By William Mackay: WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (28-0, 12 KO’s) is reportedly interested in facing former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (26-2, 18 KO’s) and giving him a beating. However, at this point it’s kind of out of Bradley’s hands.

Bradley is a possible opponent for WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao’s next fight in early 2012, and a fight against Khan is something far behind that bout. Even if Bradley doesn’t get the Pacquiao fight this time around, he’s high on the list for Pacquiao’s next fight in 2012. Bradley and his new promoter Bob Arum aren’t about to risk the big money that can be made in a Bradley-Pacquiao fight by having Bradley face the recently defeated Khan for chump change in comparison.

Bradley obviously is irritated with all the badgering from Khan in 2011 when the British star continuously called him out in the media and questioned his courage. During much of this time Bradley was embroiled in a promotional dispute and wasn’t in the position to fight Khan even if he wanted to. When things recently did clear up for Bradley after he signed with Top Rank, the potential fight he had with Khan was effectively off the table now that Khan was no longer willing to offer Bradley a 50-50 deal.

As of now, the fight isn’t a good deal for either Khan or Bradley. Khan can’t afford to take another risky fight after he was exposed by Bradley victim Lamont Peterson last month in a 12 round decision loss. Khan needs to try and somehow get a rematch to reestablish his credibility among boxing fans if that’s at all possible at this point. If Khan can get a win over Peterson, then he plans on moving up in weight to try and get a big money payday bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Khan can’t afford any more dangerous fights or losses before he gets his money fight against Mayweather. From here until Khan gets the Mayweather fight, the biggest risk-taking fight for Khan will be a rematch against the light hitting Peterson. That’s as far as it goes. But believe me, if Khan does get the rematch with Peterson, it’ll be in a venue that benefits Khan with a referee that won’t say squat about Khan’s pushing, headlocks, pulling down on his opponent’s heads or his sometimes hold & hitting. Khan won’t have to worry about losing any more points through penalizations in a Peterson rematch unless the fight is held in Washington, DC, Peterson’s home town. Khan already said he won’t be fighting there again.