Hearn: I Definitely Don't Think Mayweather Fights Khan

by Rick Reeno

Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport has serious doubts about Floyd Mayweather's willingness to face Amir Khan on May 2nd of next year.

Hearn sat ringside on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and watched Khan dominate former two-division world champion Devon Alexander over twelve rounds.

Even prior to Khan's impressive performance with Alexander, Hearn had his doubts about Khan's ability to land Mayweather. Hearn is among the many who view Khan as a stylistic threat to Mayweather's undefeated 47-0 record.

"I always felt Amir was a very tough fight for Mayweather, and that's why I don't think he'll fight him. I didn't think he would fight him before tonight and I definitely don't think he'll fight him after tonight. It's not big enough to warrant the risk," Hearn told BoxingScene.com.

"You need a certain type of style to beat Amir Khan and Devon doesn't have it and I'm not sure if Floyd has it. You have to be a strong puncher and Devon obviously doesn't have [a strong punch]. The most impressive thing about Devon's assets was his quickness and Amir made Devon look slow."

Hearn is not an innocent bystander in the Mayweather-Khan discussions. If Mayweather decides to take a pass on Khan (30-3, 19KOs), Hearn believes the biggest possible opportunity for the Bolton fighter is a lucrative domestic showdown with IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook. Hearn's company promotes Brook (33-0, 22KOs).

Even Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya, who promotes Khan, recognizes Brook as the likely "Plan B" option if Mayweather goes in another direction.

"If the Manny [Pacquiao] fight happens [with Mayweather] then great. Then we move on to Plan B with Amir. And that Plan B, just thinking off the top of my head - is maybe Kell Brook at Wembley Stadium and fill it with 100,000 people. That would be a great event," De La Hoya said.

Brook would be a very big financial opportunity for Khan, says Hearn. And he strongly feels that even a Manny Pacquiao fight would be less lucrative for Khan.

"Brook is going to fight on March 7th. We could do it in the summer and I think it's too big not to," Hearn said.