Amir Khan has been angling for a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for about two years, but he’s still waiting for his day. His latest comments on the matter were not exactly well-received by Floyd.
Khan (29-3, 19 KOs) has won three fights in a row since firing ex-trainer Freddie Roach after consecutive losses in 2012. In comments made to The Guardian earlier this month, Khan indicated he preferred a fight with Manny Pacquiao over Floyd because it would be tougher for him.
“Boxing is all about timing and Manny and Floyd are getting older,” Khan told The Guardian. “Someone has to take their place. Mayweather would be a very technical fight, like a game of chess. But I think Manny would be harder. He’s much more aggressive and it would be more intense. But with my trainer Virgil Hunter I’m a much better and more defensive fighter.”
One thing to keep in mind is that Khan said Pacquiao would be a tougher opponent for him, not that Pac-Man is a better overall fighter than Floyd. Boxing, like many other competitions, is about styles and matchups. Regardless of that context, Floyd didn’t care for Khan’s comments.
“I saw the comments where he thought Manny would give him a tougher fight than me. I have no response to that. I will just remind him of those comments after I have beaten him,” Mayweather said to the Daily Mail in response to Khan.
The good news is that Floyd is still considering Khan as a future opponent.
“He is an exciting young fighter – but I don’t just fight anybody – they have to prove themselves.
“If you ask me will the fight happen – then I would say yes. I hope next year – but these fights are always about timing.”
Mayweather is facing Marcos Maidana in a rematch next month while Pacquiao is taking on Chris Algieri in November. Khan doesn’t have another fight scheduled yet, but he could try something with Kell Brook next year before hoping to win the Pacquiao or Mayweather sweepstakes. Maybe one day one of those fights will happen.
