Amir Khan says he is 'close' to deal for long-awaited super-fight with Floyd Mayweather

The Bolton fighter believes he has 'strengthened his case' with a routine win over Chris Algieri in New York on Friday

Mark Staniforth
Tuesday 02 June 2015 18:45 EDT
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Amir Khan’s win over Chris Algieri last weekend put him in contention to fight Floyd Mayweather Jnr
Amir Khan’s win over Chris Algieri last weekend put him in contention to fight Floyd Mayweather Jnr (Getty)

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Amir Khan is convinced he is less than two weeks away from landing his long-awaited super-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

The Bolton fighter says there has been “movement” in negotiations since his routine win over Chris Algieri in New York on Friday, with the fight possibly taking place in the United States in September.

“I don’t think I have ever been closer to getting the fight with Floyd Mayweather than I am at this moment,” said Khan. “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.”

Khan’s dogged pursuit of Mayweather has led to long spells of inactivity in his career but he insists that, at the age of 28, he cannot afford to wait around any longer.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is unbeaten in 48 professional fights
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is unbeaten in 48 professional fights (Getty)

“The welterweight division is one of the hottest in world boxing at the moment and there are any number of other possibilities, including Miguel Cotto and Keith Thurman,” said Khan. “I have waited too long and, while I believe it is finally going to happen, I am still determined to pursue other big fights in the US once I have had some time off with my family.”

Khan has resolutely refused to entertain any prospect of facing fellow Briton Kell Brook, who successfully defended his IBF title at the weekend with an easy win over Frankie Gavin. Brook’s camp have accused Khan of running scared and the Sheffield fighter has claimed his rival is “full of rubbish”.

PA

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