Amir Khan’s goal for 2017 is to secure a big world title fight — but what are his chances, and who will it be against?
The former world light-welterweight champion is waiting for his adviser Al Haymon to come up with a warm-up opponent for April or May.
Khan (31-4, 19 KOs) has had his distractions outside the ring in recent weeks — including an alleged family bust up — but says he is focused on getting his career back on track.
The Briton has not fought since stepping up two weight divisions to challenge Mexican Saul Alvarez for his WBC world middleweight crown last May, when he was knocked out in the sixth round.
ESPN takes a look at some of his options…
The victor of the world welterweight title unification fight between American Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman (27-0, 22 KOs) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on March 4 now looks like being Khan’s No. 1 target for 2017.
After talks broke down about fighting British rival Kell Brook, Khan says he has always preferred a rematch with Garcia.
“They’re both big fights, both big-money fights, but the fight between me and Garcia is something that always hurts me,” Khan told the Sunday Mirror.
“I think Garcia is a harder fight than Kell Brook and it’s just that unfinished business I have with him.”
There are obstacles to making Khan-Brook — and less to making a bout with Garcia or Thurman, who like Khan are both managed/advised by Al Haymon.
For Khan, the perfect scenario would be for Garcia to beat Thurman for the WBC and WBA titles.
Khan suffered a crushing fourth round knockout loss to Garcia in July 2012 at light-welterweight but insists a rematch would be different.
“I’d be more focused and ready. I wasn’t serious going into the fight. So much was going on also,” Khan said.
The chances of Khan fighting Garcia or Thurman in the second half of 2017 are good: he is the No. 1 challenger for the WBC title, held by Garcia.
