Amir Khan punches Devon Alexander during their welterweight bout Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, in Las Vegas. AP
MANILA, Philippines — English boxer Amir Khan, a former long-time sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao, also wants a piece of pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The two-time world champion Khan believes he made a strong case to earn a crack at Mayweather after a masterful win over Devon Alexander.
“I really believe that I’ve earned my shot against the best fighter in the world which is Floyd Mayweather,” Khan said after outpointing Alexander, 119-109, 118-110, 120-108 as posted on boxingscene.com. “I believe Khan vs Mayweather will be huge, the UK fans will come to watch and come to support and we’re going to take the belt off him.”
The undefeated Mayweather had already expressed his intent to fight Pacquiao and even set a May 2 date.
But Khan, who was also trained by Freddie Roach before the two called it quits, also announced on his Twitter account that he wants Mayweather on the same date.
Confident as ever, Khan even said he will be “too skillfull” for the crafty Mayweather to handle.
“I really believe Floyd will have big problems with speed, movement, accuracy. You know, Floyd’s one of the best fighters in the world, don’t get me wrong, but I want my chance now, let’s see what happens,” Khan said on Sky Sports 1.
Aside from Mayweather, Khan also mentioned Pacquiao’s name.
“I think I’ve proven myself today,” Khan said. “Nobody has outboxed Devon Alexander the way I did today. I showed my skill and my class. I really believe I’m in the same line as Mayweather and Pacquiao and they’re the fights I really want. I think Mayweather maybe has one or two fights left in him and Pacquiao seems like he has a few fights in him. I want those super-mega fights to give Britain the big fights.”
“Floyd Mayweather is the ideal fight for me. I think he is the best fight out there pound-for-pound. It would be a game of chess, but against Mayweather I would be too skillful. I have the skill and movement to beat him.”
The 28-year-old Khan (30-3, 19 KOs) has won four straight fights since losing to Danny Garcia via stoppage two years ago and to Lamont Peterson in 2011.
And those setbacks may have brought the best out of Khan.
“I feel better now at 28 than I did when I was 25. I’m hitting my peak now.”
RELATED STORIES
Pacquiao says Mayweather has ‘nowhere to run’
Khan outclasses Alexander to win welterweight fight in Vegas