Former world champion Amir Khan (31-4, 19 KOs) has mapped out his plans for 2018.
The Bolton boxer has been out of the ring since moving up to a catch-weight of 155-pounds and suffering a brutal knockout loss at the hands of then WBC middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Their bout headlined the first ever boxing event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Khan plans to return to the ring for a tuneup fight in March, and then wants to fight again in July and then a final year bout on a date in December.
While the subject has been approached, Khan has ruled out the possibility of fighting WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders.
Saunders' promoter Frank Warren likes that fight, but Khan intends to remain at the welterweight limit of 147-pounds.
“[He’s] too heavy. I’m sticking to 147-pounds,” Khan stated.
Having said that, it would also rule out a potential fight with domestic rival Kell Brook - unless the two sides can find a catch-weight. Brook is making his debut at the junior middleweight limit of 154-pounds this coming March, when he takes on Sergey Rabchenko.
One of the opponents on Khan's list is WBC, WBA welterweight world champion Keith Thurman. The fight has been kicked around here and there for the last few years, but now Khan wants to make that bout happen in his July return. Thurman, who is recovering from surgery for an elbow injury, is expected to return by April.
“I love the Thurman fight, after the March tune up,” Khan stated.
Another fighter Khan would love to settle the score with, is longime rival Adrien Broner, who has been out of the ring since losing a twelve round decision to Mikey Garcia in July. That contest would have to take place at the welterweight limit.
“I would love that at 147-pounds,” Khan said.