Amir Khan took care of business when he defeated Chris Algieri on May 29, so now it is time to start looking ahead - September, to be exact.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. did announce on May 2 after his triumph over Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao that he would be getting back in the ring this September against a yet-to-be-named opponent which could be his final match before retiring from the sport.
Another victory would allow Mayweather to equalize the immaculate 49-0 record held by boxing great Rocky Marciano which, according to the undefeated champion, will be his last hurrah against a worthy opponent.
Before news broke out about Pacquiao’s injury, the PacMan was the likely choice for a rematch with Mayweather. Seeing that Pacquiao will be out of commission until 2016, the likely opponent will be British boxer Amir Khan.
This would not be the first time that Khan’s name would be listed as Mayweather’s possible foe.
In 2014, Mayweather was choosing between him and Marcos Maidana to be his next opponent. In fact, he even used Twitter to let the fans decide.
Though Khan reportedly won that one, according to Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports, Mayweather chose to fight Maidana.
However, it now seems that Khan is on Mayweather’s radar. Khan actually claims (via report from the Telegraph) that Mayweather’s manager, Leonard Ellerbe, approached him after the May 2 joust with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to make the September fight happen.
As things stand now, the fight seems to be imminent - and Khan definitely wants that match.
"I don't think I have ever been closer to getting the fight with Floyd Mayweather than I am at this moment. The indications are that I have strengthened my case with my win over Algieri and I believe there is every chance the fight could be confirmed within the next two weeks."
In an article from Mirror, Mayweather’s dad believes that Khan would be an easier opponent compared to Pacquiao and should be the fitting farewell fight for the undefeated boxer who is on the brink of equalizing Marciano’s 49-0 record.
"I’ll tell you what I think my son should do in September — given he’s fought all the hard-hitters — my son needs to get his contract and end it with an easy fight, he don’t need no tough fights. Amir Khan? Yes, that’d be a good fight for him. My son would beat him, I know. Of course it would be easier than Pacquiao. Khan has a pretty decent jab but all the technical things, he can’t do [them]."
Will it really be Floyd's last fight?
While Mayweather said that it would be his last fight, there are some who believe that it may not be the case. There is apparently a clamor for Mayweather to get into the ring once more to face Pacquiao on even terms.
Questions arose when Pacquiao threw fewer punches than usual and the right shoulder injury apparently answered all that. The Filipino boxer has taken the heat for proceeding to fight with the handicap while Mayweather was criticized for his running antics.
Just the same, it should not be surprising if Mayweather is considering it. Despite claiming that he has no plans of facing Pacquiao again (calling him a sore loser), the money angle could just sway him to think otherwise.
Also, it stands to be the perfect opportunity to break (Rocky) Marciano’s record and establish him as the best unbeaten boxer in history.
With money and fame in the mix, a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch is not far from happening.