Dates and venues are still under discussion, but Las Vegas on May 15 has been pencilled in. All that is required now is the signature of of the boxers before Khan enters the toughest challenge of his career to date, against a proven world class boxer and thinker in the ring.
M?rquez the current World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation lightweight champion, who, at 36, is thirteen years Khan’s senior, would step up a weight to meet the British fighter at light-welterweight for this contest. The Bolton boxer will earn in the region of ?5 million.
Indeed, Khan’s WBA light-welterweight title, won last summer, may be taken from him for his inaugural contest on American soil, if the WBA take umbrage that he failed to meet the mandatory challenger, Marcus Maidana, of Argentina. That said, Golden Boy and the WBA may come to a compromise.
“We have made an offer to M?rquez, who is thinking about it, and hopefully we will find out in the coming days,” said Schaefer, confirming Las Vegas and the MGM Grand as the likely venue.
“A fight against M?rquez is a breakthrough as he is one of the best and Mexico’s No 1 active fighter. Once he wins against M?rquez there is the possibility of a fight against Zab Judah – and then Mayweather Jnr,” he added.
Khan, desperate to raise his profile in the US, indicated last week that M?rquez would be an ideal opponent for his first US battle. “It is my mission to fight men like M?rquez and that would be my dream fight in America.”
Yet what Khan must wary of is not biting off more than he can chew. M?rquez is still dangerous.
