Khan, 26, unified the WBA and IBF belts in his time at ten stone, but now feels that the bustling welterweight division is the place to be as the Briton chases a shot at Floyd Mayweather Jr. before the pound for pound king retires. 36 year-old Mayweather put on a stunning display against Robert Guerrero last weekend in Las Vegas and with possibly only five fights left in his career, Khan wants to test himself against the best boxer of his generation.
“Mayweather may not be around for long. I want my shot,” said Khan, who had been linked to revenge missions against the two men to beat him at 140 in Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson.
“The world’s talking about the (Mayweather) fight. Garcia (and) Peterson will be around till I’m around for rematches.
“(Zab) Judah caused big problems with speed and movement against Floyd for twelve rounds, but only lasted five rounds against me (so) styles make fights.
“Garcia and Peterson will be around much longer than Floyd Mayweather in boxing (and) I will take rematches with both at 147.
“My natural weight is 153lbs (and I have) never touched (the) canvas at that weight. (At) 140 I kill myself making it (and) I’ve been this weight since 2009, (but I am now) WBC #2 at 147.”
The Olympic silver medallist is set to return to the ring in December, which will now be his debut at welterweight – with a shot against Mayweather a big possibility if Khan can maybe pick up a world title upon his returns to the US after fighting at home last month.
The likes of Paulie Malignaggi or Devon Alexander will be the obvious targets for Khan, although a defeat would be unthinkable at this stage of his career and would certainly spell the end of any Mayweather plans.
The next choice of opponent will be the biggest decision of his career as ‘King’ Khan joins the queue of contenders to face the pound for pound best, with 154lbs star Saul Alvarez widely tipped to be the next in line this September.
