IT looks as if Amir Khan may be fighting Joel Casamayor next up on July 31, over here in the UK. Casamayor has been a fine fighter over the years; some great performances and a few big fights along the way have earned him a reputation of being a very tricky, slick operator.
But is this the fight Khan should be taking when his trainer Freddie Roach and the man himself talk of big fights and becoming a superstar in the game?
Casamayor?s best days were at super-feather and lightweight, where he won world titles in each division. He lost his WBA super-feather title to the exciting Brazilian Acelino Freitas and later gained the WBC lightweight championship after beating the even more exciting Diego Corrales to go 2-1 up in their rubber match.
Joel?s been very inactive over the last few years and his last significant win was a tremendous victory against Michael Katsidis over two years ago.
Casamayor is 38 now and, at around 5ft 7ins and moving up another division, is going to be a big underdog.
He was stopped in 2008 by Juan Manuel Marquez and has only had one soft fight back.
He won?t be able to live with Khan?s speed and use of range.
It?s not a fight I?m particularly bothered about seeing, but it?s a fight I totally understand. Casamayor represents a great name on the CV with little risk for a good payday. But there are other fights out there that would present Amir with more of a test, more of an education on his path toward the greatness he desires.
For many, he still hasn?t cleared up the domestic issue that is John Murray.
As we all know Murray is strong, aggressive and exciting. Him against Khan would make for a great fight over here in the UK, a natural some would say. It?s a fight I would like to see.
I don?t think Murray has actually done anything to deserve a crack at a world title, but that hasn?t stopped plenty of boxers in the past from challenging and winning championships. Khan himself wasn?t the most worthy of world title challengers ? it?s all about grabbing that opportunity if your management can work it for you.
Murray has the style to make it exciting, if he can close the range down quick enough, as Khan will no doubt be on ?hyper speed? as he hits and moves from the first bell.
As a marking-time fight, before the big clashes come and to develop more as a fighter, I think Murray would be a good choice as a fight for Khan. If he beats Murray then I think he could open himself up to a lot more fans over here in the UK.
The fight I think SHOULD be made right now for Khan is against Michael Katsidis.
The Aussie is well known, well respected and coming fresh off destroying a British fighter who had been calling Khan out himself in Kevin Mitchell.
Katsidis has had some great wars over the years and is the closest thing the game has these days to the late Arturo Gatti. He?s fought at an elite level too although he was beaten by both Casamayor and Juan Diaz.
It?s a great fight for Khan to make his mark on the world scene. He?d be facing a dangerous, come-forward puncher who always makes a fight exciting.
However, Katsidis can be outboxed. Amir is a great boxer, has the tools to make Katsidis fall short with everything and eat everything that Khan throws back. Khan could look superb in this fight as the Aussie probably wouldn?t see most of the shots coming his way.
The only problem for Khan would be if Katsidis lands cleanly at any point during the fight. No doubt in my mind, if Katsidis lands, he knocks Amir Khan out. That?s what will make this fight even more intriguing because you know that Katsidis will just keep walking forward charging at Khan until he either can take no more of Khan?s counters, or he knocks Amir out.
Khan v Katsidis. That?s the fight I want to see most!
