Sport

Amir Khan still hopeful of Floyd Mayweather bout

Manny Pacquiao’s surgeon delighted with results of the Filipino’s shoulder operation

Amir Khan insists he would be ready to fight Floyd Mayweather in September if a showdown can be agreed with the undisputed welterweight champion. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA
Amir Khan insists he would be ready to fight Floyd Mayweather in September if a showdown can be agreed with the undisputed welterweight champion. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA
Thu May 07 2015 - 10:15

Amir Khan has raised the possibility of a September showdown with Floyd Mayweather after insisting his observance of Ramadan would not prevent him fighting the unbeaten American.

The Muslim festival ends on July 17th this year and Khan believes that date leaves sufficient time to embark on his training camp in preparation to face the undisputed welterweight champion.

Mayweather confirmed after outpointing Manny Pacquiao on Sunday that he will retire once he completes his six-bout deal with US television network Showtime with his final outing set to be in Las Vegas in September.

Oversight

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Khan believes eight weeks would be enough time for him to face the reigning pound-for-pound king if chosen as his next opponent.

“I’m not ruling out fighting in September because it’s possible that it could happen,” Khan said.

“Mayweather only fights in mid-September and Ramadan will be a little earlier this year, which helps. It gives me enough time to get the training done. So it can happen in September.”

Khan faces Chris Algieri in New York on May 29th and is unwilling to look beyond his light-punching opponent, who was knocked down six times by Pacquiao during a massive points defeat in November.

“I need to win this fight if I’m to get near any of the big names in boxing. It’s time to fight Chris Algieri, I’m not going to be fighting Mayweather until I win this fight,” Khan said.

“Winning this fight is everything to me. I’m not looking past Chris because I’ve made that mistake in the past. There are bigger fights out there for me, but this is my focus.”

A potential roadblock to Khan’s chances of meeting an opponent he has long pursued is the possibility of a rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao after it emerged that the Filipino was carrying a shoulder injury.

It will be April at the earliest that Pacquiao can fight again and Mayweather has little sympathy for a foe he defeated with such conviction.

Mayweather said on social media: “Nineteen years in the fight game and I’ve had one excuse: ‘Don’t have an excuse’. Winners win and losers have excuses’.”

Surgery

Meanwhile it’s been revealed that Pacquiao underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on Wednesday, just days after his loss to Mayweather in the the so-called “Fight of the Century”.

Surgeon Neal ElAttrache, who performed the operation to repair a torn rotator cuff, said he could “not be more pleased with the results” and expects Pacquiao to recover fully.

Pacquiao, the former eight-division world champion, lost a unanimous decision to Mayweather in Las Vegas last weekend in the richest prize fight in boxing history.

The Filipino southpaw entered the fight with a shoulder injury that was suffered during preparation for the bout. The Nevada State Athletic Commission could fine or suspend Pacquiao for failing to disclose the injury.

The non disclosure could also lead to possible lawsuits from boxing fans who may feel cheated after paying record sums for tickets in the MGM Grand Garden Arena or pay-for-view (PPV).

Some of the ringside spots in the 16,800-seat arena demanded up to $350,000 on resale site StubHub, while a record $300 million or more is expected in PPV revenue.

Talks over that potential rematch between Mayweather (48-0) and Pacquiao (57-6-2), once his health resumes, have already began, according to media reports.