Confusion reigns over the future of Amir Khan after his representatives rejected claims he is set to cancel plans to fight Devon Alexander in order to face Floyd Mayweather.
Khan is currently deep in negotiations for a Dec. 7 bout with Alexander, but it was reported by Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail that those plans would be shelved for the mega-earner of a clash with Mayweather.
However, a statement on behalf of Team Khan, per Sky Sports, said on Thursday:
Team Khan would like to dispel recent reports that Amir Khan has pulled out of a potential matchup against Devon Alexander on Dec. 7, taking up a fight against Floyd Mayweather in May of next year instead.
Contrary to this story, Amir Khan is currently in training camp in San Francisco with the aim of fighting again in December against Alexander once an agreement can be reached.
The outstanding issue surrounding the Alexander bout concerns the venue. Dubai had been targeted for the IBF welterweight title encounter but stumbling blocks have slowed talks.
That delay means Khan does have wiggle room to shelve plans to fight Alexander if he wants to head straight into a showdown with the world’s most lucrative boxer, Mayweather.
Powell’s report claims an official announcement will be made to confirm the Mayweather vs. Khan clash in the next few days. Las Vegas is named as the venue—not Wembley.
If the report proves to be true, it would raise several questions.
Not only over Khan, but also Mayweather.
The Brit has won two of his last four fights and is still haunted by the savage beating dished out by Danny Garcia last year. His chin and defence are widely believed to be too weak for world level, raising question marks over whether he is a worthy challenger to Mayweather.
There is also a doubt over the step up to welterweight. December’s bout against Alexander was supposed to be Khan’s test. Given his fragile punch resistance, the extra power of welterweights threatens to bring major problems.
However, there are plenty of selling points on which promoters for the Mayweather vs. Khan match can hype the fight.
Khan has speed to burn—maybe more so than the champion. In fact, per Powell, it is claimed by the Brit himself that the move to welterweight has made him healthier. He also says he has greater punch resistance due to gaining bulk.
The link-up with world-renowned coach Virgil Hunter brings the promise of a new model—an Amir Khan 2.0. If Hunter can teach him tactics and defence, Khan already has the attacking instincts to make a spectacle.
Ultimately, the Alexander bout is Khan’s most logical next step. It would bring a world title and give Khan time to adjust to the new weight.
Money talks, though, particularly in the case of Mayweather.
Read more Boxing news on BleacherReport.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment