By William Mackay: IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan may have the fight of his life next week against Lamont Peterson, but Khan is still talking about Floyd Mayweather Jr. and likes his chances against Mayweather Jr.
Khan also thinks boxing fans are really interested in seeing specifically him fight Mayweather. Why Khan thinks that it’s hard to tell, because he still hasn’t even proven that he’s the best fighter in the light welterweight division and yet he’s been talking about wanting to fight Mayweather for the past year.
Khan told the BBC “It’s definitely a public demand fight…Golden Boy, they definitely want the fight, and so do I. I want to get Lamont Peterson out of the way and then try to get a date for 2012 [against Mayweather]. I am the best fighter he can face…I know Floyd has never faced the type of speed and power I have, or the angles…I’m sure we could sell out Wembley Arena.”
Khan is dreaming in so many areas it’s hard to know where to begin. First of all, Mayweather will never agree to fight Khan in England, never! Is Khan kidding about that? Why would Mayweather fight in Khan’s neck of the woods and risk losing a hometown decision or risk having a fight that may end up not having a referee control the action.
I’ve seen more than a few fights in the UK where the guys are basically braining each other with elbows, and holding and hitting, and the referee is just standing there like a bump on a log. I doubt Mayweather will want to risk fighting under those conditions. He needs a neutral venue and a referee he can count on that doesn’t let Khan work him over.
As far as Mayweather never having fought anyone with Khan’s speed, he’s wrong again. Mayweather beat Zab Judah in 2006 when Judah was still very fast and not a shot fighter like he was when Khan was matched against him recently. Mayweather has also fought Victor Ortiz, who is almost as quick as Khan, but much more powerful. Ricky Hatton also was someone Mayweather fought, and he was a bigger puncher than Khan as well.
I really don’t think the boxing is calling for a Khan-Mayweather fight. I think they would have by now had Khan faced nothing but good opponents for the past three years, but he’s pretty much carefully matched in low risk fights.
Look at the guys Khan has faced and you tell me:
Zab Judah – Over the hill
Paul McCloskey – safe pick against a weak puncher
Lamont Peterson – Another weak puncher
Marcos Maidana – An excellent choice but the referee got in the way constantly after Maidana had Khan hurt.
Paulie Malignaggi – A safe pick with no power.
Dmitriy Salita – Slow, safe pick, with limited power and skills
Andry Kotelnik – A light puncher
Marco Antonio Barrera – fight ended early due to headbutt. The but should have been ruled a no contest. It’s hard to see this as a genuine win for Khan.
Oisin Fagan – A second tier opponent
Breidis Prescott – Knocked Khan out in the 1st round.
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