According to British star Amir Khan, his upcoming fight with Samuel Vargas could become a final eliminator for the WBA "regular" world title.
If that happens, and should Khan win, he would be in line for a showdown with the winner of the upcoming bout between WBA "regular" welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse and challenger Manny Pacquiao.
Khan resumed his career back in April, after a two year layoff, and he blew away Phil Lo Greco in less than 40 seconds.
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The contest with Vargas will take place in Birmingham on September 8, live on Sky Sports.
The showdown between Matthysse and Pacquiao will take place on July 15 (July 14 in the United States) in Malaysia.
"It's going to be amazing to get back in the ring, especially fighting in the UK again," Khan said to Sky Sports.
"I hope this fight lasts longer than my last. The Liverpool fans were amazing for the Lo Greco fight, but I believe Birmingham really can bring something special, these guys make noise.
"This can only take me on to bigger fights, for example, this fight will likely be an eliminator for the WBA title which Matthysse and Pacquiao fight for in July. We will fight the winner of that fight."
Should Khan and Pacquiao both win, it would create a matchup of former sparring partners.
They trained side by side for several years, when Freddie Roach was their mutual trainer.
Khan departed from Roach in 2012 and is currently handled by Joe Goossen, and Pacquiao left Roach earlier this year and is being handled by best friend Buboy Fernandez.
Khan and Pacquiao were scheduled to fight each other in April of last year, but the fight fell apart within weeks of being announced - when the financial backers were unable to show proof of the promised funds. Pacquiao would instead face Jeff Horn - and lose that bout in a huge upset decision in July of the same year.
