Amir Khan Says He'd Snub Floyd Mayweather Jr. Fight, Vows to Mess Money Around

After multiple previous attempts to secure a bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Amir Khan has claimed he’d now reject the chance to fight the American in the future should the opportunity arise. 

Khan’s career stalled in 2015 as he sought to secure a megafight with either Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao, before the former retired after beating Andre Berto last September. But the Brit, who faces Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in his middleweight debut on Saturday, told Press Association Sport (h/t BoxingScene.com) he’s moved on from the saga:

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Do I want to fight Floyd Mayweather with all the messing around he's given me? He messed me around a lot so I don't think I'd take that fight. He messed me around, so I'd probably treat him the same way.

Floyd's probably missing not having his picture on the MGM. He must see my picture and Canelo's picture and think, 'people have forgotten about me'. As soon as you say you're retired, we do forget about the people who say that.

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Although Mayweather has long maintained he’s not returning, lately he’s lessened his stance on permanent retirement. “Right now, I’m happy being on this side [promoting fights], but I’ve been talking with CBS and Showtime, and you just never know,” he told Showtime, per the Guardian. “But right now, I’m just happy on this side.”

Khan thinks these claims from Mayweather are indicative of a fighter who feels as though he’s starting to become irrelevant.

“Mayweather's feeling that now, he's feeling like no one's talking about him, that he's old news, and maybe that's why he's trying to get everyone supporting him again by saying 'I want to make a comeback’,” said the Brit. “Whatever Mayweather says, let him say it.”

For Khan, Saturday is without doubt the hardest challenge of his professional career. The Fight Guru Twitter feed isn’t sure the Brit has much of a chance:

Canelo is certainly a force to be reckoned with. The Mexican has only ever lost to Mayweather, and in his last fight, he performed brilliantly to get the better of a very difficult opponent in Miguel Cotto. At the moment, along with Gennady Golovkin, Alvarez is viewed as the most high-profile name in the sport.

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He’s a very tough man to box. Still only 25 years old, there’s an energy and intensity about Canleo whenever he takes to the ring. You worry if Khan does get pinned on the ropes, something Alvarez does so well against his opponents, then it’ll be difficult to withstand a flurry of big blows.

The Brit’s best hope is to keep his distance and utilise his speed. BT Sport commentator Ian Darke is worried Khan’s fast hands could be slowed by the jump in weight, though:

If Mayweather does return, a matchup against the winner of this bout or Golovkin is what fans would love to see. And given just how dangerous the latter would be to Money’s 49-0 career record, perhaps a clash with Saturday’s victor would make the most sense.

Of course, Khan has a huge task on his hands if he’s to get past Alvarez. If he did somehow secure the victory, Mayweather could view the Brit has a viable opponent, having previously opted against facing him. And while the man from Bolton claims he would turn his nose up at Money, it’s an opportunity he’d surely grasp with both hands.