When it comes to the fighting Mayweather family, former IBO junior lightweight champion and present-day trainer Jeff may be considered the most mild-mannered of the bunch, but that doesn?t mean he isn?t without his moments of outspokenness.
When it comes to former junior welterweight champion Amir Khan, I have always noticed Mayweather not being overly-impressed by the British star.
This past weekend saw Khan lose his WBA and IBF titles in a firefight with determined challenger Lamont Peterson in Washington, D.C. After twelve spirited rounds, Peterson walked away with a split-decision verdict in his hometown and a rematch between the two pugilists seems to be on the horizon.
Taking in the action, Mayweather feels the fight was almost too close to call, yet doesn?t point blame to referee Joe Cooper, who took some heat for the manner in which he deducted two points from Khan for pushing off on Peterson.
?I thought the fight was close. The fight could have went either way, just like it did,? stated Jeff. ?It?s a fight that either guy could have won, it just so happened that [Peterson] won. Of course people are going to say it was home cooking but Amir Khan wasn?t doing nothing but running.? Advertisement
Khan?s stock was at an all-time high coming off of his July stoppage over former champ Zab Judah yet there was never a time that Mayweather seemed to be swayed by the 25-year old.
?I?ve always said he was overrated,? Mayweather continued. ?He?s a glorified amateur. He fights just like an amateur. I?ve never been taken back by him. He has exceptional hand speed and he showed tremendous heart against [Marcos] Maidana.?
Khan had expressed serious interest in a fight with Jeff?s nephew Floyd Mayweather Jr. but such a proposition is far from reality given his latest setback. Even before the Peterson melee, Jeff was never convinced that Khan had much going for him if faced against Junior.
?He wouldn?t have a chance against Floyd. He?s a guy that has fast hands and that?s it. There?s nothing special about him other than his hand speed,? Mayweather added.
But that doesn?t mean that Mayweather has completely written Khan off.
