Mention the words ‘welterweight’ and ‘Floyd Mayweather’ in the same sentence these days and it’s likely that Britain’s Amir Khan won’t be too far away from the conversation.
Irrespective of Floyd’s (sardonic) assertions that he will fight Andre Berto or Karim Mayfield – which you’d be a fool to believe – Khan still thinks that he is in the running for that fight in September and along with the likes of Kell Brook, Shawn Porter and Keith Thurman – is capable of landing the shot.
Speaking to fighthype, WBA (reg) 147 lb champ Thurman – who fights Luis Collazo on July 11th in Tampa, FL, has offered his own thoughts on a potential Mayweather-Khan fight, as well as to offer himself up as an opponent for the Brit.
Speaking on how that fight between the Athens silver medalist and future Hall of Famer might go, “One Time” said;
“I think Amir could possibly – you know – win some rounds. I don’t see him winning the fight. Floyd is very strategic, well, well, well conditioned. You know, in the Chris Algieri fight, he (Khan) dominated pretty much the first 4 rounds – but from the 5th on he’s a little easier to hit.”
“That’s my assessment of it – and if I see it, I know Floyd sees it and I think he would take advantage of that.”
Talking about what he sees in the future provided he beats Collazo – which he should – Thurman said;
“I would like Amir Khan. I believe Amir doesn’t have the chin to take the punching power, (but) I think he has the legs to run backwards for however many rounds before he hits the blue canvas.”
“I would be interested in seeing that hand-speed up close and in person. I mean, I know it’s fast but a lot of the time people don’t even attempt to give him awkward angles – and that’s something else that I believe Floyd would do. Changes, elevation of his head, use his reflexes – and I would do the same thing to Amir. And unlike Floyd, when my counter comes – it’s gonna hurt!”
Echoing the sentiment of many – that Khan isn’t really a true welter himself until he tests himself against one, rather than the light hitting smaller fighters he’s faced since moving up from 140 – Keith said;
“I think it was a mistake for him to be campaigning at 147 lbs. The welterweight division is a stacked division. A lot of people WANT to be welterweights, a lotta people want to be a welterweight champion – so I think Amir is better trying to conduct a Danny Garcia rematch, something like that.”
“After the (Algieri) fight on television, he talked about Floyd. But then when one of you guys came and asked him some more questions, then he decided to say my name out of his mouth. And for SOME REASON his coach wanted to talk junk too.”
“I don’t know what’s about that ’cause Virgil (Hunter) can’t throw punches for Amir, he can’t take punches for Amir – and if I had to, I’d knock both of ’em out!”
“I think it’s a fight the fans would like but he hasn’t done anything to earn his ranking in the welterweight division. What top welterweight has Amir Khan beaten?”
“He is a talented kid. He has boxing ability, he was an Olympian – but I say if he wants to do something in the welterweight division, then he needs to beat a real welterweight.”
Hear, hear. Thurman and Kell Brook are waiting, Amir.
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
