Khan's Father: March Return Next, Then Garcia or Brook Shot

By Edward Chaykovsky

Shah Khan, father and career manager for former world champion Amir Khan (31-3, 19KOs), says an early March return is being worked out with the boxer's adviser, Al Haymon.

Khan has been inactive since a May 2015 decision win over former 140-pound champion Chris Algieri.

The British star had wasted months of his time while chasing lucrative opportunities against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. Khan was a leading candidate for both boxers. Mayweather passed him over in favor of Andre Berto for last September, and Pacquiao elected to make a trilogy fight with Timothy Bradley for April 9th.

While the March return is still being worked out, Shah indicates that his son will take part in a huge fight in the summer - against one of two opponents. Khan will either have a rematch with WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia or have a domestic grudge match with IBF champion Kell Brook.

Khan's fight with Garcia is guaranteed - unless the Garcia vacates the belt. The World Boxing Council has ordered Garcia to make a mandatory defense against Khan before the month of June. Garcia stopped Khan in four rounds when they faced each other in a junior welterweight unification in 2012.

In terms of Brook, there are ongoing discussions between Khan's team and Brook's promoter Eddie Hearn. Brook will first make a mandatory defense of his title on March 26th against Kevin Bizier.

Both Brook and Garcia are very realistic fights for the summer, says Shah.

“We’re looking at a date in the first two weeks of March, but we’ve not got an opponent confirmed yet. Al Haymon is looking into it and he will come to us as soon as he has something. The Garcia fight is what Amir is looking forward to. He has ­always wanted that fight and the WBC have mandated it now as well," Shah told The Mirror.

“Both fights – Garcia and Brook – could happen. There are still negotiations with Brook’s people, so nothing is confirmed. If that fight can be made, no problem, we will do that before Garcia maybe. The fighters will fight anybody as long as everything else is in place. Amir would love to fight Garcia because he made a mistake in the first fight and really wants to put it right.”