By Dominic Sauboorah: Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer has stated that a fight between former WBA and IBF Light Welterweight champion Amir Khan (28-3, 19 KO’s) and IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander (25-1, 14 KO’s) is close to being finalized for some point this year. He also stated how the fight could take place in Dubai.
According to the Daily Mail Schaefer said “Amir needs one fight at welterweight, along with a title, to set up the match with Floyd. He is getting that chance against Devon, who has agreed the fight. We will be finalizing and signing the contracts in the next couple of weeks…If he defeats Devon…the next step for him would be against Floyd.”
This is an intriguing match up between two world rated fighters. Mentally I believe Alexander will have the edge, considering that he’s beaten the likes of Lucas Matthysse, Marcos Maidana and Randal Bailey since being stopped by Timothy Bradley over two years ago. Khan is still in the learning process under Virgil Hunter who appears to have improved, temperament wise, under the tutelage of the trainer from Los Angeles. He showed composure against Carlos Molina and, despite being dropped and rocked on several occasions, showed tremendous character against Julio Diaz.
Despite this however Alexander is a crafty operator who isn’t the easiest to catch clean and throws punches from odd angles. Then again so does Khan, thereby making it an interesting match up. It’ll be the first time that Khan has campaigned at 147 and it’ll be interesting to find out how well he does at the weight. I can imagine him being a fair bit stronger, considering that he has to kill himself to make the 140 lb limit.
People will always have there doubts about Khan’s ability to hold a shot and at welterweight he could be even more vulnerable. Nevertheless he’s recovered from set backs in the past and there’s no reason why he couldn’t beat Alexander. Both fighters will be extremely motivated for the bout, considering that the winner has the opportunity to fight Floyd Mayweather next year in spring, so long as he gets past Saul Alvarez on September 14th.
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