As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, the upcoming showdown between Amir Khan and Samuel Vargas is likely going to become a final eliminator for a crack at the WBA "regular" welterweight title.
Khan expects the sanctioning body to approve that contest for the eliminator.
In his second fight of the year, Khan will face Vargas on September 8th in Birmingham.
The current WBA "regular" champion is currently Lucas Matthysse, who captured the belt earlier this year.
Matthysse will defend his title on July 14th, against eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao in Malaysia.
Khan and Pacquiao had trained together years ago, when both were under the umbrella of head trainer Freddie Roach.
Back in 2012, Khan parted ways with Roach and hired Virgil Hunter. He is currently trained by Joe Goossen. Pacquiao left Roach earlier this year, and is now being trained by best friend Buboy Fernandez.
Khan was scheduled to fight Pacquiao in April of 2017, but their contest fell apart only a few short weeks after being officially announced by both sides. The investors who promised to stake the contest were unable to provide any proof of funds. As a result, Pacquiao moved forward with a July 2017 clash with Jeff Horn - and suffered an upset decision loss to the Australian fighter.
Khan believes the bout with Vargas will be the perfect path to a clash with Pacquiao.
“We’ve tried to get the Manny Pacquiao fight for many years. We are going to force it. Manny Pacquiao or Lucas Matthysse, I’m forcing a position to be a world champion again. Because none of these world champions want to give me a chance so it’s like me forcing my way and becoming the mandatory, beating the guys on the way to those titles,” Khan said to Boxing News.
“It doesn’t matter, whoever wins that fight I’m going to fight. Matthysse in my opinion is a good fighter. A rugged fighter. Manny Pacquiao in my opinion is the best out of the two. So let’s see."
