley needs this fight and would be crazy to not take it. This cuts off one fight avenue for Khan. We already know that Khan won’t fight Marcos Maidana again, and Roberto Guerrero was just injured so he’s out as well. Breidis Prescott and Paul McCloskey fight on September 10th in a WBA light welterweight title eliminator.

Khan wants no part of Prescott, who viciously knocked Khan out in one round three years ago. Khan has no desire to try and avenge that loss. Since Prescott is likely to beat McCloskey, that’s another avenue for Khan that is effectively cut off because of the wrong guy coming out on top. When the smoke clears, there’s only Lamont Peterson (29-1-1, 15 KO’s), the light hitting fighter that recently earned the IBF mandatory spot by beating Victor Cayo.

Peterson is the guy that Khan will likely fight. He’s not someone that boxing fans want to see Khan fight, as they’re more interested in seeing Khan fight Maidana or Prescott again rather than weak punchers like Peterson or old guys like Morales. Boxing fans have a list of guys that they want Khan to fight and they are as follows: #1. Prescott, #2. Maidana, #3. Matthysse, #4. Morales, #5 Michael Katsidis, and coming in a distant #6. Peterson.

Is it any surprise then that Khan would fight the guy that boxing fans least want him to fight? Not me. Khan is being maneuvered around the dangerous threats to make sure he gets to his Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight in one piece next year. Don’t expect Khan to be put in with any additional punchers before the Mayweather fight, which Khan will badly lose. That’s a given.



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