Accomplished and widely recognizable former world champions still in the prime of their careers — Amir Khan and Devon Alexander — participated in a Golden Boy Promotions press conference on Tuesday at The Conga Room at L.A. Live to formally announce “ROYAL BATTLE” on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas; live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). Former world champion Victor Ortiz was also in attendance as he prepares for his undercard bout against an opponent to be named.
Khan vs. Alexander
Khan must impress against Alexander to have chance for Mayweather fight
By Scott Gilfoid: #1 WBC welterweight contender Amir Khan (29-3, 19 KOs) will be the headliner act against #4 IBF Devon Alexander (26-2, 14 KOs) on December 13th at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
This is likely Khan’s last chance to earn a fight against WBA/WBC 147 pound champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. If Khan fails to beat Alexander of if he fails to impress in this fight, then it’s pretty much over for Khan in terms of him getting a fight against Mayweather.
Khan-Alexander, Thurman-Bundu & Andrade-Charlo official for December 13th
By Scott Gilfoid: The December 13th Showtime Championship Boxing card is now official with former IBF/WBA 140 pound champion Amir Khan (29-3, 19 KOs) facing former two division world champion Devon Alexander (26-2, 14 KOs) in the headliner fight at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Devon Alexander expects Khan to be an easy fight for him
By Scott Gilfoid: Former two division world champion Devon Alexander (26-2, 14 KOs) sees himself having an easy fight against the 28-year-old Amir Khan (29-3, 19 KOs) in their upcoming fight on December 13th at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Alexander says his speed, skills and southpaw stance are going to give Khan a lot of problems when they get inside the ring on 12/13. In fact, Alexander feels this is going to be an easy fight for him.
De La Hoya: Khan wants to make a statement against Alexander
By Scott Gilfoid: Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya says his fighter Amir Khan (29-3, 19 KOs) will be looking to put on a show and make a statement on December 13th against former two division world title holder Devon Alexander (26-2, 14 KOs) when they face each other on Showtime Boxing at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
De La Hoya points out that they both want to get a fight against superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr, and they’ll need to prove themselves if they want to get that fight.
Devon Alexander’s trainer says if Khan doesn’t sign by October 7th, then no fight on December 7th
By Scott Gilfoid: Amir Khan (28-3, 19 KO’s) and Golden Boy Promotions has until next Monday, October 7th to negotiate a fight with IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander (25-1, 14 KO’s), because if they haven’t done it by that time then there won’t be a fight between them on December 7th, says Alexander’s trainer Kevin Cunningham.
He’s looking out for Alexander’s welfare and he doesn’t want to have him put in a situation where he doesn’t have enough time to adequately train for the Khan fight. Cunningham wants Alexander to have 8 weeks to get in shape and plan for Khan, and anything less than that isn’t enough time.
Khan not fighting Mayweather next; still training for Alexander
By Scott Gilfoid: According to press statement from Team Khan, Amir is training for a December 7th fight against IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander and not for a big fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. next year in May. What a shocker.
There have been reports for the past week that Khan was going to skip the Alexander fight and go straight to a big money fight against Mayweather.
Here’s the statement from Team Khan:
“Team Khan would like to dispel recent reports that Amir Khan has pulled out of a potential match-up against Devon Alexander on December 7th, taking up a fight against Floyd Mayweather in May of Next year instead.
Khan no longer excited about Devon Alexander fight
By Scott Gilfoid: It looks like Amir Khan is losing interest in the fight that Golden Boy Promotions wants him to take against IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander.
Khan has been talking about the Alexander fight for eons now, but suddenly Khan’s focus has shifted from Alexander to Floyd Mayweather Jr. for some reason, and it’s starting to look like Khan doesn’t want to risk his hide in the fight against Alexander on December 7th.
Sports Illustrated writer Chris Mannix said “When asked, @GoldenBoyBoxing’s Richard Schaefer told me that “it still looks like” DA/Khan in December but ‘who knows, that might change.’ Hearing that @AmirKingKhan – @TheRealDevonA is far from a lock for December, largely because of Khan’s lack of interest in the fight.”
Khan vs. Alexander & Judah vs. Malignaggi possible for December 7th
By Allan Fox: Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is hoping to put together a double-header between Amir Khan vs. Devon Alexander, and Zab Judah vs. Paulie Malignaggi on December 7th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, according to RingTV.
There’s also the possibility that former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz could be on the card against an opponent still to be determined if Schaefer can persuade Ortiz to agree to fighting on that date. Ortiz hasn’t fought since June of 2012 due to a broken jaw.
Schafer said to RingTV “Zab Judah against Paulie Malignaggi…we will have to see if that could be done…Zab’s goal is to get another big fight
Khan and Alexander agree to fight on December 7th, venue still to be determined
By Scott Gilfoid: IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander (25-1, 19 KO’s) and Amir Khan (28-3, 19 KO’s) have agreed to face each other on December 7th at a venue still to be determined, according to Lance Pugmire of the LA Times. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is still hoping to have the fight take place in Dubai in order to take advantage of Khan’s fans there.
It’s a risk if Schaefer does stage a fight there, because it could very well do poorly with few fans showing up. The other option for the fight is at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. In other words, the options are Dubai or New York.