By Pawel Pronishev
Next Saturday night in Washington, DC, WBA/IBF 140-pound champion Amir Khan will defend his titles against mandatory challenger Lamont Peterson. The fight is likely going to be the British boxer's last appearance at 140-pounds. Beyond Peterson, Khan is focused on securing a huge opportunity against WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2012. Khan revealed on BBC 5 Radio that Golden Boy Promotions has been talking to Mayweather about the fight. Mayweather returns on May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. No opponent has been set.
"Its the fight the world wants to see. Its a public demand fight. 2012 will be a massive year for me and we will fight Floyd Mayweather. The talks have been going through Golden Boy. They have been speaking to his team. They want the fight and so does I. I want to get Lamont Peterson and hopefully get a date in 2012 with Floyd Mayweather," Khan said.
Mayweather is trying to get a fight with Manny Pacquiao, Khan's stablemate at California's Wild Card Gym. If a deal for Pacquiao can't be reached, Khan regards himself as the next best option for May.
"On paper I'm the best he could face, if he doesn't face Manny Pacquiao. If I didn't think I could beat Floyd Mayweather and I didn't have the style, the speed and the power to beat him - then I wouldn't even be talking about it. I'm don't want to be a challenger going into these fights. I want to be a champion and the winner. I know that Floyd has never faced the speed and the power than I have. I have the best trainer in the world, in my corner, who will give me the right instructions to beat him," Khan said.