Amir Khan Explains Why He Deserves Mayweather Shot

Published Thu Feb 6, 2014, 4:08 PM

Former champion Amir Khan is rallying his fans on the social networks. A few days ago, WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. asked the fans to select his next opponent - and the two choices provided were Khan and WBA champion Marcos Maidana. After setting up a poll, Maidana got off to a very large lead. But Khan's followers came roaring back in the last two days, with the British fighter now holding a minor edge in the latest poll result.

Mayweather is scheduled to fight again on May 3rd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. As the weekend approaches, Khan took to the social networks to explain why he, and not Maidana, deserves the shot at Mayweather.

"Why would mayweather even consider putting Maidana in the mix? [Maidana has] slow hands, slow feet. [The] only thing he brings to the table is power. I agree he beat [Adrien] Broner. We have seen how Mayweather deals with power - example given - Canelo. Let Broner have his rematch [against Maidana] on the undercard of Khan vs. Mayweather."

"I bring speed, explosiveness, power and footwork to the table. Look back at quick opponents Mayweather has fought in the past.. Judah, Oscar De La Hoya.... both had speed and [they] were close fights. Floyd did say he needs fans to see him knocking someone out because his fights are boring. So no wonder he's know wanting to fight Maidana."

"I'm ready and been in gym for the last 6 months. At 147 you will see a different, stronger Amir Khan. Ok, let's talk about the chin which I always laugh about. Killing yourself while making weight makes your punch resistance poor. I've been killing myself making 140 lbs and should of moved up. The day before the weigh-in I've been 12 pounds over. Not good. I've taken the biggest shots from likes of Maidana with 30 KO's under his belt, who people say is the biggest puncher and I didn't go down, but then [Julio] Diaz puts me down with a little shot. Even though my balance off and I was on one foot it's cool....I'll take it."

"So this proves weight making is the problem [with my punch resistance]. Another example, Angulo and Ward have hit me with big shots and I've stood in front and not gone down. They carry 25 lbs over me and are big punchers. This is because I'm at my natural weight. It's in the fans' hands who they want to see me fight. If it's not me [against Mayweather] then good luck to whoever it is."