By Edward Chaykovsky
Amir Khan (30-3, 19KOs) is not overlooking the challenge of Chris Algieri, the former WBO junior welterweight champion, when they collide on May 29th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The fight will headline a Premier Boxing Champions events on Spike TV.
Khan has his eyes set on facing WBO/WBA/WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September. He says a loss to Algieri would wipe away that dream for good.
"Winning this fight is everything to me. I'm not looking past this Chris Algieri fight. I know it's a very dangerous fight for me. Stylistically he's very dangerous and I'm not going to be looking past it. If I do, I'll have made a mistake," Khan said.
"I have to be focused. I have to be disciplined in training camp, not looking past this Chris Algieri fight. I know there are big fights out there like Mayweather. I just have to stay focused and win this fight and go from there really.
Khan explained what makes Algieri, not regarded as a hard puncher, a very dangerous opponent.
"Technically I think overall he's a very good boxer, moves well. He makes a lot of fighters fall short. He's very skillful. You have to be on your "A" game to beat him," Algieri said.
"I've been watching a lot of videos. Even the Pacquiao fight, there's some good things he did there. It could be dangerous for me coming into this fight if I'm not on my "A" game. I have to be one step ahead and make sure I don't make any mistakes. Chris Algieri is a guy that if you make a mistake, he's going to make you pay for it."
