By John F. McKenna (McJack)
WBA/IBF light welterweight champion Amir Khan (26-1, 18 KO’s) who faces mandatory challenger Lamont Peterson (29-1-1, 15 KO’s) on December 10 at the Washington, D.C. Convention center continues to call out undefeated WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s).
The boxing world has long awaited a fight between Mayweather and WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s) but after Pacquiao’s lackluster performance Saturday night against his long time rival WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KO’s) that fight may not materialize any time soon.
Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum has indicated that he would like to see yet another fight between Pacquiao and Marquez. Pacquiao has been agreeable to a 4th fight with Marquez, but it is unclear whether Marquez wants such a fight.
Waiting in the wings is the native of Bolton, England Amir Khan, who at 24 is quickly approaching his peak. Khan and Paquiao are stable mates and are both trained by 5 time trainer of the year Freddie Roach. Khan frequently trains and sometimes spars with Pacquiao when preparing for fights at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
Roach has been predicting for several months that Khan will emerge as the #1 Pound for Pound boxer in the world in another year. Khan, brimming over with confidence was quoted in Sky Sports saying:
“A Mayweather fight, you know that can happen in the next 9 to 12 months. It’s a fight that the public wants – it’s a public demand fight and also boxing fans would love to see that fight instead of Mayweather fighting someone they know he’d beat.
“Against me Mayweather will have problems and it will be a tough fight for him. By the time that fight will come, I’ll be 25 – I’ll be more mature, stronger, more experienced. It will be perfect for me.”
Just days after Manny Pacquiao’s controversial win over Juan Manuel Marquez trainer Roach concurred with Amir’s timetable and has no doubt that Khan would prevail in a bout with Mayweahter. Roach was quoted saying:
“That fight will be perfect for us. I would love that fight next if he moves up to 147 because I think Amir at 147 pounds will be bigger, stronger and more resilient than ever and I love that fight.”
Khan will also have a 10 year age advantage over Khan who will be 35 in February.
Amir has acknowledged that he must get past his next challenge of defeating Lamont Peterson. It is thought by many boxing observers that Peterson will give Amir a stiff test in their December 10 match.
