Amir Khan has been urged to put on “a statement performance” against Devon Alexander in Las Vegas on Saturday by promoter Oscar De La Hoya, who is pushing Floyd Mayweather to fight the Briton in a May blockbuster in the same city.
De La Hoya, head of Golden Promotions, Khan’s United States handlers, believes that the Briton could spring a shock against Mayweather, or even against Manny Pacquiao, next year and sees qualities in the Bolton welterweight that could make him one of the sport’s greats. “We strongly feel that fighting in the welterweight division, Amir is a force to be reckoned with,” De La Hoya said.
“He is a threat to everyone in the division. He has been fighting the very best, he’s been waiting very patiently. And I’ve always said this – Khan is the type of fighter that if you put him up to the test, if you put him up against a Floyd Mayweather, you put him up against a Manny Pacquiao, don’t be surprised when he wins, because that’s the type of character, the type of fighter that Khan is.
“Khan is at the perfect moment in his career to be fighting at welterweight. I am pushing hard for a Floyd Mayweather fight next year, even Manny Pacquiao, because Amir Khan deserves those types of fights. I truly feel 2015 will be Amir Khan’s year.”
First, however, Khan must come through his stiffest test in two years when he faces southpaw Alexander, a former world champion at light-welterweight and welterweight.
“Alexander is a very tough opponent, and this will be a real test for Khan,” De La Hoya said. “He’s going to come out shining and he’s going to come out to make a statement, so it’s going to be a very good fight.
“Alexander is not pushover whatsoever. He’s in the same position. He knows this is an opportunity of a lifetime and so it should call for a very good fight. This is the perfect step up for Khan right now. I truly feel that Amir Khan, if he keeps winning, if he keeps on getting into these big fights that are promised, could go on to be one of the top fighters of all time.”
De La Hoya is aware, however, that Mayweather-Pacquiao could go ahead in 2015. “If that happens, it is great for boxing,” said the promoter who faced both men in the ring. “In that case, we would probably look to put Amir in with Kell Brook, most probably at Wembley Stadium.”
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