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Home » Fight, Name-drop or Avoid? – Assessing Amir Khan’s options

Fight, Name-drop or Avoid? – Assessing Amir Khan’s options

The 29 year-old has been linked to fighting Brook for more than three years since his UK rival first broke onto the world scene but has now dismissed the fight out of hand…and who can blame him?

Brook is one of the hardest punching welterweights around so Khan would be best advised to stay well clear of the IBF title holder when he finally returns to the sport from his recent devastation.

Keith Thurman, another banger, is also not mentioned by Khan as a potential future opponent as ex-foe Danny Garcia, and fighting legends Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao make up the shortlist of three. The final welterweight title holder – Jessie Vargas, is currently being linked to a unification with Brook, although could be a sound option for Khan if he could swoop in and steal Eddie Hearn’s thunder.

Khan against Cotto or Pacquiao wouldn’t be a bad move for the former Olympic silver medallist as their heavier-handed days are probably well behind them, although Garica did a number on the Bolton man last time out and could be a career-ender if a rematch is forthcoming.

Should Cotto or Pacquiao prove elusive, Khan may be best served building up to some of the bigger names around and possibly concentrate on a meeting with one of the lesser-known champions at 154 pounds.

Although WBO champion Liam Smith is a friend and resides at Khan’s gym with Joe Gallagher, a clash between the two remains a slight possibility, whilst either of the Charlo brothers, Erislandy Lara or Jack Culcay could also make interesting viewing.

Personally, I’d still rather see Khan take the rest of the year off to recover – mentally if anything else, from what was a sickening KO by Canelo that completely relieved him of his senses and kept him down for some time.

Judging by a recent media offensive, Khan seemingly wants to jump straight back in at the deep end though and hopefully that will be the correct decision for his career.

FIGHT         NAME-DROP AVOID

Jermell Charlo

Jermall Charlo

Liam Smith

Erislandy Lara

Jessie Vargas

Jack Culcay

Miguel Cotto

Manny Pacquiao

Danny Garcia

Kell Brook

Keith Thurman