The Express follows Jeff Powell of the The Daily Mail in ratifying the date of May 3 for what will be a blockbuster clash in Las Vegas between two of the fastest fighters in the world today.
Khan, 26, had been lining up a world title challenge against IBF champion Devon Alexander and was said to be in advanced talks over the December bout in the US until the Mayweather opportunity came calling.
The Bolton fighter now gets the chance of a lifetime and a money-spinning payday, even though the one-time light-welterweight king has suffered indifferent form in the last two years.
Defeats firstly to Lamont Peterson, although somewhat controversially, followed by a convincing stoppage loss to Danny Garcia had left his career in tatters by mid-2012 and Khan has been tentatively nursed through the twelve months since then.
Carlos Molina and Julio Diaz are hardly the best preparation for his quest to be the first to defeat the all-conquering Mayweather, but Khan could not risk taking an interim fight as a fourth career loss would scupper his massive ‘Money’ encounter.
For many in the sport, Mayweather is seemingly taking an easy option in facing Khan, although nobody would begrudge the American that on the back of his dominant performance over Saul Alvarez.
The 36 year-old will aim to push his outstanding record to 46-0 with a win against Khan, with the oddsmakers already making Mayweather a 1/9 on favourite to retain his WBC welterweight belt.
Whether deserving or not, Khan is set to have plenty of time to get in the best shape of his life for next year’s contest as some predict his lightning fast hands could cause Mayweather problems that the current two-weight champion hasn’t come up against in recent years.
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