Amir Khan's (28-3, 19 KOs) quest for a fight with "Money" Floyd Mayweather begins December 7th on Showtime, with welterweight titleholder Devon Alexander (25-1, 14 KOs) his likely opponent.
"In my opinion, Floyd is the best and I want to beat the best. My dream is to be the best," Khan told the LatinosPost.com. "I'm working my way towards that goal and fighting Alexander gets me a step closer."
While the deal is not completed yet, Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer told ESPN's Dan Rafael that he expects to wrap negotiations up soon. Dubai has been mentioned as a possible location to host the fight.
"I've been back and forth to Europe, but I am getting back on the plane and going to Dubai," Schaefer told ESPN.com. "I am meeting some people and we will be looking at several venues there, like five or six different venues. I'm going to see if I can pull it off. When I see opportunities, I always have an obligation to evaluate them, so we'll see."
Khan, who has fought in the United States and the United Kingdom - including a unanimous decision victory over Mexico's Julio Díaz at the Motorpoint Arena Sheffield in Yorkshire in his last bout, is intrigued by the idea of fighting in the United Arab Emirates city.
"Dubai is about an hour away from Pakistan and my dream has always been to fight in Pakistan," says the 2004 Athens Olympic silver medal winner and two-time world champion. "At least I'm very close to Pakistan fighting in Dubai. It's about letting my team do their work."
New York and the United Kingdom have also been floated around as possible sites to host the boxing match, as well. Regardless whether the fight is held in Dubai or elsewhere, the Bolton, England native plans to link up with trainer Virgil Hunter in the US to prepare for his match against Alexander - who is coming off a title-defense victory over Lee Purdy.
"It is very difficult when you don't spend time with you trainer, working on technique and stuff like that," says Khan. "I speak to Virgil on phone and I'm training at home but I'm going to be spending time in America and more time with Virgil."
Khan believes that a victory over Alexander puts him in line for a shot at Mayweather, who is scheduled to fight Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez on September 14 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Khan expects Mayweather to triumph over the 22-year-old Guadalajara native, in what he believes will be an entertaining match-up.
"I think Mayweather will be the winner. His experience will win the fight," says Khan. "Canelo is a great fighter, very strong. Who knows, one punch can change a fight. It's going to be a great fight."
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