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Home » Floyd Mayweather snub a bitter pill for Amin Khan to swallow

Floyd Mayweather snub a bitter pill for Amin Khan to swallow

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  • 3 min read

The 27-year-old was tipped as early as October 2013 to land the May 3 bout with the world number one. Ultimately, he lost out despite canceling a world title fight with Devon Alexander.

Khan was all set to battle Alexander for his IBF welterweight belt last December. Somewhere along the line, the former Olympic silver medallist was advised to wait it out for Mayweather. This has now cost the fighter dearly.

Losing a year of his career at this stage could have a devastating effect on Khan. He hasn’t fought since an unimpressive split decision victory over ex-135lb titlist Julio Diaz in Sheffield in April 2013.

Next year’s retirement plans are certainly out of the window if Khan wants to achieve anything long-lasting at his new weight of 147lbs.

But for now, Mayweather’s millions sail off into the distance and land in ex-opponent Marcos Maidana’s pocket.

The fact that Khan holds a win over Maidana will only hurt all the more as Mayweather decided against choosing the Bolton man despite a hefty triumph in an online poll on the official Mayweather Promotions website.

Upon making his official announcement that Maidana will face him at a venue yet to be decided formally, Mayweather then outlined how the voting system worked.

It may well have been something best-done pre-poll.

Mayweather, 37 this week, counted every single vote on all of his social media outlets, according to Golden Boy, who claimed that Maidana was the ‘overwhelming choice’ from over 100,000 comments from fans.

So, where does Khan go from here? – It is hard to say.

There has already been plenty of speculation surrounding a possible fight on the undercard against Adrien Broner. Still, somehow I can’t see an offer to play second fiddle to a clash he had his heart set on landing.

Khan has been putting his body through its paces to campaign at 147 for months. So continuing down that road looks like a safer option than a return to 140 or a catchweight.

That would potentially rule out redemption rematches with the last two fighters to overhaul Khan.

Considering light-welterweight belt holders Danny Garcia or Lamont Peterson would mean either may have to leave behind their championships.

Golden Boy does have plenty of options between 140 and 147, though, with Alexander possibly coming back into the frame or rejuvenating Luis Collazo, who beat Victor Ortiz impressively last time out.

Then there is also the potential for a return with Paulie Malignaggi, whom Khan defeated way back in 2010. Alternatively, maybe some lesser likely options of taking on big-punchers Keith Thurman or Lucas Matthysse.

Whatever happens in the immediate future, it will be intriguing to see how Khan reacts to all the furor surrounding Floyd Mayweather’s fight. It was basically sold as the done deal months prior but eventually failed to materialize.

Rival Maidana becomes the 46th to attempt to end Mayweather’s run, with some fans believe that the encounter style-wise is too similar to Floyd’s most recent bout with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

There are plenty that sees Khan as a sterner test than the Argentinian. But not many could make a case for Maidana not deserving his big chance on recent form alone.

It will surely be hard viewing for Khan on May 3, though, as Mayweather and Maidana take to the ring – as the talented boxer contemplates what might have been had the opportunity of his career not slipped through his grasp.

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