By Mel Ohlhoft
WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan has promised to fight, and beat, Floyd Mayweather Jr. within twelve months time. Khan will defend his WBA/IBF junior welterweight titles on December 10 in the United States. He is scheduled to fight again in March 2012, likely in the UK, which is either going to be a final junior welterweight defense or the British boxer's expected debut at 147-pounds.
If everything goes as planned, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer has stated that a fight with Mayweather could take place in November of 2012. Because of the difficulties in finalizing a fight between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Golden Boy is building Khan as the next viable opponent for Floyd.
"Within the next twelve months I promise I'll beat Floyd Mayweather and I'll be the first to do so. Inshallah [if Allah wills]. Always a young lion coming through," Khan said.
Khan's plan can go out the window if WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz pulls off the upset on Mayweather, when the two fighters clash on September 17th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.