By Lem Satterfield
LAS VEGAS -- WBA junior welterweight king, Amir Khan, told BoxingScene.com that he is ready to move on and to face another rival on July 23 if WBO and WBC counter part, Tim Bradley, does not materialize as his next opponent.
Golden Boy Promotions had imposed a deadline for earlier this week for Bradley (27-0, 11 knockouts) to finalize a contract to face Khan (25-1, 17 KOs).
"I want my chance to prove that I'm the best. And you know what? Tim Bradley knows himself that I can prove it. To be honest with you, I'm ready to fight whomever. But I can't believe that all of the talking that Bradley used to do, and now, he can't step up and be a man," said Khan.
"I've signed my part. I want to fight Tim Bradley on July 23. Plus, that's my television date. I'm ready to fight Bradley. I don't know what he's waiting on," said Khan. "Tim Bradley was talking a big fight. And now, all of a sudden, he doesn't want to fight. He's coming up with all of these excuses."
Among those being considered as alternatives for Khan, according to Golden Boy Promotions' CEO, Richard Schaefer, are three-time world champion, Erik Morales (51-7, 35 KOs), southpaw IBF champ and three-time titlist Zab Judah (41-6, 28 KOs), southpaw interim WBO and interim WBC lightweight champion Robert Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KOs).
A five-time titlist, Guerrero, like Khan and Morales, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, and Judah, by Kathy Duva of Main Events.
"If Tim Bradley doesn't want to fight, then I'm going to move on and fight somebody else," said Khan. "Because there are a few fighters that I have in mind, like Morales, Zab Judah and those guys."
As part of the agreement between Bradley's team and HBO, Bradley was guaranteed $1.2 million in his next fight following his Jan. 29, 11th-round, technical decision victory that dethroned southpaw WBC king Devon Alexander (21-1, 13 KOs).
Bradley's contract with promoter Gary Shaw runs out on this weekend, although there is a 30-day extended period through early June in which Shaw can match an offer from a rival promoter who might want to work with Bradley in the future.
Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Khan, and Top Rank Promotions, which handles eight-division and WBO welterweight titlist Manny Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs), have each said that they would welcome an opportunity to promote Bradley.