Amir Khan has denied reports that a fight with Chris Algieri has been finalised for the end of May, but Kell Brook still isn’t on his radar this year.
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Khan explained his situation to Boxing Scene, and made it clear that no agreement has been reached with Algieri despite the fact that he announced the fight in a video himself.
It is unclear as to whether that is down to pressure from the fans or other sources, but it appears as though Khan will still fight in May against either Algieri or Adrien Broner after he also claimed that he hadn’t heard from the IBF about an eliminator against Timothy Bradley.
The contradictions in Khan’s attempt to justify his plan continue to irk a significant amount of fans, although there are those that still argue in his favour.
While the 28-year-old has certainly fought better opposition over his career compared to Brook and is undoubtedly a bigger name in the USA, that shouldn’t be standing in the way of a domestic showdown unless he just doesn’t want the fight.
A bout with Algieri and Broner is pointless, as many will expect a Khan win in which he looks good and continues to tick over waiting for either Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao.
That is understandable to an extent, but there is no guarantee that it will happen and essentially Khan is turning down the fight that fans want, with a world title on the line and a $5m pay-day sitting there waiting for him at a sold-out Wembley Stadium.
Khan insists that two months isn’t enough to promote the fight, but judging from the growing reaction to the showdown, it won’t take long to sell it and ensure that it makes a lot of money for both parties and a world title and big fight win behind him would surely put him in a stronger position for Mayweather or Pacquiao.
His game-plan is simple, boring and yet understandable. Khan doesn’t want the fight with Brook because it is a dangerous fight against a heavy hitter. Instead, he will out-class either Algieri or Broner and continue to call out the two kings of the welterweight division.
While he claims that Brook and Eddie Hearn are disrespecting him, he is arguably disrespecting the entire division as he continues with his rhetoric of Mayweather and Pacquiao not even knowing Brook.
Given that the Sheffield-born fighter is the only other champion in their division, is unbeaten and continues to grow his profile with Showtime showing his last two fights, it is fair to say that Mayweather and Pacquiao are at least aware of him.
In short, although it is the fight that many want to see, Brook should move on and fight a big name this summer and eye a bout with the winner, or loser, of May 2 and forget Khan.
Khan is too quick and athletic for either Mayweather or Pacquiao to want to take that fight, and he is risking his reputation on a determination to finally push through a bout.
He may well end up regretting that strategy as in a couple of fights time depending on opposition, Brook may well be knocking on the door for bigger fights and he should be ahead in the queue with Khan wondering what if he had taken the opportunity when he had the chance.
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