Amir Khan hits back at Floyd Mayweather, targets Manny Pacquiao
During the opening of a boxing gym in Dubai, Amir Khan the former British Olympian and world boxing champion said that he has already signed the contract for a fight against the undefeated WBC welterweight and unified WBC and WBA super welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather.
In an interview with Yahoo Maktoob, Khan commented on Mayweather's recent jabs on Twitter and added that the ball is on the American's court.
Just imagine what Amir "Con Artist" will get if his name gets picked in the Mayweather sweepstakes pic.twitter.com/WL4rBB1UU3
— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) December 26, 2013
"He's just promoting the fight," dismissed Khan. "At the end of the day, I'm the the one who's signed the contract. I've already signed my part of the contract."
Khan has been long rumored as the next opponent for Mayweather but the names of Marcos Maidana and Manny Pacquiao have joined the discussion after their big wins over Adrien Broner and Brandon Rios. Mayweather is expected to announce his May opponent in January.
"Floyd hasn't signed the contract. If he wants the fight then come on and get it. I'll fight Floyd anytime. I've said it so many times, styles make fights," explained Khan. "If he wants to fight a slow-handed, slow-footed guy like Maidana then he's more than welcome."
Khan defeated Maidana in 2010 for the WBA light welterweight title.
"Floyd has never fought the best guys in the era. He hasn't faced the guys who are in their prime. If he wants to face someone I've beaten to look good then so be it. The ball is in his court."
Khan added that if the opportunity comes, he'd fight his friend and former sparring partner Manny Pacquiao. A few years ago, Khan and Pacquiao were the top two students of Freddie Roach. They sparred against each other at the Wild Card Boxing Gym and the British fighter even followed the Filipino to the Philippines as they both trained in Baguio's Shape-Up Boxing Gym.
After Khan split with Roach as a result of his knockout loss to Danny Garcia, he found trainer Virgil Hunter which removed all impediments for a Pacquio-Khan fight. The two had intense sparring sessions with the younger Khan keeping in step with Pacquiao who was then in his physical prime.
"Definitely. I'll fight Manny Pacquiao," Khan said. "It's business. I know we're friends, we respect each other but I'd definitely consider the fight. I'm sure he would as well."
