Share

Khan wants Mayweather fight

Las Vegas - Britain's former two-time light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan has said he wants to be the next opponent for Floyd Mayweather after watching ringside as the American outpointed Manny Pacquiao in the Las Vegas superfight on Saturday.

Mayweather kept his unbeaten record with a unanimous points victory over Pacquiao in a welterweight unification showdown that failed to live up to all the pre-match hype, but fully highlighted the winner's superb defensive skills.

Mayweather said after the fight that he would only get in the ring once more - in September - and Khan, 10 years younger at 28, believes he is ideally placed to be the American's final opponent.

"I think the fight is there," Khan told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

"I spoke to Len Ellerbe, his manager, I saw him in the media room and he came over to say 'hi...he's ready when you are'.

"I think Mayweather's team are wanting the fight. But then - on the other hand - I've even spoken to Manny's team and they said the same thing. (They said), 'Look Amir, I think it'd be good to have the fight between you and Manny next'.

"So, I'm in a position where I could fight either guy but I think Mayweather's the one I want, because I really believe I have his number."

The Bolton boxer, with 30 wins and three losses to date in his career, is in action later this month in New York taking on Chris Algieri, but he hopes to get in the ring with Mayweather later this year or early in 2016.

"I think it would be an amazing fight, one that boxing fans all around are talking about because I really believe size is a big factor between me and him and the speed and the power as well. I really believe I have his number."

Early reactions to the richest fight in boxing history were mixed with Oscar de la Hoya, a former rival of both Mayweather and Pacquiao saying on Twitter: "Sorry boxing fans" and "call me old school but I like the fans getting their money's worth by watching an action packed fight."

Former Irish champion Barry McGuigan agreed saying on his Twitter site "boringly one-sided"

Others though praised the boxing skills of Mayweather as he took his unbeaten streak to 48 wins over 19 years.

Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who had picked Pacquiao to win told Sky Sports: "It's him. It's who he is. It's just his time at the moment."

Britain's Lennox Lewis on Twitter said: "If U can't catch it you can't hit it #Maypac that pretty much sums up the fight."

Frank Bruno hailed Floyd Mayweather as a supreme "craftsman" of the boxing ring.

"In this generation you have to go very, very far before you can be a skilled craftsman, businessman, technician, professional and a king in knowing his craft," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme.

"As a boxer you've got to admire him, he's got to go down as one of the greats."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1847 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1813 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1102 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 472 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 262 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE