Amir Khan Targets Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, More to Usurp Floyd Mayweather
Amir Khan believes he can replace Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world by beating the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez.
The Bolton-born boxer suggests, even if he never faces Pretty Boy, he can be the man to dominate the sport once the American retires. Khan is now spurred on by legacy over money, according to Declan Taylor of the MailOnline:
"I'm going to be the next Floyd Mayweather whether I fight him or not.
[..] I've made a lot of money in the game of boxing and sometimes that can mess things up for you. I'd never want to focus on the money side of things and I never really do to be honest with you. I think it's the names now.
It's about fighting the likes of Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, you've got Timothy Bradley as well. Maybe a rematch with Marcos Maidana and you've got Keith Thurman there. These are the names that are going to leave you a legacy and that's what I want to do.
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Khan is only looking to face the biggest global names and suggests he isn't entertaining a potential showdown with fellow Brit Kell Brook, per Taylor: "The only fights that will get me to that position (of being the pound-for-pound best) is not beating a Brook but beating the likes of Keith Thurman, Bradley and Pacquiao. It's about beating those type of guys not the Kell Brooks."
The comments are ironic from Khan. Despite trying his damnedest to land a fight against Mayweather, the unbeaten fighter suggested Khan's "name holds no weight" before scheduling the May 2 showdown with Pacquiao, reported by Matt Morlidge of the MailOnline.
Mayweather went on to dominate Pac-Man in a classy, if underwhelming victory. He has confirmed his final fight will take place in September, reported by the Press Association (h/t the Daily Mail). As ever, Mayweather will likely have his pick of opponents.
Sky Sports expert Johnny Nelson believes Mayweather isn't destined fight Khan: "He will give Mayweather nightmares and Mayweather will just turn a blind eye and say 'we actually don’t need this guy.'"
However, Khan did little to suggest he could challenge the 48-0 star during his recent points victory over Chris Algieri. There was little spark from the Olympic silver medallist, who boxed blandly while Algieri implemented a far more ambitious game plan.
Granted, an average performance from Khan was enough to get the win, but worryingly, he fought like a man who already believes he is destined to beat the best.
Losses to Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia have placed Khan in a difficult position: one more defeat could see his hopes of challenging Mayweather (or anyone close) disappear forever.
The December win over Devon Alexander was a far better showing of the 28-year-old's skills. Khan is at his best when he utilises speed and accuracy to stop his opponent's momentum. He needs to begin pressing the issue more often in big fights, not simply surviving just enough to get the win.
Pacquiao, Cotto, Marquez and the rest of his targets would all fancy testing Khan's notoriously weak jaw. By the time he comes to face any of them, Mayweather's career is likely to be long finished.
It's fair to say Khan may have left himself too much to do to land the showdown bout with Money, perhaps brought on by his initial wait to face him.
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